Here comes the sun! (
Cue the music -- with words..) or (
Same tune, no words)
Well, not today, if you're reading this on December 21. This will be the Northern Hemisphere's longest night of the year, Winter Solstice. From then on the days get longer.
The solstice has loads of names -- Midwinter, Yule, the Longest Night.
But for those of us who need our sunlight, even a minute more a day is welcome!
How might we celebrate this day? Well, traditionally, by feasting!
With its ties to the planet Saturn, the Romans called it Saturnalia, a time for gifts and banquets. In Scandinavia the Feast of Juul was held during this period and the tradition of the Yule log was part of the celebration. Iran, the festival of Yalda occurs durng the solstice where people spend the evening dining and enjoying poetry and sharing mythological stories.
In essence, the the solstice marks a time of spiritual rebirth.
The history of recognizing the solstice is almost as old as time. It marked the last feast celebration before winter set in. Astronomical events such as this often guided activities like animal mating and many traditions were derived from the event. Sites associated with Stonehenge offer early morning tours to mark the solstice and for guests to watch the early morning sunrise over the ancient stones.
If you live in the Southern Hemisphere, you are enjoying the longest day of the year on your summer solstice. And I might add, I'm a tad envious of all that sun!
Either way, we can all use a celebration and a bit of spiritual rebirth, especially as many of us have been dealing with long lines, lots of traffic and funky weather! So a toast to the solstice and the sun!
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30 comments:
Great pot. This is always an interesting day for me, as it's my birthday. As a kid I was sad because it was the shortest day of the year, but in the meantime I know it's the day after which the day get longer again. Have a great day, hugs, Valerie
I simply ADORE all those sun images. You must have a ton of them. Winter has arrived on my calendar, but not in my weather. I hope this is a day of renewal for you, too, dear Jeanie. Longer days will be here soon.
Hello Jeannie, I really enjoyed this post and just like you; I long for more light! Our grandson is arriving tomorrow, and then we will be with family for Christmas so I may not get back to see you until the New Year, but I wanted to wish you a Very Happy Christmas. Thanks for all your lovely posts this year and for visiting my blog. xx
I always forget about the solstice to be honest. But I am always glad when I know it has come so that the days will be longer :-)
Good morning Jeanie! I thought I noticed yesterday, when I got home from work, that it wasn't as dark as it had been! The days will be getting longer from now on, and that will be awesome. I love the sun, the love the cycles we celebrate. I like all your suns here! CHEERS TO THE LIGHT!
We're supposed to have lots of sun today, but not tomorrow. I think I noticed the snowy weather was over your world. Oh the sun. I am ready to get back to those long days of spring. Well I will be, once we get past the holidays. Happy Solstice Jeanie. Hugs-Erika
I'm happy to send you some sunshine, Jeannie, we have more than enough to spare, even in the middle of winter. Happy Holidays.
Amalia
xo
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, dear Jeanie! I have loved getting to know you through your blog. I hope to meet you in person someday.
I read your fascinating post with 'Bleak Midwinter' playing in the background - here's to the Solstice, Jeanie - and, while I'm here, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and everything good for the New Year x.
WONDERFUL post, Jeanie...and so lovely all the sun images! It's a great time to celebrate--lots of different ways too, love that! I have a hearty corn chowder ready for our evening meal tonight, and maybe a beer by the fire--our mini Juul fest. :) The sun is shining here today, which makes it extra special... as the sun while turn to last longer from today. Trying to enjoy winter now... but must admit I always look forward to warMth and spring again. ;) LOL... Happy Solstice! ((HUGS))
We eat pumpkin in the night of the winter solstice.
Hello, Happy 1st day of Winter. I am now looking forward to longer days of sunshine and Spring. I miss sunny Florida! Great post. Thanks always for your visits and comments this past year. Have a happy day and weekend ahead. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Jeanie, Happy Winter Solstice! I actually like the winter season. Of course, we don’t have harsh cold way down South like you experience! Thanks for sharing interesting info on how this day is celebrated!
We are in for a deep freeze at least till 2018..brrrrr..love the suns..super sunny and cold right now!
I left my message:)
Enjoy this post. There's something about the word solstice that has such a romantic connotation. Maybe because of all its history.
Have a jolly day.
Hope you're feeling well.
I must admit I'm still waiting for that sun to shine today!
I am so glad that today marks the shortest day of the year and that the hours of daylight will get longer now. I hate going to work and coming home from work in the dark/dusk. It just feels kind of depressing. The glow of the tree helps but I need my sunshine! But it's encouraging to know we'll start gaining daylight, even if it's just a minute a day!
And we have a bit of sun today, did not have that yesterday! haha....love all your pics of the sun! Nice job.
I love the Winter Solstice. My granddaughter's birthday is today. I call her my sunshine baby because her birthday marks the return of the sun. Enjoy the Solstice.
Happy Winter Solstice! This is going to feel like a very long day, as Joey has been insisting on me getting up before 5AM. I must say though that I never notice the days getting longer for quite awhile because winter always just seems to be too darn dark and long. But I will try to celebrate with candles lite.
Brightest blessings on this Solstice! We're having a bright sunny cheerful, ablbeit cold!, Solstice day today. Such a shame that it will be the shortest day this year!
Fabulous collection of suns ... I have several suns in my collection (including a few inked ones on my skin LOL).
Thank you for the lovely Solstice sounds and sights!
Hello, I popped over from Elizabeth's blog.
That reminds me that living in the Southern hemisphere, our days will start to get shorter...and I was just getting used to the nice long days. How sad!
Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
Oh I welcome extra daylight and any small amount of sunshine.
Interesting facts about the Winter Solstice. Your sun pictures are delightful, Jeanie. Yes, I'd love a chance to win your giveaway! Count me in!
~Sheri
A cold, dark, long night. I always enjoy Solstice - I think it speaks to our ancient selves. Looking forward to the days getting longer.
I love the word Soltice . . .
It always reminds me of Newgrange in Ireland . . .
Built many, many, MANY years ago . .
As you are led in to a narrow path to the center
You’ll see how the stones were shaped, placed just so
to receive the Soltice light . . .
Awe inspiring . . .
Happy Christmas Jeanie . . .
You've got quite a collection of suns there, Jeanie. They're beautiful. I don't like to have daylight at 10 pm but I'm also not a fan of darkness at 4 p.m. If we could choose, I'd take daylight from 6 am to 8 pm. That would be perfect. :)
xo Julia
Great post!
It is quite chilly here in Texas. I love that about this time of year. Great post.
What a fun post Jeanie! Our neighbor hosted a winter solstice celebration. We weren't able to go because we had tickets to Star Wars. I thought it was a fun idea though. I'm one of those girls who needs her sunshine. :) Thanks for sharing with SYC. Wishing you a very Happy New year!
hugs,
Jann
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