The
Winter Solstice
The winter solstice occurs in 2011 on Wednesday, December 21, at 9:30pm PST (05:30 UT 12/22 Thursday), 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 7 shortest days?!?!
San Francisco Sun Data for December 2011 shows there are 7 shortest days, each with 9 hours and 33 minutes of daylight, December 18–24!
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 / SPACE.com Skywatching Columnist 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 ~ December Solstice
Planetary
Solstice Meditation
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Exact: 9:30pm PST (05:30 UT 12/22
Thursday)
Sunset
Wednesday, 12/21 - Sunset Thursday 12/22
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 Meditation
Thursday,
December 22,, 2011
Exact: 05:30 UT (9:30pm
PST 12/21 Wednesday)
Join
the ninth step in a series of 12 globally
synchronized meditations by EarthRainbowNetwork.
These celebrate the last 12 solstices and
equinoxes before December 21, 2012.
They help stir the remembrance of Who We Are.
" Remembrance Key" meditation is provided
for the exact moment of the solstice.
"I Am Healing"
(If
you miss the exact moment,
“stir the remembrance" anytime!)
Global
Solar Wave Celebration
December Solstice
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Sunrise or Out Under the Sun
Global
Solar Wave Celebration calls all light workers
and way-showers to SHINE ~ SERVE ~ SHARE with
the WORLD! Join together in an awakening,
unstoppable Solar Wave of joyful celebration
and heart Centered Community Service.
Gather for a sunrise ceremony or plan
a gathering out under the Sun.
Network this event in your area.
Solar Meditations are included.
Global
Sunrise Time
Global
Solstice Sunrise / Sunset Meditation
December Solstice
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Participants
in this World Unity Celebration
TuneIn and SoulConnect 10 minutes before
the sunset or sunrise till 10 minutes after.
One opens the heart to the flow of Universal
Unconditional Love to heal oneself,
all of humanity and the planet.
Global
Solstice Meditation
For the Oceans and the Cetaceans
December Solstice
Anytime
This
is a beautiful meditation that
includes stunning pictures,
inspirational words and
18 minutes of wonderful music.
Anyone who participates will be
sending as well as receiving a healing!
Marine
Animal Meditation Music by Kauwila
Worldwide
Didgeridoo Meditation
December Solstice at Sunset
(Dec. 22 in Australia's Time Zone)
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
December Solstice Evening
8:00pm-10:00pm your time
A “Candle
Night” can increase one's ability to
be still and know, therefore it is included
in this list of global meditations.
Spend an evening by candle light and
take a break from the everyday
hectic pace of life. Turn off lights;
light a candle; make Divine contact.
This biannual solstice event held since
2003, was originally initiated by
several of Japan's environmental non-
governmental organizations. Candle Night
is spreading from Japan to the world.
Lots of ideas about how to enjoy this evening
is included on the Candle Night website.
Winter
Solstice Gabriel Meditation
December 22-24, Thursday-Saturday
On
these three sacred days of the Solstice Festival,
call upon the Archangel Gabriel to illuminate your
mind, elevate your Soul, and grant you a Vision.
Seek the Vision of the Inner Sunrise in a late night
meditation. Allow the indigo blue of a clear, cold
starry night to permeate your consciousness.
More meditation details are included.
Learn about the science, mystery
and mysticism of the winter solstice.
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
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