We were married on that date in 1991. This is our 34th anniversary. Makes it easy to remember, too.

Happy anniversary!!!

So...

We, too married on winter solstice, in 1995. Celebrating 30 years together, but have known each other much longer.

I looked at the calendar about five days ago and noticed it was almost here… BAM! It’s snuck up on me!

In the past, I always had some of the best skiing on the Winter Solstice.

And to all the lovely people here at DU!

The “church “ just decided it was a good time for their “savior” to be born and just basically took over the solstice celebrations many years ago…
We have a bizarre species of bunny, delivering eggs in the spring, we’re not that far removed from pagans who worshiped the same turning of the seasons and the sun as we do now.

Before "church"

usually to "lord" it over others.

was when Mitras (now Orion in the sky) fought the Bull Taurus (right next to him in the sky) to save the sun from being eaten by Taurus. Mitras defeats the bull, but is mortally wounded and dies. Not to worry, on the third day he rises from the dead.
(And that's why it had to be replaced by 'Christmas'.)

Putting the solstice back at Taurus, we are talking about a religion that dates back to about 4-5000 years ago. Here's what the ancients saw:

Thank you!

Christmas and what it's supposed to stand for, but doesn't in our country, has been co-opted by advertising and conspicuous consumption. It's about excess everything.

... Got the obsidian knife, and the big flat stone... Now, where did I put that virgin?

..if you are just emerging from a hunter / gatherer society, and inventing agriculture.

Can't afford to be tricked by a sudden freak thaw in late January. Put your seeds in the ground too early, and they are killed when they sprout when winter returns.

So find the winter solstice.... do what the Priests say, and start counting the days till its safe to plant.

Great thread!

Next stop is Imbolic (AKA Groundhog Day) which is halfway to Equinox

Here’s a funny thing. We are spending this winter in Coronado, Panama on the Pacific coast about 50 miles West of Panama City and the Canal. It’s West because of the “S” curve of the isthmus.

Because we’re about 7-8 degrees North of the Equator, every day is basically the same. The Sun rises a little after 6:00 am and sets around 6:00 pm. Accordingly, the Solstices and the Equinoxes don’t really have any discernible effects.

It cracks me up to see Santa and the Grinch next to Nativity scenes this time of year.

Most people don't realize that xmas trees started as a Pagan tradition. Evil spirits and ghosts were repeled by evergreens.

The Winter Solstice for the Northern Hemisphere in 2025 occurs on Sunday, December 21, at 10:03 a.m. EST, marking the shortest day and longest night as Earth's axis tilts farthest from the Sun, signaling the official start of astronomical winter and the beginning of longer days to come. This event is celebrated globally as a turning point of renewal and the return of light.