Winter solstice, kolyada or white yuletide. Day of the winter solstice What is the date of the winter solstice

Winter solstice

13:44 Moscow time

Since ancient times, in almost all cultures of the World the first twelve days following the Winter Solstice were given special sacred significance.

The priests very closely watched the phenomena of nature and events taking place on these sacred days. Since it is believed that the first of these 12 days shows and, most importantly, forms the events that will occur to a Man during the first month after the Winter Solstice. Those. the events that happened to us on December 22, as in the Mirror of Time, show us what the next 30 days will be like for us, etc.

Each of these 12 sacred days has a corresponding month.

Thus, December 22-23-24 The Lord of Time Kalachakra, with the help of various images and signs, reflects for us in his Mirror what will happen to us in winter.

Next three days: December 25-26-27- will show us the events of the future spring.

December 28-29-30- there will be situations that await us summer.

A, December 31st, January 1 and 2 we will be able to predict what the next will be for us autumn.

Knowing this formula, that 12 sacred days are equal to 12 months of the year, we can not only predict future events, but also shape them.

We can literally create or change our Future Time these days.

Therefore, traditionally, 12 sacred days after the Winter Solstice were devoted to various ritual actions. "What goes around comes around"... Good actions will form a Good Time for us. Not good actions will create Not good Time, not good periods and events in our life. The Law of Karma guarantees Absolute justice in this matter.

This is what the Tibetan astrological text "Jade Box" says about signs that accompany the day of the Winter Solstice:

• … “If the west wind blows, it’s bad, there will be many thieves and robbers;
• if a lot of snow falls on this day, then there will be many obstacles and unfavorable conditions for life;
• if on the day of the Winter Solstice there is clear and frosty weather, then this is very good - next year it will turn out to be a blessing for people and bring a good harvest;
• if the east wind blows, it will bring people many diseases and deaths;
• the south wind will bring a bad harvest, and the north wind will bring a good harvest;
• blue clouds on the day of the Winter Solstice also promise a good harvest next year;
• red clouds are a sign of future drought;
• black clouds - a lot of precipitation in the coming year;
• white clouds - will bring diseases to people;
• yellow clouds - the year will be favorable for construction work "...

Why is there so much importance in all astrological traditions?

given to the day of the Winter Solstice?

What happens to Time on this day?

From an astronomical point of view, this is the period when the sunrise point on the horizon gradually begins to shift towards the North and then, daylight hours begin to increase, and the length of the night begins to decrease. Therefore, in Tibetan Astrology it is believed that on the day of the Winter Solstice Heavenly and Earthly Gates swing open. And then, Savdak-Master of the Year, together with all his entourage, turns his back to the Sun and goes into the Past, to the West. And he is replaced by the New Master of the Year along with his retinue of Savdakov-Managers of separate time periods and spatial directions. So it begins Day of the Gods, which will last for six months of our Time Dimension.

Then, on the day of the Summer Solstice, the Night of the Gods will begin, which will also last for our six months and so on. Thus, one Day and one Night of the Gods on the summit of Mount Sumeru are equal to six months in the first half of the year and six months in the second half of the year on Earth, respectively.

Alexander Hosmo

The winter solstice in 2016 falls on December 21. The winter solstice begins on December 21, 2016 at 10:45 UTC or 13:45 Moscow time, when the Sun enters 0 ° of the Capricorn zodiac sign.

It is the shortest day and longest night of the year. The winter solstice is one of the main solar points of the year in astrology, along with the days of the spring and autumn equinox, the summer solstice.
Solstice is a critical moment. 3 days before and 3 days after the solstice, the Earth receives a huge flow of creative energy, this is a magical, sacred time of transition. These magical days are filled with special energy, which makes it possible to collect the pearls of wisdom and power of the outgoing year, draw a line under the past and lay the foundations for the future, make wishes, sow the seeds of new deeds and a new state, improve, change what needs to be changed; get rid of what gets in the way.
These are the days when you can really change your LIFE. Reborn just like the Sun. The entire Universe seems to freeze for three days to help Man create a New in his life. Our ancestors knew the power of these days and consciously used it.
We are all part of the Universe, and we are all participants in this magical process, whether we know about it or not. And we have a choice - to skip this unique opportunity or consciously use the energies of the Universe to change our Life.

Traditionally, in the old days, the revival of the Sun was celebrated on the winter solstice, it was celebrated at night, before the sunrise. The holidays Kolyada among the Slavs and Yule among the Germanic peoples are associated with this day. To give strength to the Sun, which, according to beliefs, should be reborn on this day, there was a custom to kindle a ritual fire. Often the logs for the fire were oak, because oak was considered to be a space tree. Sometimes they took a pine tree, which symbolized the dying sun god. The logs were decorated with carvings and corresponding symbols. To perform the ritual of reviving the Sun, they took 13 red and green candles with the Sun and other magical symbols carved on them.
Old pagan customs of the winter solstice included the tradition of placing bread or cakes on the branches of old trees, pouring sweet drinks on the trees as a gift to the forest gods. This was done in the hope that in gratitude the people would be given a good harvest in the coming seasons.
With the advent of Christianity, the ancient holiday of the winter solstice was timed to coincide with Christmas and the beginning of winter Christmastide. According to custom, on the longest night of the year, they would carol and divine for the future.

