At 4:22 West Coast Time today, we will pass the Winter Solstice. The darkest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, it alwasy puts my in a reflective mood. Where I live, in Seattle, it doesn't get cold, although we have had a very rough fall so far. And yet, there are a few plants that seem to hold the promise of springtime already, with buds on their branches. Staring into the abyss as many of us are, and as our nation is, we can hold fast to those little glimpses of hope. Even on the darkest day of the year, there is still a little light, even if you have to light it yourself. We must not give in to hopelessness, but rather stare fearlessly into the farkness. We are sparks, and we are reflections, we bring light, and we magnify the light that comes through Nature. I wish you all peace in this day...
And now, a little Astronomy. This is from Matt Rosenberg:
On December 21, there are 24 hours of daylight south of the Antarctic Circle (66.5° south of the equator) and 24 hours of darkness north of the Arctic Circle (66.5° north of the equator). The sun's rays are directly overhead along the Tropic of Capricorn (the latitude line at 23.5° south, passing through Brazil, South Africa, and Australia) on December 21.
And Finally, A poem by Susan Cooper:
The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper
So the shortest day came, and the year died,
And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world
Came people singing, dancing,
To drive the dark away.
They lighted candles in the winter trees;
They hung their homes with evergreen;
They burned beseeching fires all night long
To keep the year alive,
And when the new year's sunshine blazed awake
They shouted, reveling.
Through all the frosty ages you can hear them
Echoing behind us - Listen!!
All the long echoes sing the same delight,
This shortest day,
As promise wakens in the sleeping land:
They carol, fest, give thanks,
And dearly love their friends,
And hope for peace.
And so do we, here, now,
This year and every year.
Welcome Yule!!