What is the winter solstice

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:43

Solstice is an astronomical phenomenon when the axis of rotation of our planet in relation to the Sun deviates to the greatest value. So, on the day of the winter solstice, the position of the Earth in orbit in relation to the Sun is on the right, and in the summer - on the left.

It is literally impossible to see the solstice with the naked eye. After all, the movement of the Sun in relation to the Earth is very slow. Therefore, it is also impossible to notice the moment when the object stopped moving. You can see the changes only when using astronomically verified equipment, watching the sunrise and sunset.

Winter Solstice

The winter solstice is the shortest day and the longest night. Depending on the time zone, this day may be December 21 or 22. And in the southern hemisphere, the winter solstice comes in the summer, in June (on the 21st or 22nd). In a leap year, this day falls on June 20 or 21.

Setting the date

Back in 45 BC, the winter solstice was set on December 25 in the Julian calendar. However, due to the difference between the tropical year (365, 2421.. days) and the calendar year (365, 2500days), for 4 centuries there was a shift. This date fell on December 12, in fact, there were 3 days for each century, which was not true.

This situation was resolved by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. But an error was made in the calculations, 10 days were canceled, which ran from the 4th to the 16th centuries, however, the period of the formation of Christian holidays was taken as a starting point. It turned out that the time from the 1st to the 4th centuries was not taken into account. As a result, they calculated that December 22 is the day of the winter solstice.

Historical value

For many peoples of the world, the solstice was an important moment of the year. There are many legends and myths around this date. Archaeological sites of the Neolithic and Bronze Age, the same Stonehenge, indicate that these structures indicate the sunset on the winter solstice. And the Irish Newgrange is oriented towards sunrise.

Besides this, for ancient people this day was a harbinger of winter, which should last up to 9 months, and there was no certainty that they were well prepared and had enough preparations. After all, the period from January to April is the hungriest, and few survived until the summer. Most of the domestic animals were slaughtered, as it was not possible to feed them for many months. But on the day of the winter solstice there was a holiday, and the largest amount of meat was eaten in comparison with the whole year.

In the future, this day became a cult and for many nations was the date of rebirth or the birth of the Gods. In many cultures, this day was the beginning of the cycliccalendar, for example, in Scotland begins a period of rebirth.

Slavs and Christians

Practically all Christian cultures (including the Orthodox Church before 1917) celebrate Christmas on this day.

According to the Julian calendar, this date falls on December 25 (the modern day of the celebration of the Nativity of Christ). And according to the Gregorian calendar, it falls on January 7th.

The ancient Slavs also noticed that after December 21 or 22, the day of the winter solstice, there are changes in nature. The night gradually became shorter and the day longer. On this day, they made conclusions about what kind of harvest to expect: if the trees were covered with frost, then there would definitely be a lot of grain.

In the 16th century, an interesting ritual appeared in Moscow. On the day of the solstice, the bell ringer came to the king and reported the good news that the nights would now be getting shorter, for this the king granted money to the attendant.

Chernobog

The pagan Slavs on the day of the winter solstice, the 21st, revered the formidable Karachun or Chernobog. It was believed that this is an underground god who commands frost. His servants were rod bears, which are associated with snowstorms, and wolves, that is, blizzards. Over time, Karachun and Frost became synonymous, but the latter image is more harmless and is just the lord of the winter cold.

Saint Anne

Christians on the day of the winter solstice in December 21 or 22 must remember the conception of the righteous Anna the Virgin (mother of the Virgin Mary). Not in Holy Scripturementions of the grandmother of Christ, however, in the protoevangelium there is data about this woman. She is described as very merciful and compassionate towards the poor. But she and her husband could not give birth to a child, and after many years of prayer, it was on December 21 that God's promise was fulfilled.

This is the most revered day for pregnant women, they definitely had to fast, in no case could they do serious work, and if their head hurt, it was even forbidden to spin. It was believed that if a woman in demolition blows a fire in the stove, then the child will have a red mark on the body.

Young girls were already gathering to plan the celebration of Christmas. The housewives cleaned the houses, fed the pigs so that there was fresh meat for the holiday. It was not recommended to go hunting alone until the first shots were fired at Holy Baptism. It was believed that it was from the day of the winter solstice that wolves gathered in packs and attacked absolutely everyone.

Rites

Slavs have always believed that on the day of the Solstice you can change your own destiny, ask for a rich harvest, and if you enlist the support of higher powers, then any wish will come true. Many rituals and rituals have survived to this day and are held on the day of the winter solstice, from December 21 to 23, and are actually timed to coincide with the beginning of Christmas time.

It is on this day that you should map your plans and throw away all the old and unnecessary things. It is recommended to put things in order in your thoughts, forget about insults and pray more.

In some villages remainedOld Slavic tradition to kindle a ritual fire, which symbolizes the rebirth of the power of the Sun. Also, earlier old trees were “decorated” with pies and bread, branches were watered with nectars and drinks. This was done in order to propitiate the Gods, who will give a wonderful harvest.

Divination

Young girls on the longest night of the year can safely guess. It was believed that on this day the cards "speak" only the truth.

Another divination that has survived to this day. At night, the girl wrote the names of the guys on pieces of paper, mixed them up and put them under the pillow. At the same time, she read the words that the darling would appear in a dream, and a treat was promised to him. In the morning, before getting out of bed, it was necessary to get one piece of paper at random. And the name that will be on it will belong to her betrothed. The main thing is that the girl fulfill her promise and treat the guy with pies.

Signs

Signs of this day: if there is a lot of snow in the yard, then you should not wait for the harvest, and vice versa, a small amount - to a rich harvest. And if a woman asks for a child on this day, then God will definitely give it.

Windless weather testifies to a good harvest of fruit trees. If the day of the Solstice turned out to be windy or cloudy, there is a thaw, then for the New Year there will be gloomy weather, and if clear, then frosty. If it rains, then be wet spring.

Interesting weather prediction from the winter solstice, but starting from December 25th. So the 25th corresponds to January, what will the weather be likeon this day, it will be the same in the first month of the year, if it rains, then January will be rainy. December 26 is February, December 27 is March, and so on.

This day in the culture of different countries

Practically all the peoples of the world believed that, no matter what date the winter solstice is, absolutely all barriers between the world of the living and the ghosts are erased during this period. That is, it is at this time that you can freely communicate with the Gods and spirits.

For example, the inhabitants of Germany and partially Europe believed that it was on the night of the Yule holiday that all the worlds (living and dead) converge in Midgar. And a person can communicate not only with elves and trolls, but also with the Gods.

And in Scotland, a rather unusual ritual was carried out: a burning wheel was launched from the mountain, resembling a fiery luminary from afar. It could be an ordinary barrel, which was smeared with resin. The ritual symbolized the Solstice.

China has 24 calendar seasons. Winter is associated with the rise of male power, and it was an omen of the beginning of a new cycle. On the day when it was the winter solstice, everyone celebrated: both commoners and the emperor. The border was closed, there was a general holiday. Sacrifices were made to the god of heaven. Beans and rice were eaten in large quantities, it was believed that these dishes could save from evil spirits, they also symbolized prosperity in the house.

In Hindus this day is called Sankranti. On the eve of the celebration, bonfires were lit, and the flame of fire was associated with the rays of the Sun, warming the Earth.

Which day is the winter solstice

This year the Solstice will come on December 21st. The Solstice falls on the same date from 2020 to 2022. In 2019, the winter solstice will be on December 22.