World

The winter solstice – the longest night of the year

first day of winter, also called the winter solstice, takes place this week across the country and the Northern Hemisphere.

Karen Graham

Published

December 19, 2022

Artists conception of the winter solstice sunrise over Fox Mound as seen from the Woodhenge timber circle circa 1000 CE at the Mississippian culture Cahokia Mounds site near Collinsville, Illinois. Source - Herb Roe, CC SA 4.0.

The first day of winter also called the winter solstice, takes place this week across the country and the Northern Hemisphere. The event begins at 4:48 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Dec. 21, according to the U.S. Naval Observatory.

There is a scientific explanation for what will happen The solstice occurs when either of Earth’s poles reaches its maximum tilt away from the Sun – in this case, 23.5 degrees, either toward or away from the sun, according to NPR.org.

This happens twice yearly, once in each hemisphere (Northern and Southern). For that hemisphere, the winter solstice is the day with the shortest period of daylight and the longest night of the year.

While we can calculate the exact time that the solstice occurs, direct observation of the solstice by amateurs is impossible because the Sun moves too slowly or appears to stand still.

The origin of solstice comes from the Latin word sol for sun, and sistere, which means “to come to a stop or make stand.”

Sunrise between the stones at Stonehenge on the Winter Solstice in the mid-1980s. Credit – Mark Grant, CC SA 2.5.

The historical importance of the winter solstice

The winter solstice has had a great deal of significance to many cultures historically, from the ancient Egyptians and Romans to many other cultures through the centuries.

Even today, besides the traditional winter holidays of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwansaa, and the New Year, many cultures around the world still celebrate the longest night of the year with unique winter solstice traditions.

Many traditions are tied to the yule celebration dating back to the Norse people who celebrated the sun’s rebirth for 12 days, it was also celebrated by Anglo-Saxon pagans.

According to the Roman author, naturalist and philosopher, Pliny the Elder, in Britain, druid priests would mark the important date by gathering mistletoe and sacrificing bulls

But in addition to the mistletoe and 12 days of Christmas festivities, several Christmas traditions, such as Yule logs and decorating trees, date back to Yule, which were later adopted by Christians.

In this article:ancient traditions, Decermber 21, longest night of the year, northern hemisphere, stonehenge, Wi9nter solstice, Yule celebration

Written By Karen Graham

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our dear friend Karen Graham, who served as Editor-at-Large at Digital Journal. She was 78 years old. Karen's view of what is happening in our world was colored by her love of history and how the past influences events taking place today. Her belief in humankind's part in the care of the planet and our environment has led her to focus on the need for action in dealing with climate change. It was said by Geoffrey C. Ward, "Journalism is merely history's first draft." Everyone who writes about what is happening today is indeed, writing a small part of our history.