This has
been a difficult year and I have been finding the lack of sun even
more frustrating. Given that most cachers like to cache in
daylight.. I thought we would celebrate the end of the shortest day
of the year (as it gets brighter from here on!)
THE DECEMBER SOLSTICE
The
December solstice occurs when the sun reaches its most southerly
declination of -23.5 degrees. In other words, it is when the North
Pole is tilted 23.5 degrees away from the sun. Depending on the
Gregorian calendar, the December solstice occurs annually on a day
between December 20 and December 23. On this date, all places above
a latitude of 66.5 degrees north are now in darkness, while
locations below a latitude of 66.5 degrees south receive 24 hours
of daylight.
The
sun is directly overhead on the Tropic of Capricorn in the southern
hemisphere during the December solstice. It also marks the longest
day of the year in terms of daylight hours for those living south
of the Tropic of Capricorn. Those living or travelling south from
the Antarctic Circle towards the South Pole will see the midnight
sun during this time of the year.
On the
contrary, for an observer in the northern hemisphere, the December
solstice marks the day of the year with the least hours of daylight
for those living north of the Tropic of Cancer. Those living or
traveling north of the Arctic Circle towards the North Pole will
not be able to see the sun during this time of the
year.
THERE ARE
MANY TRADITIONS FOR CELEBRATING WINTER SOLSTICE.
In Nova Scotia, Winter Solstice, is celebrated as “Children's
Day: to honor children and to bring warmth, light and cheerfulness
into the dark time of the year. In Nova Scotia outdoor colored
lights play an important part in the local celebration of the
mid-winter season. With the day turning to darkness so early in the
North, it is cheering to look out into the cold and dark at lights
sparkling and glittering in the crisp air.
The
custom of mummers visiting their neighbors in costume, which is
still alive in Newfoundland, is descended from the Roman masked
processions.
In
pagan Scandinavia the winter festival was the yule (or juul). Great
yule logs were burned, and people drank mead around the bonfires
listening to minstrel-poets singing ancient legends. It was
believed that the yule log had the magical effect of helping
the
The
Hopi tribe "is dedicated to giving aid and direction to the sun
which is ready to 'return' and give strength to budding life."
Their ceremony is called "Soyal." It lasts for 20 days and includes
"prayerstick making, purification, rituals and a concluding rabbit
hunt, feast and blessing..."
WINTER
SOLSTICE NH STYLE
DATE:
December 22, 2011
TIME: 5:30 – 7 PM (or there
about)
LOCATION: BOATR’S PLACE 
THANKS JOE AND NANCY
This is a “BYOEE” .. That means
“BRING YOUR OWN EVERYTHING EVENT”.. That means bring
your own food, paper goods, drink, chairs and anything else you
want.. Though you know everything does not really mean everything.
We will have a grill available in case you need to use one. There
will also be a fire to keep warm (so hot dogs on a stick might work
well) AND thanks again to boatrs>> Bathroom facilities will
be available.. THOUGH to pay them back for all the events they have
hosted at their house.. how about each team bring them a roll of
Toilet Paper and/or Paper Towels LOL!
If
you want to bring something that would help celebrate NH style at
this event, I am sure there will be folks ready to play