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- Temperature: 21°F
- Barometer: 29.85 inHg
- Clouds: Overcast
- Wind: SSW at 4 mph
- Visibility: 10 miles
- Sunrise: 7:39 am GMT-8
- Sunset: 4:11 pm GMT-8
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Dec
22
Longest Night of the Year
Filed Under Journal
The shortest day of the year… has been celebrated in cultures the world over for thousands of years. This start of the solar year is a celebration of Light and the rebirth of the Sun. In old Europe, it was known as Yule, from the Norse, Jul, meaning wheel.
The sun appears at its lowest point in the sky, and its noontime elevation appears to be the same for several days before and after the solstice. Hence the origin of the word solstice, which comes from Latin solstitium, from sol, “sun” and -stitium, “a stoppage.” Following the winter solstice, the days begin to grow longer and the nights shorter.
I read that the winter solstice is sometimes referred to as beginning of midwinter, I like that. Even as the days begin to grow longer we still have a couple more months of winter to endure. With subtle lengthening of daylight hours it gives a sense of renewal.
Our winter solstice is starting off with the predication of more snow through Christmas day. This last week it warmed up and most of the snow in Spokane melted away. While at our house the snow melted and re-froze into a crust of white earth. Going down the driveway in the morning is like driving those little bumper cars that run on tracks with the added attraction of the bottom of the car hitting uneven crusted snow.
Enjoy your short sunlight and long evening.
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