Last night at 12:30 AM EST, the tilt of the earth relative to its solar orbital position achieved the maximum declination in the Southern Hemisphere.
As a result, here in the Northern Hemisphere we will endure the minimum amount of daylight between sunrise and sunset.
It’s the official “first day” of Winter,” and the beginning of the next phase of seasons as defined by both scientists and theologians alike.
It is NOT coincidental that the winter holidays for most cultures occur during this period of extreme darkness. Even the most ancient societies realized the significance of this astronomical event and observed rites and rituals to herald the threshold of new light and a fresh calendar.
As we combat the darkness with holiday lights, it is good to pause and reflect on the upcoming new year, and begin to look forward the new Spring that will assuredly follow.
And despite the limitations on lumens, the inevitable arrival of our holidays will press us into action to get everything done that needs to be done.
So today will be a busy one and I need to get going.
Because daylight or not, I have plenty to do!
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