Anyone ever wonder what a Solstice is? It seems not everyone understands the signifigance so I thought I would share some amazing information about it. I find it facinating and wish I knew more about it long before I learned.
This web site explains some of the different winter holidays that started with the early celebrations of Solstice. It is a very exciting read to see how so many people of different faiths can find so much in common with the symbolism and religious beliefs connected to a beautiful natural occurance in nature. Being in Real Estate, I think it is important to be aware of different faiths during this beautiful sharing of giving and rebirth, such a lovely time to reconnect with friends and family and enjoy company of our loved ones.
http://www.geomancy.org/astronomy/quarter-cross-quarter/winter-solstice/index.html
From Wikipedia:
The winter solstice occurs at the instant when the Sun's position in the sky is at its greatest angular distance on the other side of the equatorial plane from the observers hemisphere. Depending on the shift of the calendar, the event of the winter solstice occurs some time between December 20 and December 23 each year in the northern hemisphere, and between June 20 and June 23 in the southern hemisphere, during either the shortest day or the longest night of the year, which is not to be confused with the darkest day or night or the day with the earliest sunset or latest sunrise.
The seasonal significance of the winter solstice is in the reversal of the gradually lengthening nights and shortening days. How cultures interpret this is varied, since it is sometimes said to astronomically mark either the beginning or middle of a hemisphere's winter. Winter is a subjective term, so there is no scientifically established beginning or middle of winter but the winter solstice itself is clearly calculated to within a second. Though the winter solstice lasts an instant, the term is also colloquially used to refer to the full 24-hour period of the day on which it occurs.
Worldwide, interpretation of the event has varied from culture to culture, but most cultures have held a recognition of rebirth, involving holidays, festivals, gatherings, rituals or other celebrations around that time.[2]
The word solstice derives from Latin sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still).
So keep the yule log lit and enjoy the longest night of the year, I am having some coffee now so I can!!
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