LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Winter Solstice
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The Winter Solstice is the time when the Sun halts on its tropical journey south before recommencing its tropical journey north. This, the longest night of the year, happens on the eve of the 23rd of December (Dec 22). A major calendrical event, it is the focus of religious and social festivities in all cultures, including the Christian celebration of Christmas. The solsticial period lasts some three days as a rule, so when the Sun begins to rise earlier again after three days at its lowest ebb, it has traditionally been cause for jubilation since prehistoric times. This year in 2007 the December Solstice represents a major shift in global consciousness from Fiery spirit and outward-looking adventurism to Earthy material wellbeing and restructuring of political and social forces. This is represented by the recent movement of the two time-lords, Saturn from regal Leo to thoughtful Virgo and Jupiter from bold Sagittarius to ambitious Capricorn.
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The Pagan celebration of Winter Solstice (... known as Yule) is one of the oldest winter celebrations in the world. Ancient Egyptians held ceremonies during the solstice. And more than 4,000 years ago in Ireland, people built a tomb designed to let in light only during the solstice. Native Americans, such as the Hopi and Zuni Indians, celebrate the day. And people have honored the solstice in China, Japan, and Taiwan too. Even Hanukkah and Christmas are related to the winter solstice.
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At the Winter Solstice the Druids celebrate the festival of Alban Arthuan. The following is taken from the Festival of Alban Arthuan, of the Order of Bards Ovates and Druids. 'In every death is the seed of birth, and in the darkness of the longest night we await the dawn of the waxing year.' "At the Midwinter Solstice, around the 21st of December, the Sun enters the Cardinal Earth sign of Capricorn from the Mutable fire sign of Sagittarius, whose arrows point ever upward, aiming to the top of the Capricornian mountain, always seeking to move deeper into knowledge and wisdom and the understanding of all things. This is the festival of Alban Arthuan, Light of Arthur. Arthur the Sun King begins his return from Annwn, the child newborn as a weak flickering light that ... holds all the promise of Midsummer in his grasp. Now the sun appears to stand still for a few days on his lowest arc over the horizon, as the spiral of his path is tightly wound. Capricorn is the sign of the mountain goat, whose dogged persistence achieves the slow, steady climb from mountain base, Midwinter, to pinnacle, Midsummer, and whose people born under this sign show the same steady perseverance towards their goals. At the celebration of Alban Arthuan we extinguish our lights and wait awhile in silence and darkness, in the stillness of time, before rekindling the light for a new sun, The Mabon. The phase of the moon is Complete Dark, but like the promise of Midsummer that is inherent within the dark, so here is the promise of the Full Moon, and of growth."
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The Winter Solstice, historically known as Midwinter, occurs around December 21 or 22 each year in the Northern hemisphere, and June 20 or 21 in the Southern Hemisphere. It occurs on the shortest day or longest night of the year, marking the astronomical beginning of winter. Worldwide, interpretation of the event varies from culture to culture, but most hold a recognition of rebirth, involving festivals, gatherings, rituals or other celebrations. Many cultures celebrate or celebrated a holiday near the winter solstice; examples of these include Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Years, Pongal and many other festivals of light.[1]
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Just at sunrise on the days around Winter Solstice, rays of light beam down a corridor and into the burial chamber of Newgrange. The light shines on the triple spiral symbol shown here, one that is often linked to the Celts, but actually pre-dates them. The local visitor's center has a lottery every year, and though thousands apply to be in the chamber, only two gain entry, for each day around Winter Solstice. Last year, according to the site, 'Joe and Clare...experienced a glorious sunrise in the chamber.' The webcast this year means anyone can tune into the sacred turning of the solar year at Newgrange, just as they did 5,000 years ago.
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The winter solstice for 1999 was rather special. It involved the coincidence of the solstice, full moon and lunar perigee on the same date. (The moon's orbit around the earth is not circular; it is elliptical. "Perigee" simply means the point in the moon's orbit where it is closest to earth.) At this solstice, the moon was both full and at its maximum size (about 14% larger that at its minimum size). The last time that this happened was in 1866.The following full moon on 2000-JAN-21 was ... unusual - it was eclipsed by the earth's shadow.
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Winter Solstice