Details

There are two polar points in the year - the days when the sun's height above the horizon at noon is minimum or maximum. One of these fell on December 21, 2016. Today, the height of the sun above the horizon will be minimal, which means that the day will be the shortest of the year. Astronomers do not attach much importance to this event from the point of view of ritualism, at the same time, in different traditions, it was on the Day of the winter solstice that they "nodded", speaking of a sign or even a miracle.

So, this year the main point of the Winter Solstice Day 2016 will be the time 13:45 Moscow time.

Now, only historical chronicles are associated with the Day of the Winter Solstice. Most pagans have sunk into oblivion, choosing the true faith - Orthodoxy. But once everything was different. So, for example, it was believed that it was on the Day of the winter solstice that the New Year should be celebrated. And in the 16th century in Russia an interesting rite was associated with the winter solstice. The bell-ringing headman of the Moscow cathedral, who was responsible for the striking of the clock, came to bow to the tsar. He reported that from now on the sun had turned for summer, the day was increasing, and the night was shortening. For this good news, the king gave the elder money.

The seasonal meaning of the winter solstice is the turn from the gradual lengthening of the night and the shortening of the day to the opposite direction. Depending on the shift in the calendar, the winter solstice occurs on December 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere and June 20 or 21 in the Southern Hemisphere.

In different cultures, the interpretation of this event was perceived in different ways, but for most peoples it was regarded as a rebirth, at this time, holidays, meetings, rituals and other celebrations were organized.

INTERESTING FACTS

• The winter solstice always falls on December 21 or 22 in the northern hemisphere.
• The night before Winter Solstice is the longest. This year it lasted 17 hours. And the length of the day at the latitude of Moscow will be only 7 hours.
• In Russian folklore, a proverb is dedicated to the Day of the Winter Solstice: the sun - for the summer, winter - for the frost. Now the day will gradually increase and the night will decrease.
• It was on the shortest day of the year that our ancestors predicted the yield for the next year. So, for example, frost on trees - to a rich grain harvest.
• On this day, Saint Anfisa of Rome is commemorated, who suffered for the Christian faith in the 5th century.

ON A NOTE

Equinox and Solstice 2017

• vernal equinox - March 2010: 29
• summer solstice - 21 June 04:24
• autumn equinox - September 22 20:02
• winter solstice - December 21 16:28

Equinox and Solstice 2018

• vernal equinox - March 20 16:15
• summer solstice - June 21 10:07
• autumnal equinox - September 23 01:54
• Winter Solstice - December 21 22:23

Equinox and Solstice 2019

• autumnal equinox - 23 September 07:50
• Winter Solstice - December 22 04:19
• vernal equinox - 20 March 21:58
• summer solstice - June 21 15:54

Equinox and Solstice 2020

• vernal equinox - 20 March 03:50
• summer solstice - June 20 21:44
• autumn equinox - September 22 13:31
• Winter Solstice - Dec 21 10:02 AM

Solstice is one of two days of the year when the sun's height above the horizon at noon is at its minimum or maximum. There are two solstices in a year - winter and summer.

On the day of the winter solstice, the sun rises to its lowest height above the horizon. The astronomical longitude of the sun on the day of the winter and summer solstices is 90 and 270 degrees, respectively.

Astronomical winter

For astronomers, this is the beginning of winter, although optimists quite reasonably believe that from the day of the winter solstice, everything is slowly but surely approaching summer.

© photo: Sputnik / Igor Podgorny

In the northern hemisphere, the winter solstice occurs on December 21st or 22nd, with the shortest day and longest night. The moment of the solstice is shifted annually, since the length of the solar year does not coincide with the calendar time.

Since prehistoric times, the winter solstice has been celebrated as a very important event. In many cultures, the birth of the Sun and the New Year was celebrated on this day.

In different countries

Ancient people, who were in close contact with nature, were convinced that on the day of the winter solstice one could radically change fate, fulfill many cherished desires and even receive the support of higher powers.

People believed that on the day of the winter solstice, the barriers between the ghostly world and the kingdom of the living were erased, making it possible for people to communicate directly with spirits and gods.

In Persia, on this day, the birth of Mithra, the sun god, was celebrated. By tradition, he annually conquers winter and clears the way for the coming spring.

For pagan Europe, the winter solstice was marked by a twelve-day cycle of sacred festivals Yule, a symbol of the sacrament of the renewal of nature and the beginning of a new life.

© photo: Sputnik / Alexander Wilf

It was believed that on the night of the Yule holiday, all worlds converge in Midgard, all gods and goddesses descend to earth, trolls and elves talk to people, and the dead leave the Lower Worlds. People who communicate with the Other World leave their bodies and temporarily join the horsemen of the Wild Hunt or become werewolves or other spirits.

