Winter solstice

[greenilex]

Have just been told that I am in charge of collecting greenery to deck the hall (note singular)...

[JimD]

My only gold-painted glass does happen to be very small.
Perhaps I'll fill it a couple of times at opposite ends of the day...

The Solstice is strictly a moment, not a day. This year the Winter Solstice occurs at 23.38 on 21 December. So a good moment for a sip of armagnac.

[amateur51]

Maybe not of much interest to many in the modern world. But to those many who did - and those few who still do - work on the land, close to nature and with the seasons, often in isolated places, a most welcome feeling.

Guaranteed to bring a smile to the faces of the oldies around here - and to the not-quite-so-oldies like me - when someone says - "Well, that's the shortest day over then!"

Certainly also of interest to those who have to get out into the cityscape and wait for a bus, stumble to the tube, defrost the car window, all in the dark & then repeat the process coming home. :sad:

The welcome thought of longer days and Spring is not a solely rural phenomenon

[kernelbogey]

I like to celebrate - at least in awareness if not with ritual - this solar event which the early Christians simply hijacked for political reasons. This year's solstice is unusual in that it coincides with a full lunar eclipse beginning at 0529 (UK). By the time it is full at 0741 the moon will almost have set and the sky will be lightening, so it will not be an optimal event. But worth getting the armagnac out for an early snifter under the stars...?

http://www.jodrellbank.manchester.ac.uk/astronomy/nightsky/

[greenilex]

Thanks, kernelbogey, for letting me know about the eclipse...need a good few jerseys at that time of day, and we do have a light pollution problem.

But good to be aware.

[greenilex]

Well, folks, we got there - never really believed we would - so here's to merry Ms Rule and the topsy turvy season.

[Vile Consort]

Only another six months and the nights will be drawing in again!

[amateur51]

Well, folks, we got there - never really believed we would - so here's to merry Ms Rule and the topsy turvy season.

Marvellous!

Springtime here we come!

[doversoul1]

Marvellous!

Springtime here we come!

迎春
Welcoming spring. This is meant to be for the New Year’s Day but we shan’t fuss about a few odd days.

[greenilex]

The character for "spring" was the first one I ever learned, taught me by my cousin who was born In Manchuria (to Russian parents). Now I have a vague nodding acquaintance with around 30 (simplified, not traditional). But I forget them faster than I learn them. I have been trying for about seven years to pick up a basic Mandarin vocabulary.

[eighthobstruction]

Mrs8th got up early this morning to see the lunar eclipse....first since C17 to be on the winter Solstice....

[greenilex]

Managed to catch a brief glimpse live on the web - nothing visible under nubescence...but there are amazing photos on NASA website

[vinteuil]

... and to wish a Happy Winter Solstice [05:30hh, Thursday 22 December, I think... ] to all our readers.

In 2010 [cf posts above] we seemed to be tippling with armagnac* - I see no reason to abandon such a sensible practice...

Salut!

* other beverages are available

[cloughie]

Marvellous!

Springtime here we come!

I hate to put a downer on it but the solstice is on the first day of Winter, a quarter away from Spring.

[Stillhomewardbound]

While the winter will not seem to have been too long this year, due to the exceptionally mild October and November, there is still a terrible dearth to this time of the year.

I got up today at 7.15 and assumed the morning was heavily overcast,but on parting the curtains I saw it was just very, very dark.

My lower legs are very itch also due to Winter eczema and a like of vitamin d. I did look for some supplements when I was shopping but couldn't find any d.

We simply can't complain. Every winter our level of indulgence and excess just grows and grows.

Pre-Inustrial revolution the winter solstice celebrations were no doubt keenly anticipated as a relief from the paltry diet and conditions of a cruel winter.