Winter officially begins on Dec. 21

 

December 19, 2019



Winter Solstice, the day winter officially begins. This year, solstice arrives on Saturday, Dec. 21, at 9:19 pm, MST, marking the first day of winter for everyone in the Northern Hemisphere. This is the day with the fewest hours of sunlight, and the longest night of the year. In this part of Montana, we will only get about 8 to 8.5 hours of daylight.

The solstice occurs on a specific day every single year, twice a year. Once in the Northern Hemisphere (on either Dec. 20 or 21) and once in the Southern Hemisphere (on either June 20 or 21). Winter Solstice is the opposite of Summer Solstice. So for us in the Northern Hemisphere, while we are experiencing the shortest day of the year; the Southern Hemisphere is experiencing the longest day of the year.

What many may not know is that the solstice falls on a specific time every year as well. That time corresponds to the exact moment when the North Pole’s tilt is aimed farthest away from the sun. A 23.5-degree tilt off the Earth’s vertical axis, to be more precise.

For some, this day just means a few long and dreary months are now ahead of them. However, for many religions and cultures it is a day that is celebrated and revered around the world. Since prehistory, Winter Solstice marks a significant time of the year because the following months (January through April for the Northern Hemisphere, and July through October for the Southern Hemisphere) were known as the “famine months.”

To ward off starvation, people were economically dependent on the season’s progress. For many, before the deep winter months hit, various solstice celebrations and rituals were held in hopes of the returning sun and new life. People today may be familiar with the tradition of lighting a yule log on the night of Winter Solstice, an allegorical approach to welcoming back the light.

Once Winter Solstice has come and gone, the number of daylight hours begins to increase, and our days gradually grow longer until we reach our Summer Solstice in June.

 

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