The inhabitants of ancient China believed that it was from the beginning of this period that the male power of nature grew stronger and gave rise to a new cycle. The winter solstice was a worthy celebration as it was considered a happy, fortunate day.

Everyone, from a commoner to an emperor, rested and had fun that day, showered each other with gifts, went to visit, laid large tables filled with various dishes. An important role on this special day was assigned to sacrifices to the ancestors and the God of Heaven, appropriate ceremonies and rituals were carried out in order to protect oneself from diseases and evil spirits. The winter solstice is still one of the traditional Chinese holidays.

© photo: Sputnik / Igor Ageenko

The Hindus call the winter solstice Sankranti. The holiday was celebrated in both Sikh and Hindu communities, where at night, on the eve of the festival, bonfires were lit, the flame of which resembled the rays of the Sun, which warm the earth after a cold winter.

Since ancient times, this day has been considered a holiday among the Slavs. In pre-Christian Russia, in the winter solstice, the onset of the pagan new year was celebrated. He was associated with the birth of Dazhdbog - the son of the supreme god-blacksmith Svarog - who gives people warmth and light.

People believed that the sun was stopped on this day by the formidable frost god Karachun, who became the prototype of the present Santa Claus. The rituals performed on the longest night were designed to help the Sun overcome the cruel Karachun, personified the victory of Light over Darkness. At the same time, fearing to anger and offend the harsh god of winter, people appeased him, not forgetting to offer sacrificial food.

© photo: Sputnik / Igor Mikhalev

The birth of the god of fun, Kolyada, also fell on the winter solstice. The holiday of the beginning of the first month of winter - Kolyadnya - was celebrated until January 6, traditionally calling these days "carols".

The cake that was baked that day resembled the same Sun in shape. A huge bonfire was lit, the flame of which soaring upward called the sun to begin its work.

In Scotland, there was a tradition to launch a burning wheel, symbolizing the solstice. The barrel was abundantly coated with resin, set on fire and launched down a hill, resembling a fiery luminary in rotating movements.

Traditions and rituals

Celebrating the winter solstice in the traditions of different peoples has a lot in common. The focus has always been on the customs of remembrance, attempts to win the favor of the forces that visited the world on the darkest night.

Many of the rituals of antiquity have survived to this day. For example, the New Year tree became the "heir" of the decorated tree that symbolized life - the main attribute of Yule.

The tradition of giving gifts, carols and treats on Christmastide days reflects the sacrificial ceremonies. And New Year's lights and candles now personify bonfires, which were designed to simultaneously protect and help in communication with spirits and mysterious forces.

The material was prepared on the basis of open sources.

Solstice is an important date that has both astronomical and energetic significance. December 21 is a special day when another "new" winter arrives.

December 21 is an important date for the ancient Celts. This people celebrated the New Year on the day of the winter solstice. The holiday was called Yule. On the night of December 20 to December 21, all the words that people say are perceived by the Universe more strictly, according to the Celts. Yule begins the so-called Wheel of the Year - a series of 8 Celtic holidays.

A new start to winter

As sages have said since ancient times, winter first comes in the soul of every person, when he is ready psychologically and morally for the cold and for changes. The second step of the onset of winter is immediate cooling and snowfall. When the earth turns white, there comes a visible winter, which has a special energy. Then comes the calendar winter, when December 1 seems to be talking about something important. On this day, you understand that the end of the year is approaching, that it is time to start changing yourself from the inside. The arrival of winter comes to an end in astronomical winter, when on December 21 the night rules over the day.

On this day, the black cold of space envelops the northern hemisphere of the Earth for the maximum possible time. After the day begins to grow, but before starting to recover, he will suffer a complete and unconditional defeat. In the eastern calendar, the winter solstice also has a decisive role, because the date of the New Year depends on it. Unlike the Celts, the Chinese and neighboring peoples choose the date based on the lunar calendar. Traditionally, the New Year comes, according to their rules, on the second new moon after December 21st. In 2016, that date will be January 28, when the Fire Rooster takes effect.

Solstice Astronomy and Astrology

Astronomically, the Solstice is not a whole day, but the moment when the Earth passes the fourth, final point of the ecliptic around the Sun. In 2016 Moscow time, the Earth will pass this "winter" point of its orbit at about 13 hours 41 minutes.

Psychics have never stood aside, discussing how the December Solstice is changing us. In their opinion, people are charged with positive energy on such days, because change is good from an energetic point of view. The world does not stand still - in the literal and figurative sense of the word.

Astrologers also say that the Solstice is positive. It is especially positive on the waning moon and on the new moon. This time, December 21 will be the day of the waning of the lunar disk. Libra will help the moon - a Sign that loves change more than any other. Try to devote this day to a change of appearance. Go shopping, visit a hairdresser, or simply allow yourself to wear something extraordinary.

Increase your energy on this day. On December 21, astrologers and psychologists advise to plan things for the future. Don't miss the chance to buy gifts for loved ones. Be happy and remember to press the buttons and