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Marking the Winter Solstice


Ever since the last part of the Stone Age, man has considered this day of the year to not only be a spiritual time of the year, but one that had many practical purposes. It was not only considered to be the day on which the sun was finally triumphant against the night, but was also used as a milestone to plan crop rotations and the mating of domestic animals.

When Winter Solstice occurs depends on which hemisphere you live in. If you live in the Southern Hemisphere, then it occurs in June. If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, then it occurs during the month of December. No matter which one you live in, however, you can rest assured that there is a festival or a celebration to mark this important day of the year. Burning The Clocks-This is a particularly interesting festival that was founded in 1994 in Brighton, England. During this festival, residents of the city gather together and craft lanterns made of paper and willow, that they then carry through the streets until they reach the beach, at which point the lanterns are burned to commemorate the end of the year. It occurs during the Winter Solstice every year and over 2,000 people take part in the festivities.

What are you doing to mark the beginning of lengthening days and shortening nights? Make it meaningful, make it fun and make it last! Into the light people. #Richmondpark