SOLSTICE TRADITIONS

Every year, twice a year, once on each hemisphere of the earth, something happens. The winter solstice strikes its path along the calendar every winter up until its opposite reaches its beginning, the summer solstice. The winter solstice is where the sun is the farthest south it can go in the northern hemisphere, and the summer solstice is where the sun is the farthest north in the southern hemisphere. Although this may be the case, there are several other aspects to the solstice than just the positioning of the sun. Things like it marks the beginning of the season of winter, and after the solstice begins its path, the days get longer, which many cultures like to celebrate as a time of rebirth. There are a number of cultures that celebrate the winter solstice, and they all celebrate it in their own way. 

GRAPHIC EXPLAINING THE CYCLE OF THE SOLSTICE; GRAPHIC BY ROYCE POHLMAN

The western culture celebrates a tradition called Saturnalia; this is an ancient Roman Solstice celebration. This is a celebration in dedication to the agriculture and time god, Saturn. This celebration used to be a day long event but it eventually transitioned to a week long party starting from Dec 17th to the 24th. Where folks that participate indulge in gambling, drinking, feasting and gift giving. 

In addition to the topic, there is a celebration that takes place six weeks before the Chinese New Year, Dong Zhi which also means “Winter Arrives". It was believed that everyone became a year older on this day. The celebration could have begun as a harvest festival, for the farmers and fishermen to have time with their families. Present day, this holiday isn't official. It is seen as a time for families to come together and celebrate the year that has passed. In Peru, the winter solstice is actually celebrated in the month of June. 

Every year, twice a year, once on each hemisphere of the earth, something happens. The winter solstice strikes its path along the calendar every winter up until its opposite reaches its beginning, the summer solstice. The winter solstice is where the sun is the farthest south it can go in the northern hemisphere, and the summer solstice is where the sun is the farthest north in the southern hemisphere. Although this may be the case, there are several other aspects to the solstice than just the positioning of the sun. Things like it marks the beginning of the season of winter, and after the solstice begins its path, the days get longer, which many cultures like to celebrate as a time of rebirth. There are a number of cultures that celebrate the winter solstice, and they all celebrate it in their own way. 

The western culture celebrates a tradition called Saturnalia; this is an ancient Roman Solstice celebration. This is a celebration in dedication to the agriculture and time god, Saturn. This celebration used to be a day long event but it eventually transitioned to a week long party starting from Dec 17th to the 24th. Where folks that participate indulge in gambling, drinking, feasting and gift giving. 

In addition to the topic, there is a celebration that takes place six weeks before the Chinese New Year, Dong Zhi which also means “Winter Arrives". It was believed that everyone became a year older on this day. The celebration could have begun as a harvest festival, for the farmers and fishermen to have time with their families. Present day, this holiday isn't official. It is seen as a time for families to come together and celebrate the year that has passed. In Peru, the winter solstice is actually celebrated in the month of June. 

             After the conquest, Inti Raymi was banned but was reintroduced in the 20th century, still continuing mock sacrifices. Although this article dealt with a lot of moving around to different parts of the world, these celebrations were shared so that the people reading know that the winter solstice is not just the sky getting darker earlier and the clocks turning back, it's a wide range of things misunderstood by the people it affects. So next time when it is time for our clocks to go backwards, or forward, remember that there is more to it than what it is thought by you or your peers.