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It began as a simple solution to address an overwhelming phenomenon. The season of growth gave way to the season of harvest; a time to gather in all supplies and surplus for the long winter’s famine ahead. As northern hemisphere agrarians, they depended upon the soil and the Sun for their survival. But as the seasons turned toward winter, the soil hardened, while the Sun began its lowered descent in the winter sky.
solstitium Solstice
remains an annual celestial phenomenon that has captivated the human
spirit and its wonder throughout time. Simply put, the Earth –
as an imperfect spherical oval – continues on its elliptical journey
around the Sun, while rotating on its own axis. During its elliptical
voyage, the Earth gradually tilts toward (Summer Solstice) and away
from (Winter Solstice) the Sun at an angle of about 23.44 degrees. It
is this tilt that is the general cause of the seasons, rather than the
earth’s distance from the Sun. The term solstice derives from
the Latin words sol (Sun) and sistere (to stand still); it is when the
Sun seems to stand still in its declination. In other words, it is that
time of the year when its movement either north or south is minimal. For the
northern hemisphere, Summer Solstice occurs on or around June 21 of
each year; the days immediately before and after receive the longest
amount of sunlight. Winter Solstice for the northern hemisphere occurs
on or around December 21; the days immediately before and after receive
the least amount of sunlight. In particular, it is this Winter Solstice
phenomena that has intrigued and plagued humankind throughout its journey
over the centuries. As residents of a planet just a mere 93 million
miles from a Population I (third-generation) star, we are quite accustomed
to light and warmth. Gradually remove that light and warmth for a large
portion of any day and we tend to find ourselves nestled inside, either
under a cozy blanket or next to the hearth and/or heater. We are
creatures of the light and warmth, my friend; so much so, that when
denied this prolonged light, a good portion of the northern hemisphere’s
population will suffer from some mild to extreme form of seasonal affective
disorder (also known as winter depression or winter blues). This perennial
prolonged darkness, this solstice, has had such a profound impact on
humans that the majority of history’s cultures and religions can
trace the origins of one of its holidays, feasts or important ceremonies
to have begun near or on the Winter Solstice. From the ritual Lenaea,
the Festival of the Wild Women in Ancient Greece to the Inca
ceremony of Inti Raymi, The Festival of the Sun, cultures have
attempted to understand and embrace the darkness of the season. It was
even the Winter Solstice, this darkness, which spurred cultures and
religions to establish or adopt such nostalgic traditions and symbols
as the holly and ivy, mistletoe, the yule log, the giving of gifts,
magical reindeer and decorated evergreen trees. As I stated before,
many of these traditions, rituals and ceremonies seem to share a similar
goal: to remain in the light as long as possible or, at the very least,
to simply keep the darkness at bay. I do wholeheartedly
believe that we are creatures of warmth and light. We are well aware
of the childhood fear of the darkness and unknown that still lurks within
each of us. We know and seek out the comfort of standing at the bonfire’s
edge, palms outstretched, warming ourselves against Life’s chill.
We realize and embrace the joy of gathering around the hearth, singing
songs of warmer days and warmer moments in our life with friends. We
fully grasp the security of a well lit home on a long winter night.
And we fully appreciate the safety amidst loved ones during Life’s
darkest moments. Perhaps this is the beauty and benefit of the Winter
Solstice; a momentarily lull in which to assess all that is worthy,
loving, and noble in our life, amidst this backdrop of darkness. And
we reflect upon it, harvest it and hold it dear for the potential winter
famines that lie ahead in our life. As you
celebrate your personal traditions, ceremonies and rituals during these
darkest days of the year, my friend, I invite you to remind yourself
of why you began and continue celebrating these events... and immerse
yourself in them. Reclaim their warmth and intensity; light a candle,
sing a carol, reach out to another, throw on another log, lift a prayer
to the stars, and make and keep a resolution. Regardless of whether
these traditions or ceremonies are embraced so as to allow just a few
more moments in the Light’s glow or simply to keep the darkness
at a distance, the result is the same: your spirit is lightened and
enlightened. Envelope yourself with the warmth and light of this season
and rest easy knowing that just beyond the darkness, the seeds of a
new season and new Sun are preparing to emerge. ----- Post Note:
For the inquiring mind, the Winter Solstice is predicted to occur in
the northern hemisphere on the following dates and times during upcoming
years: 2007 December
22 @ 6:09 The times
above are in UT (Universal Time), which used to be called Greenwich
Mean Time or GMT. In North America, you can identify your local time
by subtracting: •
3 hours 30 minutes for Newfoundland time |
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Copyright
2006, Lee Hoedl, leehoedl@yahoo.com |