Solstice
Today (or tomorrow?) is the winter solstice ... thanks to Talmida for reminding me :-). Wikipedia says ...
Many cultures celebrate the winter and summer solstices, or both the solstices and equinoxes, or even the solstices, equinoxes and the midpoints between them (e.g., in some pagan cultures). One well-known example of this is Christmas. Similarly, many spring-time festivals are related to the vernal equinox. Christian Catholic cultures, as well as Nordic Christian protestant cultures, also celebrate the summer solstice in the form of the feast of St. John (June 23–June 24; see St. John's Night, St. John's Eve, Juhannus, Sankt Hans Aften, etc.). Jewish cultures celebrate especially the equinoxes (Passover and Rosh Hashanah); in Japan, all four major season days are celebrated (see Setsubun). Many other summer solstice festivals exist (e.g., the Wiccan Litha); likewise for winter solstice festivals (Yalda, Saturnalia, Karachun, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Ásatrúar — see the list of winter festivals for more).
- Glastonbury Tor, winter solstice sunrise
Many cultures celebrate the winter and summer solstices, or both the solstices and equinoxes, or even the solstices, equinoxes and the midpoints between them (e.g., in some pagan cultures). One well-known example of this is Christmas. Similarly, many spring-time festivals are related to the vernal equinox. Christian Catholic cultures, as well as Nordic Christian protestant cultures, also celebrate the summer solstice in the form of the feast of St. John (June 23–June 24; see St. John's Night, St. John's Eve, Juhannus, Sankt Hans Aften, etc.). Jewish cultures celebrate especially the equinoxes (Passover and Rosh Hashanah); in Japan, all four major season days are celebrated (see Setsubun). Many other summer solstice festivals exist (e.g., the Wiccan Litha); likewise for winter solstice festivals (Yalda, Saturnalia, Karachun, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Ásatrúar — see the list of winter festivals for more).
- Glastonbury Tor, winter solstice sunrise
posted by crystal | 12:35 PM
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