The winter solstice in 2016 falls on December 21st. The winter solstice begins on December 21, 2016 at 10:45 UTC or 13:45 Moscow time, when the Sun enters 0° zodiac sign Capricorn.
This is the shortest day and the most long night per year. The winter solstice is one of the main sun points year in astrology, along with the days of spring and autumn equinox, summer solstice.
The moment of solstice is a critical moment. 3 days before and 3 days after the solstice the Earth takes huge stream creative energy, this is a magical, sacred time of transition. These magical days are filled with special energy, which makes it possible to collect pearls of wisdom and the strength of the passing year, draw a line under the past and lay the foundations for the future, make wishes, sow the seeds of new things and a new state, improve, change what needs changing; get rid of what gets in the way.
These are the days when you can really change your LIFE. Reborn in the same way as the Sun. The whole Universe seems to freeze for three days to help Man create something new in his life. Our ancestors knew the power of these days and consciously used it.
We are all part of the Universe, and we are all participants in this magical process, whether we know it or not. And we have a choice - to miss this unique opportunity or to consciously use the energies of the Universe to change our Life.
Traditionally in old times On the winter solstice, the rebirth of the Sun was celebrated; it was celebrated at night, before sunrise. The holidays of Kolyada among the Slavs and Yule among the Germanic peoples are associated with this day. To give strength to the Sun, which, according to legend, should be reborn on this day, there was a custom to kindle ritual bonfire. Often the logs for the fire were oak, because oak was believed to be a cosmic tree. Sometimes they took a pine tree, which symbolized the dying sun god. The logs were decorated with carvings and corresponding symbols. To perform the ritual of reviving the Sun, they took 13 red and green candles with the Sun and other magical symbols carved on them.
Old pagan customs of the winter solstice included the tradition of placing bread or cakes on the branches of old trees, pouring sweet drinks on the trees as a gift forest gods. This was done in the hope that in gratitude people would be given good harvest in the coming seasons.
With the advent of Christianity ancient holiday The winter solstice was timed to coincide with Christmas and the beginning of the winter holidays. According to custom, on the longest night of the year they caroled and told fortunes about the future.
Details
Solstice is one of two days a year when the height of the sun above the horizon at noon is minimum or maximum. There are two solstices in the year - winter and summer.
On the day of the winter solstice, the sun rises to its lowest height above the horizon.
In the northern hemisphere, the winter solstice occurs on December 21 or 22, when the shortest day and longest night occur. The moment of the solstice shifts annually, since the length of the solar year does not coincide with calendar time.
In 2016, the winter solstice begins on December 21. The Sun, moving along the ecliptic, at this moment will reach the most distant position from the celestial equator to the side South Pole peace. Astronomical winter will begin in the Northern Hemisphere of the planet, and in Southern Hemisphere- summer.
On this day, at the latitude of Moscow, the Sun rises above the horizon to a height of less than 11 degrees.
These December days above the Arctic Circle (66.5 degrees northern latitude) the polar night begins, which does not necessarily mean complete darkness throughout the day. Its main feature is that the Sun does not rise above the horizon.
At the North Pole of the Earth, not only the Sun is not visible, but also twilight, and the location of the star can only be determined by the constellations. The picture is completely different in the area of the Earth's South Pole - in Antarctica at this time the day lasts around the clock.
On December 21, the Sun crosses the 18 o'clock meridian and begins to rise up the ecliptic, beginning its path to spring equinox when it crosses the celestial equator.
For thousands of years, the winter solstice has been great value for all the peoples of our planet who lived in harmony with natural cycles and organized their lives in accordance with them. Since ancient times, people have revered the Sun, understanding that their life on earth depends on its light and warmth. For them, the winter solstice symbolized the victory of light over darkness.
Thus, in Russian folklore, a proverb is dedicated to this day: the sun is for summer, winter is for frost. Now the day will gradually increase, and the night will decrease. The winter solstice was used to judge the future harvest. In the old days, on this day they noticed: frost on the trees - to a rich grain harvest.
In the 16th century in Rus', an interesting ritual was associated with the winter solstice. The bell ringer of the Moscow Cathedral, who was responsible for striking the clock, came to bow to the Tsar. He reported that from now on the sun has turned to summer, the day is increasing, and the night is shortening. For this good news, the king rewarded the headman with money.
The ancient Slavs celebrated paganism on the day of the winter solstice. New Year, he contacted the deity Kolyada. The main attribute of the festival was a bonfire, depicting and invoking the light of the sun, which, after the longest night of the year, was supposed to rise higher and higher. The ritual New Year's pie - loaf - was also shaped like the sun.
