![]() ![]() Thousands of pagans continue to gather every year at Stonehenge, and it is thought that the iconic stones were carefully placed to frame the sunset on the winter solstice. The astronomical winter lasts until the spring equinox in March (Photo: Getty Images)Īlthough many of the traditions around the period were absorbed into Christmas following the rise of Christianity, the year’s shortest day still holds significance for many today. ![]() Romans had their own similar observance called Saturnalia (in honour of the god Saturn), which began on 17 December and involved a full week of partying and the subversion of ordinary social behaviour. This festival was observed by the early Germanic peoples of Northern Europe, who gathered to celebrate the the revival of the sun and the brighter times ahead.Ĭeltic druids would mark the solstice with the cutting of mistletoe and lighting a “Yule log”, believed to banish darkness and evil spirits. ![]() The origins of Christmas trees and wreaths, for example, can be found in the 12-day pagan holiday of “Yule”, which centred around the solstice. Traditional holidays across the world have often focused on the rebirth of nature for this reason, and many of the traditions now associated with Christmas began as observances of the astronomical phenomenon. Winter has aways been a time for celebration (Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Image) Slightly confusingly, as well as kicking off the astronomical season, the solstice can also be known as midwinter, because the days begin to get longer after it has passed. This means that on 21 December this year, London is set to see a paltry 7 hours, 49 minutes of daylight, with the sun rising at 8.03am and setting at 3.53pm. The winter solstice marks the date of the shortest period of daytime light and longest night of the year, when the Earth’s north pole has its maximum tilt from the sun. This astronomical winter will last until Saturday 20 March 2021, the date of the spring (or vernal) equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. In 2020, the winter solstice falls on Monday 21 December – it can occur any date between 20 and 23 December, but usually takes place on the 21st of the month. ![]()
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