Today is the shortest day in the northern hemisphere. The so called "winter solstice" is taking place, when the sun is standing low on the horizon; rising at 8.53 in the morning and setting at 15.41 in the afternoon, where I live. Indeed, with today’s cloud cover, it is truly a gloomy and very dark winter day. But, there is something to look forward to. From now on, the days will on average become about 3 minutes longer. Comes June and the return of summer solstice, we will have about 10 hours more of light per day. What a difference six months can make.
The return of the sun in December has been celebrated and observed in many cultures throughout the times. Interestingly, this year the winter solstice comes on a 4th Advent Sunday, when four candles are lit in advent candle holders or advent wreaths, meaning Christmas is truly knocking on the door.
9 comments:
Where I live, the difference is 13 hours between winter solstice and summer. And I sure am looking forward to the lengthening days! No wonder we light so many candles this time of year!
Great minds think alike :) Read my post for today.. xo
Keera, 13 hours! Wow, you must really have some white nights in June, it probably almost doesn't get dark.;)
I agree about the candles; have a really nice Christmas.;)
Diane, I agree; hope you and Ryan had a nice Sunday.;))
Three more minutes of daylight. :) I like the positivity of that sentiment! :)
Cairo, yes, that is the only way to survive those dark Scandinavian winters.;) Positive mindset and lots of candles.;))
That's fascinating about the shortened days. How big was it an adjustment for you when you moved to the United States then back again?
Michelle, to this day I miss the North Carolina climate. I miss the short, mild winters and the long, hot and humid summers.;) Miss them like crazy!
I will never quiet adapt to the Scandinavian weather; especially the lack of light is terrible. Having my roots in continental Europe, I prefer hot summers and cold winters.;)
Fascinating natural phenomena.Here in the tropics the sun is very predictable.We always have 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness every day a year.
Mahmud, there so much positive about living in the tropics; not just the warm weather but the constant light as well.
I guess though in some way I have gotten used to the excess of light here in June, to experience the white nights in the summer is something else.;))
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