Image found here.
As a proud Canadian, I admit I am obsessed with weather. The Weather Network is represented here on the blog, I get text updates 365 days a year, I know what to expect short- and long-term. Weather watching is one of the great past-times of my people.
The days leading up to December 21st each year have to be the hardest. From the first day of autumn through today, each day gets shorter and more dismal. Officially the winter solstice occurs at 12:47PM today. This is a day to be celebrated, the darkness is done. We are about to gain light again! It may get overcast and grey, but it won't get dark.
Sunrise: 7:48AM
Sunset: 4:44PM
Hours of Daylight: 8:55
and that's the worst it can get, it only gets lighter from here
I'm sure there are some kind of ancient rituals or traditions I should read up on and integrate into my joy on this day. THIS is my winter day of celebration. Over the years I'm becoming far more a "naturalist" as it sets well with my Buddhist-leaning beliefs, and far less a participant in the obligatory-guilt-infused practices of Christmas. (Shh, I do my very best to keep that to myself and make every effort to not mar my children and will continue to do so until the big guy in red no longer makes his annual visit.)
It's a big week or two of light for me: the light of the birth of my first child, the light of the winter solstice, the light of Christmas, the light of hockey tournaments and the light of New Year's. Whew!
Do you have any time of year that rings most true to you? A day or time that makes you feel all settled, quiet and complete? Share with me!
