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Experience the magic of the heavens on the December Solstice, occurring on December 21! Historically, many ancient cultures celebrated this cosmological event, marking it with grand festivities and rituals. It's the day with the shortest daylight hours in the Northern Hemisphere, while for our friends in the Southern Hemisphere, it's the longest day of the year. So, whether you're bundling up to enjoy enchanting winter nights, or basking in the glow of extended sunshine, the December Solstice is a global celebration of nature's awe-inspiring rhythms. Embrace this extraordinary day, as we honor the endless dance between sun and earth!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>3100 BC</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Stonehenge Construction</div><div class='timeline-text'>One of the earliest known observatories, Stonehenge in England, was constructed to align with the sun's position during solstices.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1200 BC</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Newgrange Alignment</div><div class='timeline-text'>In Ireland, the ancient passage tomb at Newgrange is perfectly aligned with the rising sun on the December Solstice, illuminating its inner chamber.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>500 AD</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Mayan Celebrations</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Maya civilization of Central America marked the December Solstice with grand festivities, celebrating the rebirth of the sun.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>800 AD</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Yule Traditions Begin</div><div class='timeline-text'>In Scandinavia, people began to celebrate Yule, a festival that occurs from late December to early January, around the time of the solstice.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1300s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Inca's Inti Raymi</div><div class='timeline-text'>In Peru, the Inca Empire celebrated Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun, near the time of the December Solstice.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1700s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Western Scientific Observations</div><div class='timeline-text'>Western scientists and astronomers began observing and studying solar patterns during solstices, increasing understanding of Earth's tilt and orbit.</div></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Host a thematic party</h3><p class='facts-text'>Organize a Solstice party with appropriate decorations such as sun, moon, and star props for ornamentation. Use foods that are symbolic of the season – citrus fruits, nuts, spiced drinks, etc. Light a bonfire if possible, symbolizing the return of the sun, and enjoy a warm evening with loved ones!</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Create a solstice lantern</h3><p class='facts-text'>Making homemade lanterns can add a bit of luminous magic to the longest night of the year! Decorate them with cosmic motifs, light them up, and place them around your home to guide the return of longer days.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Practice sunrise or sunset yoga</h3><p class='facts-text'>The December Solstice being all about the connection between earth and sun, doing a yoga session at sunrise or sunset can be a powerful way to honour this day. Aligning your body and spirit with these celestial events brings a profound sense of peace and connection with nature.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Organize a stargazing evening</h3><p class='facts-text'>Winter solstice nights, with their prolonged hours of darkness, are perfect for stargazing! Check out the night sky and see if you can spot constellations, planets, or maybe even a meteor shower. Bring a warm blanket and a thermos of hot chocolate or mulled wine for added comfort while you gaze up at the heavens!</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Plant a tree</h3><p class='facts-text'>In honor of Mother Nature and her majestic winter solstice, plant a tree in your yard or contribute to a tree-planting charity. Trees are an essential part of the earth’s ecological balance and what better way to show your respect for nature than helping it thrive as we welcome the return of the sun.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's steeped in history and culture</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The fascination with the December Solstice is deeply rooted in human history, with countless cultures having celebrated this astronomical phenomenon in the past. This sense of connection to our ancestors and seeing how we fit into the grand scheme of the world makes the celebration all the more interesting and meaningful.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It brings us closer to nature</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The December Solstice is a time for us to appreciate our natural surroundings - be it the sunnier days of the Southern Hemisphere or the longer nights in the North. We have a chance to truly engage with our environment, whether that’s by stargazing, watching the sunrise, or planting a tree.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Various ways to celebrate</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Whether it's throwing a themed party, doing yoga at sunrise or sunset, or creating your own solstice lanterns, there are countless ways to celebrate the December Solstice. Each activity offers a unique way to honor this celestial event, making it a fun and versatile celebration for everyone involved!</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The December Solstice varies slightly each year</h3><p class='facts-content'>While the solstice usually occurs on December 21, it can vary between December 20 and 23 due to the slight discrepancy between the Earth’s rotation around the sun and our calendar year.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>It's not always the coldest day of the year</h3><p class='facts-content'>Despite being the shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere, the December Solstice is rarely the coldest day of the year. There's usually a lag between the shortest day and the chilliest temperatures, which tend to occur in January or February.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The word 'Solstice' translates to 'sun stands still'</h3><p class='facts-content'>The term 'Solstice' comes from the Latin words 'sol' (sun) and 'sistere' (to stand still). This refers to the moment when the sun appears to pause in its path across the sky before reversing direction.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The solstice sun sets at its southernmost point</h3><p class='facts-content'>In the Northern Hemisphere, the solstice sun sets at its southernmost point on the horizon, resulting in the shortest day of the year. Conversely, in the Southern Hemisphere, it sets at its northernmost point, marking the longest day.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The December Solstice marks the start of astronomical winter</h3><p class='facts-content'>For those living in the Northern Hemisphere, the December Solstice signifies the first official day of winter. On the other hand, it’s the start of summer for those in the Southern Hemisphere.</p></div></div>
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