Wednesday, December 21, 2005

The longest night of the year

Today is "Midwinter", called the Winter Solstice. It has been celebrated as such for probably as long as people have been around, and the days starting to get longer certainly is reason for celebration. (Don’t give me that nonsense about this being the first day of winter. Who on earth thought that up, and by what authority? Sheeesh) Here’s a page with a nice summary of various sun, light vs. gloom holidays through the ages, with many still celebrated today... literally today.

Here are some tasty-sounding vegetarian feasting recipes. Mmmmm!!

Sun Dance painting by Mary Berning.

So Happy Solstice, Here Comes the Sun, and May the Force Be With You.
(not sure of the proper greeting. [grin])

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5 comments:

Neil Shakespeare said...

May the Source Be With You Also!

Blueberry said...

Metaphors Be With You... Always!

TLP said...

I love this day! Of course that's because the light begins to return, minute by minute, starting tomorrow. I don't mind the cold, but I like more light.

Blueberry said...

There is really something tangible to celebrate today, isn't there?

Blueberry said...

The bosses took us little guys out for a fancy luncheon (not for the Solstice, just coincidentally on the same day), and it was quite pleasant as I sat by nice people and ignored the speeches for the most part. Took home some wonderful pumpkin cheesecake with drizzled chocolate and strawberries on it.

The first thing I noticed when we moved down here, which was almost exactly 5 years ago, is that it stays light longer in the evening. Yesterday the sun went down around 5:30 (as it caused yet another traffic jam when there shouldn't be one) and it was still light until around 6:00. (I'd have to look up the exact time for sunset here) What a huge difference from St. Louis where it would be dark by 5:00! Plus it is fairly sunny in winter instead of mostly gray. Both things a big boon for people who suffer from SAD.