What is the essence of the solstice days? What are solstice and equinox? Ancient rites of the summer solstice

After a long winter, we are all looking forward to the coming of spring. In March, buds appear on the trees, nature comes to life after a long sleep, birds sing and the sun shines. The Vernal Equinox Day, beloved by many - what date will it be in 2020 and how is it celebrated? Read the details in this article.

What happens on this day?

First of all, let's figure out what the spring equinox is. In fact, the answer lies in the name Equinox: day is equal to night, that is, the length of light and dark is the same.

There is a distinction between the spring equinox, which is celebrated in March, and the autumn equinox, which is celebrated in September. Some also talk about the spring solstice, but this is wrong. After all, they happen only in summer and winter - in June and December.

Holiday date in different years falls on different days: March 19, 20 or 21. The exact date depends on the year, it's all about the calendar shift due to leap years.

In 2020, the spring equinox will occur on March 20 at 06:50 am Moscow time. If you live in another region, you can calculate the time yourself, knowing Moscow time.

After this day, the length of daylight hours begins to increase, and the day becomes longer than the night.

Watch the video where the astronomical essence of the equinox phenomenon is revealed:

On March 21, the Sun moves from the zodiac sign Pisces to the sign of Aries, and astrological spring begins (the period of the signs Aries, Taurus, Gemini).

Since the Aries sign is associated with new things and initiative, this is a good time to start implementing new projects, implementing ideas and plans. Nature is being revived, so human activity in the world must also be revived.

Table of spring equinoxes until 2025

Year	Date and exact time in Moscow
2019	March 21 00:58
2020	20 March 06:50
2021	March 20 12:37
2022	20 March 18:33
2023	March 21 00:24
2024	20 March 06:06
2025	March 20 12:01

Ritual to fulfill a wish

The spring solstice is a time of miracles and mysticism, when the Wheel of Fate can be turned in the right direction. Traditionally, various rituals were performed on this day. Today I will present a spring ritual to make a wish come true.

Important conditions: the desire must concern you personally and it should not be associated with harm to other people.

Choose a quiet place and ask not to be interrupted for half an hour. Prepare a white candle.

Light a candle.
Find a comfortable position with a straight back, for example, sit cross-legged.
Place the candle so that it is comfortable to look at it.
Relax. Close your eyes. Breathe evenly and slowly.
Imagine that your wish has already come true. For example, if you want to buy a new car, then imagine yourself driving as if you were driving around the city in a brand new car. Mentally examine the registration certificate you just received.
Be sure to experience the emotions that a fulfilled desire will give you - delight, joy, satisfaction.
Now place the image of the wish fulfilled in the pink sphere.
The sphere rises up and flies into the sky, higher and higher.
You have let go of your desire, thus leaving a request to the Universe for its fulfillment.

Try to forget about your desire for a while. Then it will certainly come true.

Folk signs of the holiday

People pass on signs for the Day of the Vernal Equinox from generation to generation.

Whatever your thoughts and desires are, this will be the case all year. The fact is that on March 21, the energy template for the subsequent months of the year is laid. Therefore, thoughts must be positive, and wishes to other people only bright and kind. You can't wish bad things even on your enemies.
The more fun you have on this day, the more fun your year will be.
On this day, our ancestors looked for spring thawed patches and counted them. If you find 40 pieces, then spring will bring good luck.
If the day turns out to be frosty, then another 40 days of frost are expected. And if the day is warm, then there will be no night frosts.

The holiday of the spring equinox among different nations

The spring equinox is celebrated all over the world. Different peoples greet spring in different ways, but they all have common features - every person rejoices at the reborn Sun and looks forward to welcoming warmth.

Holiday among the Slavs

The holiday of the spring equinox among the Slavs was called Magpies or Larks. The first name comes from the Forty Martyrs of Sebastia - Christian soldiers who refused to make sacrifices to pagan gods because they deeply believed in Christ.

However, even in the pre-Christian era, the spring equinox was celebrated on a grand scale. It was believed that on this day there comes a balance between light and darkness. The sun wakes up to give people warmth and harvest.

