Today is the day the sun stands still, at the southernmost point in its journey across the horizon. In my area of Alberta, the sun will rise today at 8:48 a.m., with the precise time of the solstice being 5: 04 a.m. Today we will have just 7 hours and 27 minutes of daylight. I like the winter solstice. It means we've made it through the longest darkness and things will start to get lighter again.But this year I think I will appreciate the stillness most of all. For a few days before and after the solstice, the sun appears to rise from the same spot on the horizon every day. Things slow down, and seemingly come to a halt for a little while, at least from the point of view of we humans standing on the earth and looking at the sun.
I think we could all use some of this stillness this year - I know I can. I need a respite from the onslaught of news, a hiatus from worry. A time to just appreciate that rest is good, that there is value in sitting still and in refraining from busy-ness. In a few days, the Sun will start rising northwards again, and there will be celebrations for the birth of a Son (coincidence? I don't think so.) But for now, for today, let's just be still and be thankful for a planet to live on and a distant star to keep us warm.
As for the challenges to come to move from darkness to light in this society, I'll think about that tomorrow.
Picture courtesy this website
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11 comments:
Beautiful post. Exactly what I was thinking. I'll be posting something similar shortly on my blog. I found you through "Learning to Step Lightly" and look forward to following your blog. :) A joyous Yule to you, and may the coming days be warm. :)
Lovely picture. Things always seem more still when there's snow. Maybe we'll get some this year in Oklahoma.
Hi Desiree - thanks for coming by and taking the time to comment. I'm looking forward to checking out your blog as well :)
Thanks Hausfrau - I forgot to post the link to the site where I got the picture - I've fixed that now. It is a lovely shot, isn't it? I hope you get a little snow there - it does make for a pretty scene that gives pause to stop and just look at it for a minute or two...
I'm heading outside soon (once it warms up to a mere -25C!) to take some pictures of the long shadows the sun makes on this the shortest day of the year....
Beautiful post indeed. I had not realised that today is winter solstice so I am glad I came to read today's post. Thanks for the reminder, Theresa...seems I better get out to the farm today after all.
May we all have a peaceful seasonal rebirth and come into the New Year full of joy in life and opportunity, even in struggle.
SO well said. Thank you for sharing this. :o)
no coincidence at all...
So on the dark night of the birth of the sun I wish you a merry winter solstice!
Beautiful. One of the few days I slept in. I missed the magical moment of the birth of a new season.
I've just discovered your blog through the Google Reader recommended blogs feature. We obviously share many interests and perspectives. Actually, I find it a little spooky - it seems we blog on all the same things.
I look forward to following your blog!
Bev
Thanks SBT - I hope you were able to make it out to the farm...
IsleDance - thanks, glad you enjoyed it :)
WMM - thanks to you too :) I remember when I first found out about the co-incidence of those events, I was quite awestruck.
Artby - It would be neat to have an actual horizon to watch on those days, but I'm all surrounded by trees. That's not so bad though! I didn't get outside either at sunrise. It had gotten so so cold (-40) that our front door wouldn't even open from all the frost that had surrounded the door jamb.
Hi Bev - thanks for coming by and commenting - I will have to check out your blog too and see just how spookily similar we are...:)
What a lovely post. Thanks for sharing with us.
Thanks RA - it was a good day :)
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