A Winter Solstice Event
The Winter Solstice is a special time of the year. It’s a time to celebrate, a time to reflect, and a time to look forward to what will come. By attending this event, you'll earn the special June Solstice Souvenir.
Event Details:
Location: Herb Garden Pavilion and Sundial, Botanic Gardens of Sydney
Date: Friday, 20th June, 2025
Time: 12:00pm to 1:00pm
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Since prehistory, the winter solstice has been a significant time of year in many cultures and has been marked by festivals and rites. It marked the symbolic death and rebirth of the Sun; the gradual waning of daylight hours is reversed and begins to grow again. Some ancient monuments such as Stonehenge are aligned with the sunrise or sunset on the winter solstice.
Because the winter solstice is the reversal of the Sun's apparent ebbing in the sky, in ancient times it was seen as the symbolic death and rebirth of the Sun or of a Sun god. In cultures which used cyclic calendars based on the winter solstice, the "year as reborn" was celebrated with reference to life-death-rebirth deities or "new beginnings".
There are many legends and stories around the world about the Winter Solstice. In Northern Europe, the year’s longest night is called “Mother Night”. It was in darkness the goddess Frigga labored to bring the Light to birth once more. The Young Sun, Baldur, who controlled the sun and rain and brought fruitfulness to the fields, was born. Frigga’s blessing is invoked for all birthing women. Lighting a white candle that last burned on the solstice is a charm to provide a safe delivery.
Did you know that NSW has a geocaching association? Geocaching NSW aims to enhance and improve the activity of geocaching and holds regular events where geocachers meet to enjoy their common interests. Visit the association website here.