The Slavs called the Day of the Vernal Equinox - Larks. According to legend, on this day migratory larks return to their homeland, followed by other migratory birds.

Before this day, any agricultural work was prohibited, as the land was still in hibernation. Now she has begun to awaken.

For the holiday, housewives made ritual pastries from unleavened dough in the shape of larks. Birds were often baked with their wings and crests spread out. But each housewife, of course, had her own recipe.

The baked larks were given to the children. They ran with them into the street, threw them up, imitating the arrival of birds. Sometimes children would put the birds on a stick to raise them even higher towards the sun. These ritual actions were accompanied by calls of spring, the children shouted out special chants - calls of spring.

After the game, the larks were eaten, but the heads of the birds were not eaten. They were usually given to livestock.

Fortune telling was also common. For example, the housewife baked one bird for each family member. A coin was placed inside one. Whoever gets the bird with the coin will be happy all year.

Spring Larks Baking Recipes

How to cook larks for the Spring Equinox? Watch the recipe in the video:

And here is another recipe - a simpler one, made from yeast-free dough:

Celtic holiday Ostara

The holiday, named after the goddess of fertility of the earth named Ostare, is celebrated on the Day of the Vernal Equinox. The ancient Celts opened the agricultural season from this day.

The goddess Ostare is one of the most “ancient” goddesses, known since the second millennium BC. It is also associated with the awakening of nature, with the first herbs and flowers.

On this day, the ancient Germans performed rituals for the fertility of fields and trees in the coming season. It was customary to cleanse people of the filth accumulated over the winter.

The following were popular on this holiday:

Pouring water;
Fumigation with smoke;
Jumping over the fire;
The descent of fiery wheels from the mountain;
Throwing fire arrows.

After the advent of Christianity, the pagan Spring Equinox was combined with the Christian Annunciation.

There are two main symbols of the goddess Ostare. The first of these is the moon hare or rabbit. It symbolized fertility (everyone knows how rabbits breed) and personified rebirth.

According to legend, the goddess Ostare saw a wounded bird in the snow. He took pity on the bird and, wanting to save it from death, turned it into a hare. In its new guise, the bird still laid eggs. Therefore, the second symbol of the holiday was considered an egg - a symbol of the Sun and the rebirth of nature.

The eggs were painted with protective symbols, as well as signs of peace, wealth, fertility, etc. The ritual is similar to the painting of Easter eggs that are familiar to us today.

Higan in Japan

The vernal equinox in Japan is associated with a Buddhist holiday called Higan. This is a public holiday and a day off for the Japanese.

However, the celebrations last a whole week: they begin 3 days before the equinox and end 3 days after it ends. The exact date of the equinox is calculated every year at the National Observatory.

The name “khigan” is translated as “that shore” or “the world where the souls of ancestors settled.” Accordingly, this is a holiday of honoring ancestors.

Before the holiday, the Japanese carefully clean their houses and put things in order. They clean the home altar with photographs of ancestors and their personal belongings, place fresh flowers and ritual food.

During the holiday week, Japanese residents go to the graves of their deceased relatives. All ritual dishes are vegetarian. This is a tribute to the Buddhist tradition of not killing any living beings and not eating meat. The menu is based on rice, vegetables, beans, root vegetables and vegetable broths.

On holidays, the Japanese visit Buddhist temples, order prayers and pay ritual honors to departed ancestors.

Soon after Higana, the cherry blossom season begins, which symbolizes the true rebirth of nature. All residents of the Land of the Rising Sun go to admire the beautiful and short-lived phenomenon.

Turkic Nowruz

The traditional holiday of Novruz or Nauryz is celebrated by the Turkic and Iranian peoples; it is one of the most ancient holidays in human history. Has no relation to Islam, originated in Zoroastrianism and is associated with the astronomical phenomenon of the spring equinox. It is considered the true beginning of the New Year.

Currently, Novruz is celebrated on March 21 in Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and other countries. In Russia, this holiday is celebrated in Bashkortostan, Tatarstan and Dagestan.

