What Is Winter Solstice and Why Is It Important?

According to the astronomical definition, the season will officially begin in the Northern Hemisphere on Dec. 21, 2022: the shortest day of the year, known as the winter solstice. The weeks leading up to the winter solstice can feel long as days grow shorter and temperatures drop.The winter solstice, also called the hibernal solstice, occurs when either of Earth’s poles reaches its maximum tilt away from the Sun.

Dec. 21 is the shortest day of the year because during the winter solstice, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted 23.5 degrees away from the sun and the sun’s position is at its most southerly point, directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, which runs through Australia, Chile, southern Brazil and northern South Africa.

winter solstice, also called hibernal solstice, the two moments during the year when the path of the Sun in the sky is farthest south in the Northern Hemisphere (December 21 or 22) and farthest north in the Southern Hemisphere (June 20 or 21).

For the northern half of Earth (the Northern Hemisphere), the winter solstice occurs annually on December 21 or 22. (The Southern Hemisphere’s winter solstice occurs in June).

Winter Solstice is one the most powerful points of the year as the axis of the Earth pauses, shifts and moves in the opposite direction. For three days around the solstice points we experience the power of the standstill point and the shift of direction.

During this season, people tend to feel better and have a slight elevation in their mood. This may be because the additional sunlight helps to regulate our internal clock, known as circadian rhythm because our eyes’ light receptors have an easier time recognizing when it’s time to wake up and fall asleep.

The summer solstice occurs at the moment the earth’s tilt toward/from the sun is at a maximum. Therefore, on the day of the summer solstice, the sun appears at its highest elevation with a noontime position that changes very little for several days before and after the summer solstice.

The Winter Solstice falls on the shortest day of the year (21st December) and was celebrated in Britain long before the arrival of Christianity. The Druids (Celtic priests) would cut the mistletoe that grew on the oak tree and give it as a blessing.

It’s common to think that the days get shorter in the winter, but the opposite is true. The shortest day of the year is the first day of winter, after which the days get progressively longer. The first day of winter is called the winter solstice and it’s an astronomical event which occurs this year in Arizona on Dec.

Yes, it does symbolize the beginning of winter, and it is the longest night and shortest day of the year. But as a holiday, it gets lost in the madness of Christmas.

The Pagan celebration of Winter Solstice (also known as Yule) is one of the oldest winter celebrations in the world. The celebration of Winter Solstice takes place on the shortest day and longest night of the year.

Holly, ivy and mistletoe are the three sacred plants of Yule. Each plant has its own lore and magic but the three together represent hope of new life in the winter’s darkness. Winter Solstice is a joyful festival, celebrating the return of the Sun God.

Featured Photo by Elisa Coluccia on Unsplash