Happy Winter Solstice

Today is the Solstice for Winter. There’s also one for Summer. “Solstice” ultimately derives from the Latin sōlstitium, which comes from the parts sōl, “sun,” and sistere, “to stand still.” This means that sōlstitium translates to “the standing still of the sun.

During a solstice, it looks like the sun stands still.

These two dates are roughly the same depending on the calendar (leap year plays a role). December 21 and June 21.

Between these two points, there are approximately 180 days when the Earth tilts toward or away from the sun. Halfway between these two solstices is the equinox. That’s where there is an equal amount of night and day. As with the solstice, these two dates are roughly 90 days after and before the solstice. March 21 and September 21.

These four dates are the start of the seasons.

The amount of day/night remains roughly the same at the equator. Twelve hours. But move toward the planet’s poles, and you will see a time when the sun sets for several months or stays in the sky for several months, during the solstice.

Fairbanks, Alaska experiences 
70 days of continuous daylight,
known as the Midnight Sun Season,
from around May 17 to July 27

Why is this important? It may mean nothing to you, but to me, it means a deeper understanding of the cosmos and the blue dot we call home.

Knowing today was the Winter Solstice, I woke thinking this is the shortest day of the year, and it only happens once per year, but it happens every year. I was born in January 1955. My first Winter Solstice (1955) until today (2024) was 25,204 days in the making. I’ve experienced 69 Winter Solstice. The most memorable were the ones in Alaska. In Anchorage, the sun rises at 10:10 a.m. and will set at 3:39 p.m.. Depending on the weather (it’s snowing there today), the sun is not appreciably noticed until it clears the mountains. In other words, go to work in the dark, enjoy lunch in the sun, and go home in the dark…

This happens every year, and I love it!

In the summer, the reverse is true. The sun will rise at about 4:20 a.m. and set at 11:42 p.m.

This repeats every year. And I Love It.

In Anchorage… I’m not so sure I’d care if I lived at the equator. Between the Solstice in Anchorage, there are roughly 13-14 hours more sun at the start of Summer than at the beginning of Winter.

But this brings me to my point. Every year repeats every day.

You can choose how to deal with life one day at a time, sweet Jesus. If you feel like a failure, mark the day done and know this day will repeat next year. Or, think of it as good and give yourself a treat! This same day comes around again next year. You get to try again. I know. I’ve lived nearly 70 years in this cycle.

It’s really up to you.

Thank you for reading.
Please share with others.
It helps me get my book written!

(Below, you may find other topics similar to this one. Please read on!)

By Michael Gurley

Making Sense of Life, One Thought at a Time!

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