The winter solstice has arrived, bringing the shortest day and the longest night of the year.
While many have already been dealing with plenty of snow, the solstice officially marks the start of winter.
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, it also signals the beginning of Yule, a Pagan holiday celebrating the sun’s return and the land’s renewal as days slowly grow longer.
For many, the solstice is a time of rebirth and transformation, a tradition honored by countless cultures throughout history and still recognized by people of various faiths today.
This extra-long night and brief day happen due to the Earth’s tilt toward the sun.
During the winter solstice, the North Pole tilts farthest from the sun, giving the Northern Hemisphere the least daylight of the year.
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the solstice itself lasts just a moment—the exact point when a hemisphere is tilted as far from the sun as possible. It can fall anywhere between Dec. 20 and 23, though the 21st and 22nd are most common.
In 2024, it occurred on Saturday, Dec. 21. Winter wraps up the day before the spring equinox, which marks the start of spring, set for Friday, March 20, 2026.
K. Johnson - News97.ca
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