Hi Puzzlers,
Today is one of my husband’s favorite days, the first day of winter or Winter Solstice. He loves this day because summer begins tomorrow with the days getting longer and longer. The Winter Solstice marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. While researching this topic I found the Earth is actually closer to the sun in January than it is in June by three million miles! But, because of the way the earth tilts and depending on your hemisphere, those leaning farthest away from the sun get the Winter Solstice.
Even more amazing is the fact that ancient people who studied the stars and heavens (without all the sophisticated equipment we use today) could predict with complete accuracy when these changes would occur. They knew when the Winter Solstice would arrive and they knew the sunlight hours would slowly increase thereafter. WOW! That is surely a testament to the skills of observation. If you need proof check out Stonehenge in England or Newgrange Megalithic Passage Tomb in Ireland. “But not so many people are familiar with Newgrange, a beautiful megalithic site in Ireland. This huge circular stone structure is estimated to be 5,000 years old, older by centuries than Stonehenge, older than the Egyptian pyramids! It was built to receive a shaft of sunlight deep into its central chamber at dawn on winter solstice.”
“The winter solstice may have been immensely important because communities were not certain of living through the winter, and had to be prepared during the previous nine months. Starvation was common in winter between January and April, also known as the famine months. In temperate climates, the midwinter festival was the last feast celebration, before deep winter began. Most cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the winter, so it was almost the only time of year when a supply of fresh meat was available. The majority of wine and beer made during the year was finally fermented and ready for drinking at this time.”
Today is one of my husband’s favorite days, the first day of winter or Winter Solstice. He loves this day because summer begins tomorrow with the days getting longer and longer. The Winter Solstice marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. While researching this topic I found the Earth is actually closer to the sun in January than it is in June by three million miles! But, because of the way the earth tilts and depending on your hemisphere, those leaning farthest away from the sun get the Winter Solstice.
Even more amazing is the fact that ancient people who studied the stars and heavens (without all the sophisticated equipment we use today) could predict with complete accuracy when these changes would occur. They knew when the Winter Solstice would arrive and they knew the sunlight hours would slowly increase thereafter. WOW! That is surely a testament to the skills of observation. If you need proof check out Stonehenge in England or Newgrange Megalithic Passage Tomb in Ireland. “But not so many people are familiar with Newgrange, a beautiful megalithic site in Ireland. This huge circular stone structure is estimated to be 5,000 years old, older by centuries than Stonehenge, older than the Egyptian pyramids! It was built to receive a shaft of sunlight deep into its central chamber at dawn on winter solstice.”
“The winter solstice may have been immensely important because communities were not certain of living through the winter, and had to be prepared during the previous nine months. Starvation was common in winter between January and April, also known as the famine months. In temperate climates, the midwinter festival was the last feast celebration, before deep winter began. Most cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the winter, so it was almost the only time of year when a supply of fresh meat was available. The majority of wine and beer made during the year was finally fermented and ready for drinking at this time.”
Worldwide, interpretations of the winter solstice vary from culture to culture, but for most cultures it’s about the acceptance of rebirth. The rebirth concept is usually celebrated with holidays, festivals, gatherings, rituals or other celebrations around this time of year.
Happy Holidays!
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