Preparations for Nowruz begin well in advance. Be sure to clean the house, pay off debts, and ask for forgiveness for the grievances caused. A variety of traditional dishes are prepared. Be sure to have a lot of sweets. It is believed that the richer the table, the happier the year will be.

Sprouted wheat is often placed on the table, symbolizing the rebirth of nature.

There is a tradition of organizing a fire festival on Novruz. For example, they make a fire and dance around it. And then they jump over the fire. It is believed that this allows you to cleanse yourself of all ailments and problems.

Thus, the date of the vernal equinox is very important in history and culture different nations peace. On this day everyone welcomes spring, the reborn sun and hopes for a rich harvest.

Incredible facts

From December 21 to 22, the Northern Hemisphere will experience its shortest day and longest night. This phenomenon is called the winter solstice.

The winter solstice marks the beginning of astronomical winter.

What happens during the winter solstice, when does this date fall, and what traditions exist on this day.

Here are the 10 most interesting facts about the shortest day of the year.

What date is the winter solstice in 2018

The date of the winter solstice varies from year to year and can fall between December 20 and 23, but most often occurs on December 21 or 22.

The reason is that the tropical year - the time it takes for the Sun to return to the same point relative to the Earth - is different from calendar year. The next winter solstice, which falls on December 20, will occur in 2080, and on December 23 only in 2303.

The winter solstice in 2018 falls on December 21 at 22:23 UTC ( December 22 at 1:23 MSK).

2. The winter solstice occurs at a certain short moment

The winter solstice occurs not only on a certain day, but also at a certain time of day, when the angle of the Earth's axis relative to the Sun is 23.5 degrees. In the northern hemisphere, the Sun occupies the lowest position above the horizon, and above the Arctic Circle the Sun does not even rise above the horizon.

As the winter solstice approaches, daylight hours shorten and then gradually lengthen. The winter solstice marks the shortest day and longest night in the northern hemisphere.

So, for example, in Moscow The length of the day during the winter solstice will be 7 hours 0 minutes 20 seconds compared to 17h 33m 40s during the summer solstice. In Helsinki, Finland, the day will last 5 hours 49 minutes, and in Murmansk there will be no sunrise at all - you can observe the polar night there.

4. Ancient cultures considered the winter solstice to be a time of death and rebirth

The seeming death of the world and the real threat of famine during the winter months weighed heavily on many cultures. Therefore, at this time, various holidays were often held, calling for the return of the Sun and hope for a new life.

During the rituals, fires were lit and cattle were sacrificed, followed by a feast with dishes made from the last of the fresh meat. In the Druid tradition, the death of the old Sun and the birth of the new Sun were revered.

5. The day is marked by new and unusual discoveries

Interestingly, on this day in 1898, Pierre and Marie Curie discovered radium, marking the beginning of the atomic age. And on December 21, 1968, Apollo 8 was launched, the first time humans entered lunar orbit and reached the Moon.

6. The word "solstice" is translated as "the sun stands still"

This is due to the position of the Sun in the sky relative to the horizon at noon, which rises or falls throughout the year and appears to stop at the solstice.

We are currently looking at this phenomenon from a cosmic location perspective. In ancient times, people thought about the trajectory of the Sun, how long it stood in the sky, and what kind of light it cast.

7. Stonehenge is aligned with the sunset on the winter solstice.

For a long time, for many people, the famous monument Stonehenge was a kind of sundial. Its main axis aimed at sunset, while another Newgrange monument marks the line of the rising Sun at the winter solstice.

Although the purpose of this ancient structure is still a matter of debate, it still has great importance during the winter solstice, bringing together many people from all over the world to celebrate this event.

Winter Solstice Festival

8. The ancient Romans celebrated the holiday of role reversal - Saturnalia

At this time, the Saturnalia holiday was held, when everything was turned upside down. Social roles changed, masters served slaves, and slaves were allowed to insult their masters. The holiday was named after the god Saturn, the patron saint of agriculture.

