Depending on which part of the world you live in, today you will either be celebrating the winter solstice or the summer solstice.
In the Northern hemisphere, the winter solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. The sun will appear at it’s lowest and most south point in the sky at precisely 12.11pm which officially begins the start of winter.
In the Southern hemisphere, the summer solstice will officially begin the start of summer with the longest day and shortest night of the year.
The next solstice will be on June 21 which will signify the start of the Summer in the northern hemisphere and the start of Winter in the Southern hemisphere.
For many years, cultures all around the world have celebrated the solstice, recognizing it as a period of rebirth, regeneration and the start of a new cycle.
Many cultures celebrate the solstice by lighting candles, giving gifts, dancing, drumming and making goals for the new cycle ahead. In fact, the tradition of Christmas all started as a celebration of the solstice which was marked by the Julian calendar to fall on December 25. It wasn’t until many years later that Christmas developed as a celebration of Jesus Christ’s birthday.
The solstice is a perfect time to close doors, heal wounds, start fresh, and look forward to the new year ahead.