In Europe, these days began a 12-day cycle of pagan festivals dedicated to the winter solstice, which marked the beginning of a new life and renewal of nature.
On the day of the winter solstice in Scotland there was a custom to launch the solar wheel - “solstice”. The barrel was coated with burning resin and sent down the street. The wheel is a symbol of the sun, the spokes of the wheel resembled rays, the rotation of the spokes during movement made the wheel alive and similar to a luminary.
The winter solstice was determined earlier than all other seasons in China (in Chinese calendar 24 seasons). IN ancient China It was believed that from this time the male force of nature rises and a new cycle begins. The winter solstice was considered a happy day worthy of celebration. On this day, everyone - from the emperor to the commoner - went on vacation. The army was put into a state of waiting for orders, border fortresses and trading shops were closed, people visited each other and gave gifts. The Chinese made sacrifices to the God of Heaven and their ancestors, and also ate porridge of beans and glutinous rice to protect themselves from evil spirits and diseases. To this day, the winter solstice is considered one of the traditional Chinese holidays.
21.12.2016 16:01
December 21 is the winter solstice. Today is the shortest day and the longest night.
The moment of the solstice shifts every year, since the length of the solar year does not coincide with calendar time.
In 2016, the winter solstice begins on December 21st. The Sun, moving along the ecliptic, at this moment will reach its most distant position from the celestial equator towards the South Pole of the world. Astronomical winter will begin in the Northern Hemisphere of the planet, and summer in the Southern Hemisphere. During these December days, the polar night begins above the Arctic Circle (66.5 degrees north latitude), which does not necessarily mean complete darkness for the entire day. Its main feature is that the Sun does not rise above the horizon.
At the North Pole of the Earth, not only the Sun is not visible, but also twilight, and the location of the star can only be determined by the constellations. The picture is completely different in the area of the Earth's South Pole: in Antarctica at this time the day lasts around the clock. On December 21, the Sun crosses the 18 o'clock meridian and begins to rise up the ecliptic, beginning its journey towards the spring equinox, when it crosses the celestial equator.
Different cultures interpreted the winter solstice differently, but most peoples perceived it as a rebirth, ushering in a new beginning. At this time, holidays and meetings were held, appropriate rituals were held, and celebrations were held with songs and dances.
Solstice and equinox were among the most revered days among the ancient Slavs, since they personified the hypostases of Dazhbog. The Slavs considered this holiday a time of renewal and birth of the sun, and with it all living things, a time of spiritual transformation, a time promoting both good material and spiritual changes. The night that precedes the winter solstice was considered the patroness of all nights.
During the winter solstice, the Slavs celebrated the pagan New Year, which was personified with the deity Kolyada. The main object of the celebration was a large bonfire, invoking and depicting the sun, which, after one of the longest nights of the year, was supposed to rise higher and higher into the heavenly heights. It was also necessary to bake ritual New Year's pies of a round shape, reminiscent of a celestial body.
In Europe, pagan festivals kicked off a 12-day cycle of magnificent festivities, marking the beginning of the renewal of nature and the beginning of a new life.
In Scotland, there was a tradition of launching a burning wheel, symbolizing the solstice. The barrel was generously coated with resin, set on fire and launched down the slide, with rotating movements reminiscent of a fiery luminary.
In China, the winter solstice was a worthy celebration, because it was considered a happy day. Residents of the country performed ceremonies and rituals to protect themselves from diseases and evil spirits. Winter Solstice Day is still one of the Chinese traditional holidays.
Winter solstice
13:44 Moscow time
Since ancient times, in almost all cultures of the World The first twelve days following the Winter Solstice were given special sacred meaning.
The priests very carefully observed natural phenomena and events occurring on these sacred days. Since it is believed that the first of these 12 days shows and, most importantly, shapes the events that will happen to a Person during the first month, after the Winter Solstice. Those. the events that happened to us on December 22, as in the Mirror of Time, show us what the next 30 days will be like for us, etc.
Each of these 12 sacred days corresponds to a specific month.
Thus, December 22-23-24 The Lord of Time Kalachakra, with the help of various images and signs, reflects for us in his Mirror what will happen to us in winter.
Next three days: December 25-26-27- they will show us the events of the future spring.
December 28-29-30- situations that await us will occur in summer.
A, December 31st, January 1st and 2nd we will be able to give a forecast of what the next one will be like for us autumn.