Wearing masks and pretending were also part of Saturnalia, where a king of revelry was chosen in each house. Over time, Saturnalia was replaced by Christmas, although many of its traditions in the West migrated to Christmas.

9. Many believed that dark spirits walked the earth during the winter solstice

The ancient Iranian festival of Yalda, celebrated on the longest night of the year, heralded the birth of ancient god The sun and his victory over darkness.

Zoroastrians believed that on this day evil spirits roamed the earth. People tried to carry out most nights in each other's company, held feasts, conversations, told stories and poems in order to avoid any clashes with dark entities.

The presence of evil spirits on the longest night is also spoken of in Celtic and Germanic folklore.

10. During the winter solstice of 2012, the end of the world was predicted

December 21, 2012 corresponds to date 13.0.0.0.0 in the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar used by the ancient Mayans. It marked the end of the 5126-year cycle. Many believed that such a combination of circumstances would lead to the end of the world or another cataclysm.

The calendar we are used to says that the year begins on the first of January and is divided into 12 months. But nature has its own laws, which, unfortunately, are poorly coordinated with astronomy. However, our ancestors knew and respected the laws of nature. The winter solstice was considered the most important holiday in the annual cycle - when will it be in 2019 and what practices are recommended for everyone? Read the details in this article.

What happens on this day?

First of all, let's figure out what the winter solstice is. On this day we can observe the longest night and the shortest daylight of the year. Magical time, isn't it? Our ancestors had no doubt about this.

Holiday dates:

December 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere (these are all countries above the equator);
June 20 or 21 – in the Southern Hemisphere (Australia, most Latin American countries, etc.).

The exact date depends on the year, it's all about the calendar shift due to leap years.

In 2020, the winter solstice will occur on December 21 at 13:02 Moscow time. If you live in another region, you can calculate the time yourself, knowing Moscow time.

On this day the Sun reaches its lowest position. Then, at the end of December and January, it rises higher above the horizon, making daylight longer.

In astrology, on this day the Sun moves from the zodiac sign Sagittarius to the sign Capricorn, and astrological winter begins (the period of the signs Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces).

Since Capricorn is associated with planning, at this time it is advisable to think through and write down goals for the coming year. Think about what is truly important to you and what you want to get rid of.

Our ancestors viewed the solstice as a time of rebirth, the emergence of hope and the joyful beginning of the path to solar abundance.

Some call the holiday the winter equinox. However, this is not true. The equinox occurs in spring and autumn, in March and September, when day is equal to night. And in winter and summer there are solstices.

Table of winter solstices until 2025

Year	Date and time in Moscow
2020	21 December 13:02
2021	December 21 18:59
2022	December 22 00:48
2023	December 22 06:27
2024	December 21 12:20
2025	December 21 18:03

What is so special about the solstices and equinoxes? See more about the astronomical meaning of this amazing phenomenon in the video:

Rituals and rituals

Many rituals are recommended to be performed on the day of the solstice. The fact is that this is the shortest and most mysterious day of the year. When a colossal amount of energy is generated in nature, but it does not manifest itself clearly, but is hidden in the dark corners of the longest night.

Before carrying out any rituals (several days before the holiday), it is necessary to carry out a thorough cleaning of the entire apartment or house:

Wash everything, even the most secluded corners.
Put things in order, put things in their places.
Clear out your closet and decide what you need and what you don't.
Collect unnecessary items and distribute them to those in need.

Thanks to such actions, you will clear space in your life for something new and joyful.

Ritual of letting go

Write down on paper everything negative and bad that happened during the year - what you want to get rid of or forget.
Say the appropriate words that you must choose for yourself. For example: “I forgive and let go of everything that happened” or “I leave these events in the past, let them go away and never return.”
Now burn a piece of paper, imagining how your sorrows are burned in the fire. And problems disappear with the smoke.
Feel liberated.

