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What is a Solstice?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

Solstices are short periods during the course of the calendar year when the equator of the Earth is at the greatest distance from the sun. This phenomenon is created when the axis of the planet is tiled directly towards or away from the sun, causing the exposure of the equator of the planet to be further away from the rays of the sun. The time of solstice also has a direct impact on the amount of daylight that is experienced in different parts of the world just before, during, and after the occurrence.

The name for this period when the equator is furthest from the sun has its roots in two Latin words or terms. Sol is Latin for the sun, while sistere is understood to translate as standing still. Thus, a solstice is a time when it appears that the sun is standing still rather than moving around the earth. The actual word dates back to a time in human history when the earth was understood to be the center of the universe.

The orientation of Stonehenge, a megalithic site in Great Britain, aligns with the sun during the solstices and equinoxes.
The orientation of Stonehenge, a megalithic site in Great Britain, aligns with the sun during the solstices and equinoxes.

In many cultures, the solstice marks the midway point of a given season. People around the world tend to be familiar with the summer and winter solstices. What may be less well known is that many of the important holidays that are important to many different faiths and cultures take place in close proximity to these two periods. Holidays such as Saturnalia, Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa occur close to the winter solstice. Midsummer, St. John’s Eve, and the Wiccan holy day of Litha are all associated with the summer solstice.

Many cultures have holidays around the winter solstice.
Many cultures have holidays around the winter solstice.

In addition to the two times when the earth’s axis tilts the equator away from the sun, some people also count the occurrence of seasonal equinoxes as a time of solstice. The celebrations of Passover and Easter occur around the time of the spring equinox, while the Jewish holiday of Sukkot is close to the autumn equinox.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including AllThingsNature, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including AllThingsNature, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

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Discussion Comments

Logicfest

@Markerrag -- And I bet a lot of people don't know that. I'm not sure about how accurate the placement of Easter is, but I do know that Christ was most likely born in the spring instead of on December 25.

But, as you hinted, the actually dates did not matter so much. Converting pagans to Christianity was the goal and early Christians did that job well.

And don't take that to mean that I don't think putting those essential Christian holidays where they are is a bad idea or a move that diminished the significance of the events observed.

Markerrag

There is a very good reason that you find a couple of very important Christian holidays near those events. Pagan rituals were centered around both the winter solstice and spring equinox, so Christmas and Easter were put near them to co-opt those holidays.

It was a great strategy to help convert pagans to Christianity.

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    • The orientation of Stonehenge, a megalithic site in Great Britain, aligns with the sun during the solstices and equinoxes.
      By: Gail Johnson
      The orientation of Stonehenge, a megalithic site in Great Britain, aligns with the sun during the solstices and equinoxes.
    • Many cultures have holidays around the winter solstice.
      By: pwollinga
      Many cultures have holidays around the winter solstice.
    • Hanukkah occurs near the winter solstice.
      By: Carly Hennigan
      Hanukkah occurs near the winter solstice.
    • Litha, a Wiccan holy day, is associated with the summer solstice.
      By: Scott Griessel
      Litha, a Wiccan holy day, is associated with the summer solstice.