Why...why the feeling that there is a connection?

Winter solstice is almost gone as is the shortest day of the year. Now hope for longer days of sunlight and warmer weather takes the front position.

""It's all, I think, in our genes. It's fundamentally embedded," Hufnagel said. "It helps to understand our state of mind and why we feel the way we feel at the holidays - to understand there is a connection to the universe and a reason why we feel relieved and happy and want to celebrate."

I don't get it. Why is there this need to be "one with the universe" or nature.

"Time to celebrate the winter solstice"

For some, shift to gradually longer days a reason to celebrate

by

Pamela Wood

December 21st, 2009

Capital Gazette Communications, Inc.

Move over, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and even New Year's Eve.

Those celebrations are just the new kids on the block, at least compared to the winter solstice.

Today, the Northern Hemisphere will mark the winter solstice, the shortest day (and longest night) of the year, meaning that the amount of daylight will gradually increase as spring approaches.

Though the solstice has been marked with rituals since ancient times, it may go unnoticed by many in these hectic days leading up to Christmas and the end of the calendar year. Some, however, will celebrate the day with bonfires, meditation and even nature walks.

While the thought that today is indeed the longest night of the year may be depressing, others find it a sign of hope and change worth celebrating.

That sign of hope is one reason why religions throughout the ages have placed holidays around the winter solstice, said Beth Hufnagel, an Anne Arundel Community College astronomy professor.

"It's all, I think, in our genes. It's fundamentally embedded," Hufnagel said. "It helps to understand our state of mind and why we feel the way we feel at the holidays - to understand there is a connection to the universe and a reason why we feel relieved and happy and want to celebrate. It's only natural any religion would want to tie into this."

It's no coincidence that our calendar's new year is close to the solstice, too.

"Doesn't it seem natural to have a new year when the sun is coming back to us - a rebirth?" Hufnagel said.

For Hufnagel and other astronomers - both pros and amateurs - the winter solstice has an added benefit: It offers the most stargazing time.

While the solstice is "not an exciting thing to look at" in the realm of astronomy, it is an important point in the annual cycle of the Earth's motion in relation to the sun, Hufnagel said.

The Earth always tilts toward the North Star, and in winter the Northern Hemisphere is tilted slightly away from the sun, bringing us winter while the Southern Hemisphere has summer.

The return of the sun and the start of a new year will be the focus of a spiritual ceremony planned for tonight by Inspired Events of Maryland, an Odenton-based group that serves as a network for alternative spiritual and healing practitioners.

A main candle will be lit, and then participants will be invited to come forward to light more candles and share their hopes for the new year, said Mary Perry, manager of Inspired Events.

The candle-lighting will be followed by a period of meditation, then a potluck dinner.

This is the first winter solstice celebration for Inspired Events. "On the solstice, we want to welcome in the sun. … It is a time of celebration. It is the longest night of the year and from here on, the sun comes back into our lives," Perry said.

Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary on the Patuxent River in south county has been holding special nature hikes on or around the winter and summer solstices and the vernal and autumnal equinoxes for several years.

"We're very aware of the natural cycles of the year. We like to mark these," said Elaine Friebele, education director for Jug Bay.

While the winter solstice hike is a standard nature walk, the timing makes it special.

"It's to get out and enjoy nature, even in the sort-of-dormant time," she said. "We usually end on the deck overlooking the river with the sunset. It's a nice way to be out and acknowledge that the year is changing."