Solstice, the Real Reason for the Season

Technically, the Winter Solstice is when the tilt of the Earth's axis is farthest from the sun.  This results in the shortest day of the year and the slow seasonal march toward longer spring and summer days.  But the Winter Solstice is so much more historically, spiritually, and culturally. 

One would be hard pressed to find a culture that doesn't celebrate some sort of holiday around this time. From the Neolithic period to now people have developed rituals and holidays to honor the return of the sun.  The rituals, the celebratory meals, the songs, the prayers are different from culture to culture but the one constant is...yes, you guessed it, gentle reader, Light! 

"After the longest night, tomorrow we sing up the dawn. There is a rejoicing that, even in the darkest time, the sun is not vanquished. As of tomorrow, the days begin to get longer as the light of day grows. While the gentle winter sun slowly opens its eyes, let us all bring more light and compassion into the world." (by Dache Avelin) 

Light as a metaphor is endless: light of my life, facts brought to light, light at the end of the tunnel, light in his loafers, beacon of light, light in the darkness, light of knowledge, and so on and so on...

We have looked to the light to illuminate not only the dark but as inspiration to be better, to be greater, to stare up at the heavens away from the murk and muck of just being human. Crawling through the darkness on the daily, the light elevates us above the mundane, provides a sense for honor and dignity, a reminder to be compassionate, to practice kindness, to feed the needs of our minds and souls.

One of the terms used to describe this time of year is the Hibernal Solstice.  I like this term because it more accurately reflects my approach to the solstice. As an introvert (yes, it is true despite my outgoing nature, I am an introvert), this is the time of year for reflection, for regeneration, renewal...we are biologically hadwired to celebrate the return of light as a source of hope...and I am optimistic enough to fall for this every year on the solstice.  I am often infused with a sense of hope and wonder and yes, even the slightest nudging toward a belief in the magic of light. 

So, gentle readers, let us celebrate the piercing of the darkness with pictures of lights from our area. 

Sales Force Park in SF, a park 4 stories above the street and an absolute engineering marvel, A rainy day but still the stars are out.

Sales Force Park enjoying twinkling lights even during the day, 

The tree in Union Square...iconic, much more impressive at night but still a sight to behold, 

San Francico Center dome...not exactly lights but still a lovely feature, rebuilt in 1908 and installed when SF Center was built.  The symmetry and beauty brings light into my life. 

The Palace Hotel,  An impressive tree in impressive surroundings. 

The angel on top of our tree, 

Christmas eve at our house,  The gnome was left in my office anonymously, but is currently adorning our front yard and bringing a smile to our faces. 

Every year on facebook, I post this from the final scene in one of my favorite shows, Northern Exposure...enjoy gentle reader, this fills me up every solistice, Enjoy the lights around you until the return of the sun. 

Northern Exposure End Scene: More Light from Markus Avrelius on Vimeo.