In 2015 the Solstice ("sun-stops") falls today on 22nd December (it is normally the 21st). This is the point where the sun stops falling lower in its apparent orbit across the sky in the Northern hemisphere as their Winter Solstice (shortest day) and now begins rising higher again, heralding increasing warmth as it heads toward the Equinox ("equal-night" and equal day) in three months time, and then in six months time their Summer Solstice.
But in the Southern hemisphere here in New Zealand it is the other way around. Today we celebrate our Summer Solstice, the longest day, and from now on our days begin growing shorter again. It was always a puzzle growing up in NZ to see Santa, sleighs and snow on all the Christmas cards and in the carol singing, when we were all playing on a hot sandy beach and swimming in the ocean. It never snows in Auckland, so even in winter we had to head on down south to see real snow.
The Romans celebrated Winter Solstice because they were grateful that it was going to get warmer again. However, to the naked eye the sun only starts visibly moving again on 25th December, which was why they celebrated that date as the Dies Natalis of Sol Invictus, the "Birthday of the Unconquerable Sun".
The Roman Saturnalia celebrations included food, games and drinking, gambling with dice, small gift-giving, and role-reversal where the masters and adults wait on the slaves and children, while acting up in jest and playing practical jokes. It is a fun family time of mirth and goodwill, much as we still like to do today. Io Saturnalia!
But in the Southern hemisphere here in New Zealand it is the other way around. Today we celebrate our Summer Solstice, the longest day, and from now on our days begin growing shorter again. It was always a puzzle growing up in NZ to see Santa, sleighs and snow on all the Christmas cards and in the carol singing, when we were all playing on a hot sandy beach and swimming in the ocean. It never snows in Auckland, so even in winter we had to head on down south to see real snow.
The Romans celebrated Winter Solstice because they were grateful that it was going to get warmer again. However, to the naked eye the sun only starts visibly moving again on 25th December, which was why they celebrated that date as the Dies Natalis of Sol Invictus, the "Birthday of the Unconquerable Sun".
The Roman Saturnalia celebrations included food, games and drinking, gambling with dice, small gift-giving, and role-reversal where the masters and adults wait on the slaves and children, while acting up in jest and playing practical jokes. It is a fun family time of mirth and goodwill, much as we still like to do today. Io Saturnalia!
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