Today’s Almanac December 21, 2010
Today is the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. Archeological evidence shows that the event was marked, often using physical constructions to capture the rising sun, in Neolithic times across widely separated cultures in Europe, the Near East, Asia, and North America. Stonehenge is just the most famous example.
Many religions have incorporated important festivals around the Solstice, sometimes forthrightly celebrating the return of the Sun, sometime disguising the event in mythological stories. The many winter Festivals of Light, including Yule, Saturnalia, Meán Geimhridh, Chanukah, Christmas, and New Years to name just a few, are overt or covert solstice celebrations.
This year the Solstice corresponds to a total eclipse of the Moon. This is a rare coincidence. The last time it occurred was in 1638. Interestingly enough, that event also occurred on December 21, adjusting for the conversion from the Julian to Gregorian calendar. If you have an infant in your family and he or she is long lived, there will be a chance for her or him to see another coincidence on December 21, 2094.
Fewer ancient cultures were sophisticated enough to predict solstice events, although astrologers in China and the Near East could, as well as the Maya in Central America. The seeming rarity and unpredictability of lunar eclipses meant that they were often seen as powerful omens for good or ill.
Here in the upper Mid West the solstice, which is ongoing as I write, is unobservable due to overcast skies and snow.
Wishing all a glorious, prosperous, and peaceful Return of the Light!