Knowing this formula that 12 sacred days are equal to 12 months of the year, we can not only predict future events, but also shape them.
We can literally create or change our Future Time these days.
Therefore, traditionally, 12 sacred days after the Winter Solstice were dedicated to various ritual actions. "What goes around comes around". Good actions will form a Good Time for us. Not good actions will create bad times, bad periods and events in our lives. The Law of Karma guarantees absolute justice in this matter.
This is what the Tibetan astrological text "Jade Box" says about signs that accompany the day of the Winter Solstice:
- …"If it blows West wind- this is bad, many thieves and robbers will appear;
- if a lot of snow falls on this day, there will be many obstacles and unfavorable conditions for life;
- if on the day of the Winter Solstice it will be clear and frosty weather, then this is very good - next year it will turn out to be a blessing for people and bring a good harvest;
- if it blows Eastern wind, then this will bring people a lot of illness and death;
- the south wind will bring a bad harvest, and the north wind will bring a good harvest;
- blue clouds on the day of the Winter Solstice also promise a good harvest next year;
- red clouds are a sign of future drought;
- black clouds - a large number of precipitation in the coming year;
- white clouds - will bring illness to people;
- yellow clouds - the year will be favorable for construction work”...
Why is it so important in all astrological traditions?
given to the day of the Winter Solstice?
What happens to Time on this day?
From an astronomical point of view, this is the period when the point of sunrise on the horizon gradually begins to shift towards the North and then the daylight hours begin to increase, and the duration of the night begins to shorten. Therefore in Tibetan Astrology It is believed that on the day of the Winter Solstice The Heavenly and Earthly Gates open. And then, Savdak the Master of the Year, together with his entire retinue, turns his back to the Sun and goes into the Past, to the West. And he is replaced by the New Master of the Year, along with his retinue of Savdakov-Managers of individual time periods and spatial directions. So it begins Day of the Gods, which will last for six months of our Time Dimension.
Then, in a day Summer Solstice, the Night of the Gods will begin, which will also last for our six months and so on. Thus, one Day and one Night of the Gods at the top of Mount Sumeru are equal to six months of the first half of the year and six months of the second half of the year on Earth, respectively.
Alexander Khosmo
December 21st is the most powerful day of the year
Dear friends, the most energetically charged period of time begins, which really changes our destiny by activating our consciousness. This happens thanks to nature itself and its rhythms.
The winter solstice is approaching - December 21 and 22 - the shortest days of the year.
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The time of the winter solstice occurs when the axis around which our planet rotates reaches its maximum point in the direction from the Sun. The largest angle of inclination of the Earth's axis relative to the Sun is 23° 26".
Depending on the shift of calendar days, the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere occurs either on December 21 or 22, and in the Southern Hemisphere on June 20 or 21.
Different cultures interpreted this event differently, but most peoples perceived the winter solstice as a rebirth, setting a new beginning. At this time, festivals, holidays, meetings were organized, appropriate rituals were carried out, and mass celebrations were organized with songs and dances.
The solstice was a special moment in the annual cycle even during the New Stone Age (Neolithic). Thanks to astronomical events, which since ancient times have governed the sowing of grain crops, the procurement of food before the next harvest, and the mating periods of animals, it is possible to trace how various traditions and myths arose.
Evidence of this can be considered in the layout of the most ancient monuments of the late New Stone and Bronze Ages. Such as Stonehenge (Great Britain) and Newgrange (Ireland), the main axes of which were aligned with special care and pointed to the sunrise at Newgrange, and the sunset at Stonehenge on the winter solstice.
It is noteworthy that the Great Trilith (a “P” design of the three largest stones) at Stonehenge is turned outward relative to the center of the monument in such a way that its front flat part faces the Sun towards the middle of winter.
How the ancient Slavs celebrated the winter solstice
One of the most significant holidays revered by our ancestors were the days of the Solstice and Equinox. The rotation, solstice, solstice, equinox - personify the four hypostases of the ancient Slavic god Sun Dazhdbog, giver of light and warmth. His name resounds in, which has survived to our time, short prayer: “God grant!” According to popular belief, Dazhdbog opens the summer and closes the fierce winter.
The Slavs considered this holiday a time of renewal and birth of the Sun, and with it all living things, a time of spiritual transformation, a time promoting both good material and spiritual changes. The night that precedes the winter solstice is considered the patroness of all nights, because it is on this night that the Goddess gives birth to a young solar baby - Dazhdbog, symbolizing the birth of life from death, order from chaos.
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