What date is Winter Solstice Day in 2019

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

Nature has always lived and lives according to its own special laws, which a person cannot change. People can only adjust to her whims, look closely, observe. And then, based on these very observations, establish any important dates.

Winter Solstice 2019

This term is usually called an astronomical event in which a celestial body occupies one or another position relative to the horizon - the lowest or highest point. This determines the length of the daytime. In the case of the winter solstice, the day will be the shortest of the year, the night the longest.

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In 2019, this important event will take place on December 22 at 07:19 Moscow time or 04:19 GMT.

The winter solstice is characterized by the greatest tilt of the earth's axis relative to the sun. From this moment, the day begins to gradually lengthen, and the nights decrease.

The date is "floating" and can fall between the 20th and 23rd of the first month of winter. Most often, it happens on December 21-22. Moreover, an interesting pattern was revealed - before the onset of a leap year (for example, 2019), the astronomical date falls on December 22, in the next 3 years the winter solstice occurs on the 21st.

True, this applies only to the zero belt. For example, according to universal time, the solstice occurs on December 21, and in Moscow and in the eastern regions of Russia at that time it may already be December 22.

Folk omens

The Slavs associated with this date a large number of folk signs related to weather and agriculture.

1. On the shortest day of the year, it was supposed to shake the apple trees in order to get a rich harvest of these fruits next season.
2. Another sign is connected with the harvest. Cherry branches cut at this time must be placed in water and, if they are covered with young leaves before Christmas (January 7), it means that in the fall the fruit trees will delight the owners with delicious fruits.
3. In the morning they went outside and looked at the trees - branches covered with hoarfrost predicted a high grain yield.
4. The direction of the wind, if it blows on the 22nd, will not change until the vernal equinox.

Subsequent dates were also considered key in terms of the weather.

1. So, the onset of spring was determined by the behavior of the sun. If the weather was clear during the day on the 25th, late spring was expected, and, conversely, the cloudy sky foreshadowed the early start of sowing work.
2. By the same date, the weather for the New Year holidays was determined: a sunny day promised frost, a cloudy day - warm.

History and traditions

The ancient Slavs considered the date a significant event and even established some traditions.

They were sure that it was on this day that evil spirits got out of the dungeons and fed on the energy of the living. Therefore, spruce needles were hung all over the dwelling, the sharp aroma of which, as it was believed, scared away unwanted guests.

With the onset of darkness in the center of the village on the square, a fire was kindled to support the forces of the nascent new sun with a flame.

In Old Slavonic, the God of the new Sun was called Kolyada, and later people began to celebrate the holiday of the same name. Carols, as a rule, took place on a large scale - folk festivals with dances and songs were organized. The Slavs believed that the more fun the celebration was, the brighter Kolyada would illuminate their lives.

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Celebration by other nations

In Scotland, it was customary to launch a round burning object from the mountain, which symbolized the solstice. The barrel, richly oiled with resin, was set on fire and sent down a high slope.

The Italians during this period (December 17-23) worshiped Saturn, the God of agriculture. Household affairs were postponed until a later period, students were freed from classes. After the traditional sacrifice, great fun began.

The ancient Germans also celebrated the solstice day on an equal scale. They believed that at this time the King of the Oak was reborn, warming the frozen soil and giving life to the sown seed. Fireplaces were kindled in the sown areas, the girls wove baskets of wheat ears and branches of evergreen plants, where they subsequently poured cloves or apples, dusting them with flour on top.

The Chinese still keep ancient traditions. When this date comes, they stop all work, relax, have fun, go to visit and invite everyone to their house, where they prepare a rich, or not very rich table with a variety of dishes.

Bonus

1. The day of the solstice, both winter and summer, is considered a significant astronomical date, with which many weather and agricultural signs are associated. By the way, they can be used in 2019 as well.
2. The ancient peoples, and not only the Slavs, on the 21st-22nd of the first winter month worshiped the Gods, who gave them sunshine and a rich harvest.
3. It is generally accepted that the rituals performed on the day of the solstice necessarily promise prosperity, and fortune-telling comes true.