The shortest day of the year is only a few days away in the Northern Hemisphere.
For the data focused among us, Winter Solstice 2019 will occur at 11:59 pm EST on Saturday, December 21st.
Does this Longest Night, Midwinter, Yule, or whatever you choose to call it have any special meaning for you? For most of us in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s the official mark of winter (we also have this thing known as Meteorological winter starting on December 1st).
Though, for many of us, it’s been feeling a lot like winter for a while now.
Other than an opportunity for toasting your bum by a nice crackling fire, what does it mean for you?
For many of us in the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice means one thing: a few long, cold, dark months are ahead of us, with seemingly no end in sight.”
—Jessica Booth on Bustle.com
C’mon Jessica… that’s no way to look at it.
I found a few notable items while researching this post…
- Sure, on the surface it means many more long, cold nights and short days before we’ll be able to notice them getting warmer and longer.
- Winter Solstice holds fascinating spiritual meaning for many cultures. You can explore some of those on your own some cold, snowy night while surfing the interwebs. This Farmers’ Almanac article is a safe place to begin.
- Vox.com points out just because December 21 is the shortest day of the year for the Northern Hemisphere, doesn’t mean every location has its earliest sunset or latest sunrise on that day. Who knew?
- And my favorite… The world didn’t end as many people predicted it would according to some creative interpretations of the Mayan Calendar. Phew, close call!
So, what happens in the southern half of the planet? Of course, in the Southern Hemisphere, everything relating to the solstice is the exact opposite. Think of it as kind of a ‘Bizarro Jerry’ Solstice.
But Jeff, what does all this solstice stuff have to do with being untucked?
Well that question crossed my mind as I realized this post isn’t headed where I thought it might.
There’s the whole scientific part. And while interesting, it’s not what I tend to cover. I’ve avoided exploring the more ‘spiritual’ side for a couple of reasons… first, I quickly realized it would take some intentional research to get it right and do it justice. Then, in fairness to the subject, I would be compelled to venture into territory I would rather not.
Since a couple of other ideas decided not to speak to me or otherwise jell into a post, I reached the point where I needed to stay the course. (That’s a peak behind my curtain).
So, after careful thought and contemplation, here’s my answer…
Winter Solstice 2019 is a perfectly good opportunity to call some friends, family, or neighbors and have a celebration.
It’s the best excuse every for celebrating just about anything!
Think of the possibilities…
- Celebrate the start of longer days
- Hit the pause button on all the holiday madness
- Toast your friends in the Southern Hemisphere who get to experience their longest day
- Just chill out and have a private celebration with someone close to you
- Count your blessings and take some time for hope and reflection
Whatever you might choose to do, look at it as a special kind of day.
Make it your universal excuse… “It’s the shortest day of the year, but it’s just for what matters most right here, right now” whatever that may be for you.
And remember… there’s light at the end of that very long night.
Hope you enjoy it!
Be untucked.
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Copyright © 2019 Jeff Meister
What a lovely idea! I confess that I can get feeling a little ‘dark’ sometimes during the long winter days. (Those pesky little horses still expect me to come out to care for them regardless of the temperature or lack of daylight.) But while I always feel like Dec. 21 is ‘hump day’ for the winter, the idea of celebrating has honestly never occurred to me…a new tradition may be beginning…we’ll toast a reason to get together …thanks for the reminder to pay attention to “for what matters most right here, right now”… love that. Merry Christmas to you and yours Jeff and have a wonderfully ‘untucked’ 2020!.
I like your point that one can make it a “special” day. Instead of dreading what it means, one can celebrate it in any way!
Truly, let’s count our blessings.
Thanks Lou! The idea was inspired by an email I received where the writer said she saw the solstice as a time of new beginnings. She also talked about gratitude and reflecting on blessings. Why not look at it as a special day? As “grownups,” we also can benefit from celebrating small and big things, and whatever else we find worthy. I think back to my college days when we didn’t need much encouragement at all!