Winter Solstice Shortest Day of the Year Means Longest Night in 2008

Today is the Winter Solstice and is also known as the longest night and shortest day of the year. Always occurring on or about December 21 the solstice marks the beginning of winter. From this point until summer solstice the days will get longer - if colder.

The term "yule log" came from the celebration of winter solstice. Celtics would cut use a hardwood log (often oak) and burn it through the twelve hours of darkness. The belief was that if the fire was able to burn all night without going out the family would have good luck the following year. A portion of the log was saved to light the fire with the next year. The lighting of the new oak log with a portion of the old one symbolized the ending of the troubles of the previous year.

With the economic woes our country is facing, wouldn't it be nice if some of our troubles were no more? While I do not believe that winter solstice can do that it is a nice thought. That glimmer of hope that things will get better is going to get me through the longest night of the year. How about you?








This winter photo was taken somewhere between Jelico, Tennessee and Berea, Kentucky in December 2008.