The Winter Solstice in the northern hemisphere occurs this weekend.  It is a time for new beginnings.   The Winter Solstice marks the time of the year when the Sun is farthest away from the northern hemisphere.

It was celebrated as a time of rebirth for ancient people because it meant the return of the life-giving sun!

The winter solstice marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. The sun appears at its lowest point in the sky, and its noontime elevation appears to be the same for several days before and after the solstice.

The origin of the word solstice, which comes from Latin solstitium, from sol, “sun” and -stitium, “a stoppage.” Following the winter solstice, the days begin to grow longer and the nights shorter.