The
Winter Solstice
The winter solstice occurs in 2008 on Sunday, December 21, at 4:04am PST; 12:04 UT, when the Sun enters the sign of Capricorn. This is considered the shortest day of the year for those north of the equator. It's the time when the Sun appears at its southernmost point in its path around the sky. At this time the Sun has the least amount of distance to travel from horizon to horizon, hence the shorter the day.
Solstice means "Sun stands still". The Sun's path stops shifting far south in the winter and stands still readying itself to move northward (vice versa in summer).
The
Sun and Moon at the Winter Solstice
Image:
Star
Gazer graphic made with TheSky
Astronomy Software
Positions shown at one hour intervals
for mid Northern latitudes.
The Paths of the Sun and Moon
At the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere the Sun's annual path across the sky is at its lowest, or closest to the southern horizon, while the Moon's path is at its highest north. The Sun and Moon appear to reverse positions at the summer solstice with the Sun at its highest north and the Moon at it's lowest south. Image
Within each month the Moon has a northern and southern range of moonrise / set points. It is at its highest one day and two weeks later at its lowest. It takes the Sun one year to accomplish this range of movement. This occurs because the Moon makes a full orbit around the Earth each month and follows a similar path across the sky that takes the Sun a year to complete.
Note: The Moon swings its highest for the year near the winter solstice and its lowest for the year near the summer solstice. We experienced an extreme high and low 18.6–19 year cycle in 2005 and 2006 called a lunar standstill season. See Moon Swings ~ Highs and Lows to learn more.
Does the Sun always rise in the east?
This photo by Anthony Ayiomamitis shows the wide swing of the rising Sun. In Athens, Greece the sunrise from southeast to northeast varies by more than 65 degrees. The Sun rises due east only at the time of the spring and autumn equinox.
Hmmm ... Why are there 8 shortest days?!?!
San Francisco Sun Data for December 2008 shows there are 8 shortest days, each with 9 hours and 33 minutes of daylight, December 17–24!
This occurs because the declination of the Sun changes or varies only slightly during the solstices. The analemma, an unsymmetrical figure-8 shape of the Sun’s daily position at the same time, illustrates this concept with its flattening at both ends.
The length of daylight (as measured in minutes) is pretty much the same for several days or more, both at the winter and also the summer solstice. If you were to do the calculations down to the exact second of time, then the shortest amount of daylight would coincide with the time of the solstice. Thank-you James Davis and Joe Rao / NightSky Feature for these valued insights.
BTW: If the first days of December feel shorter than the days around the solstice, it’s because the Sun sets earlier in the beginning of December. Most people gauge the length of a day by the time of the sunset. To find the total hours and minutes of daylight you must know when the Sun rises and sets.
Why isn't the earliest sunset on the shortest day?
This link is bound to expand your horizons.
Warning: You may not achieve full understanding.
Important Concept: The day as measured from true solar noon
to true solar noon exceeds 24 hours near the solstices.
Spiritual Significance of the Winter Solstice
Global Meditations ~ Winter Solstice
Planetary
Solstice Meditation
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Solstice Exact: 4:04am
PST; 12:04 UT
Sunset Saturday, 12/20 - Sunset Sunday 12/21
The Spiritual
Hierarchy enters meditation
in
preparation for the outpouring of Wesak
energies.
You are invited to participate in this receptive
planetary meditation and align with the new
potent cycle of spiritual approach.
Join anytime within this 24-hour period.
Use a candle or light in a window to
represent the spirit being invoked. This
is an opportunity to become aware
of
the cosmic energies that are influencing
us and the possibilities they offer
humanity for spiritual evolution.
Global
Solstice Sunrise Meditation
Sunday, December 21, 2008
10 minutes before and after sunrise
Participants
in this World Unity Celebration
tune into the planetary collective consciousness
meditating on "Unifying
the World as One in Peace
with
Our Love". Focus on healing ourselves and our planet.
Global
Solstice Meditation
Sunday, December 21, 2008 - Anytime
For the Oceans and
the Cetaceans
This
beautiful meditation includes
stunning pictures, inspirational words and
18 minutes of wonderful music. Anyone who
participates sends as well as receives
a healing!
Worldwide
Didgeridoo Meditation
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Sunset your time
This
meditation is a worldwide link-up of people
supporting environmental and personal awareness.
It is held on the equinoxes and solstices.
Starting at sunset participants are asked to play or
listen to meditative music (preferably didgeridoos)
for 45 minutes and then to sit silently for 15 minutes.
Participants Worldwide
Candle
Night Winter Solstice 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
8:00pm-10:00pm your time
Candle
Night is a biannual event that has
been held since 2003. Spend an evening
by candle light and take a break from the hectic
pace of your everyday life. You don't have to
turn off your power, just your lights.
Lots of ideas about how to enjoy this evening
are included on the Candle Night website.
Global
Minute for Peace Day
Monday,
December 22, 2008
Unite
as one human family and use the power of Spirit
to solve the problem of the sword. Take a minute to
meditate and pray for peace.
Let every radio and
TV station fill the day with minutes of music and
words that inspire peaceful actions.
Current and Ongoing Global Meditations
I'd
like to know your thoughts about The Night Sky and
if you'd like reminders to Look Up! ...
send me an email.
May your Night Sky traveling always be filled
with Celestial Delights and Treats!
Susan Sun
For a print-friendly version of this page, click here.
|
Inspired? We invite you to participate! There
are several ways to |