The Winter Solstice

The Winter Solstice

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For some people, the Winter Solstice is a mystical day on which pagans engaged in surreptitious rituals. For others, it is simply an astronomical event that tells them they have reached the time of the year where the nights are longer than the days. However, for most people from around the world, this day is one that is marked by a number of different celebrations.

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.

Taken from: http://www.holidayscalendar.com/event/winter-solstice/

Featured above: Artist: Jennifer Young Title: Here Comes the Sun

This painting was inspired by a series of walks I took during a beautiful snow this winter in out town of Ashland, VA. Stony Run Trail is a quiet walk that runs alongside Stony Run Creek in the town. Each snow seems to be a little different, but this particular snow created the most dazzling snow-laced trees that gave me the feeling of true winter wonderland.