The Winter Solstice will occur at 23.03 GMT this evening (December 21st), after which the days will start to get longer (in the northern hemisphere). The Solstice has been celebrated in this part of the world for at least 5,000 years (and probably longer in other areas) as representing a rebirth, the beginning of a new year. So happy new year to all northern hemisphere readers. (Southern hemisphere readers will probably be bathed in glorious sunshine at the time of the Solstice, so make the most of it, your days are doomed to start getting shorter). |