A Renegade Cowgirl

Winter Solstice occurs about December 20 or 21, when the sun is over the tropic of Capricorn. Winter Solstice is the longest night and the shortest day of the year. The lowest ebb of light means that light is returning. Yule is the return of the sun; the return of warmth and light.

The summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere occurs about June 21, when the sun is in the zenith at the tropic of Cancer;

The origin of the word solstice 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.

Some ancient cultures celebrated this solar event and constructed markers for the summer and winter solstice. Most know about Stonehenge and the Egyptian Pyramids.

Have you heard about Newgrange? (photo to left)

Newgrange is a beautiful megalithic site in Ireland. This huge circular stone structure is estimated to be 5,000 years old, older by centuries than Stonehenge, and even older than the Egyptian pyramids! It was built to receive a shaft of sunlight deep into its central chamber at dawn on winter solstice.

These ancients celebrated earth and planetary cycles. They honored the Earth, the Sun, and the Moon. Many medieval Catholic churches built solar observatories. The church needed astronomy to predict the date of Easter, so observatories were built in churches throughout Europe. A small hole in the roof admitted a beam of sunlight, which traced a path along the floor. This is called the meridian line, often marked by the Zodiac with inlays. This marked the position of the solstices, as well as noon every day.

Winter Solstice brings the ‘Return of the Sun’, crossing over with Christianity with the 'Return of the Son’ at Christmas. Winter Solstice marks the time of the birth of Jesus in Christianity.

Winter Solstice is a time of going within; of finding our center and looking towards the light. It’s a cycle of birth and death, strength and weakness, health and sickness, prosperity and poverty, and the harmony of change.

It’s the time of year to have family and friends around. It’s a time to share your food and warmth. It's time for candles and Christmas lights.

It's a magical time.

I wish you a Peaceful and Joyful Winter Solstice and Wonderful Holiday Season!