A cool time

The time of the year is the Winter Solstice. It's when the sun is far away and it means tomorrow will be the shortest day of the year and the longest night of the year. It will be very dark and so daylight will be limited. On 21st December, the Earth's axis will tilt away from the sun in the Northern Hemisphere, bringing in winter. The Southern Hemisphere leans closest to the sun and that gives them a Summer, which means their seasons are reversed.   

Since time began this occasion was celebrated as it was about the death and rebirth of the sun. Many festivals such as Yule and Saturnalia were enjoyed throughout. People celebrate the astronomical event in different ways. Some see it as just a scientific celestial event, while to many this is purely spiritual and holds deeper meanings. There are many stories and legends centred around the Winter Solstice, mostly about the birth of some powerful gods like Helios, Adonis, Jesus, Krishna, Buddha and Mithras. 

From the 21st December the daytime will slowly and gradually increase. It will be very dark and so all in the Northern Hemisphere keep a light and stay warm. People in the Southern Hemisphere also celebrate the Solstices but for them this is the Summer Solstice and their Winter is in June. A topsy turvy world!  

So my message to you is simple and sweet as a gingerbread biscuit. Keep healthy and have plenty of warm fluids, have fun and be strong. Beat those cold illness germs. All of you have a very happy and warm Winter Solstice. 

Storm Valkyrie