Ritual to fulfill a wish

A wish is made at dawn:

Stand facing east - look in the direction where the reborn Sun rises.
Thank the Sun for all the good things in your life and ask for help in the coming season.
Make a wish - try to mention as many details as possible.
Imagine that your wish has already come true. What do you feel? Let your imagination paint happy pictures.

On this holiday, it’s good to make wishes that involve renewing your life and attracting something new. It is also recommended to drink ginger tea throughout the day.

If your desire involves saving money, then the ideal option would be to open a bank savings account on the day of the solstice or the next day. By doing this, you will not only conceive what you want, but also take the first step towards realization. Which is very important.

Ritual for cleansing

Carried out in the bathroom:

Fill the bathtub with warm water.
Be sure to add sea salt, because it takes away all the negativity. But it’s better to avoid foam on this day.
Place several candles in the bathroom (an odd number), turning off the electric lights.
Prepare some pleasant music for relaxation. These can be sounds of nature, religious chants, ethnic music, and so on.
Lie down in the bath. Imagine that your body is heavy, filled with the worries of the passing year.
Now visualize that water and salt are taking away all your problems. And every moment your body becomes lighter.
Drain the water, imagining that everything bad goes away with it. Rinse off in the shower.

After performing the ritual, you will feel a true renewal at the level of body and soul.

Winter solstice holiday among different nations

Our distant ancestors relied on natural phenomena and the movement of the Sun when calculating time periods. The winter solstice point was significant for the construction of such historical structures as:

Stonehenge in the UK;
Newgrange in Ireland.

Their main axes are oriented along the sunrise and sunset on the solstices.

Ancient Roman Saturnalia

IN Ancient Rome On the days of the solstice, the festival of Saturnalia was celebrated in honor of the god Saturn. The celebration lasted from December 17 to 23. By this time all agricultural work was completed. And people could indulge in celebration and fun.

It was customary to temporarily stop public affairs and send schoolchildren on vacation. It was even forbidden to punish criminals.

Slaves sat at the same table with their masters and were freed from daily labor. There was a symbolic equalization of rights.

Crowds of celebrating people walked in the streets. Everyone praised Saturn. On the days of Saturnalia, a pig was slaughtered as a sacrifice, and then they began to have fun. A tradition of exchanging gifts arose, which later moved on to modern Christmas and New Year.

Yule among the ancient Germans

This is a medieval holiday, one of the main ones of the year. It was celebrated on a grand scale. The word “Yule” was used to describe the longest night of the year, which fell on the winter solstice.

It was believed that on this day the Oak King was reborn, he warmed the frozen ground and gave life to seeds in the soil, which were stored during the long winter, so that by spring they would germinate and give a harvest.

People lit fires in the fields. It was customary to drink alcoholic drink cider. Children went from house to house with gifts. Baskets were woven from branches of evergreens and ears of wheat, and apples and cloves were placed in them, which were sprinkled with flour.

Apples are a symbol of the sun and immortality, and wheat is a symbol good harvest. Flour meant light and success.

Houses were also decorated with tree branches: ivy, holly, mistletoe. It was believed that this helped to invite the spirits of nature to join the celebration. Spirits could bestow happy life household members.

On the Yule holiday, a ritual log was burned, the Yule tree was decorated (a prototype of the New Year's tree) and gifts were exchanged. The image of the log has been preserved in many countries to this day.

Holiday in Christianity

In Christianity, these days celebrate the Nativity of Christ. In the Catholic tradition, it occurs on December 24, when the Sun, after passing its lowest point, is again “reborn” and rises higher.

It is believed that when Christianity replaced paganism, new Christian holidays merged with pagan ones. This is how Christmas appeared in its modern form with a decorated Christmas tree and gifts for loved ones and friends. After all, in fact, this is the celebration of the birth of Christ, but it is celebrated very similar to the medieval Yule.

In Orthodoxy, due to the use of the Julian calendar, the date is 2 weeks behind the solstice; Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7. However, historically it is the same date. It’s just that over the course of two thousand years the solstice point has shifted by half a month.

Holiday in Slavic culture

The Slavs celebrated the day of Karachun - the harsh deity of winter. They believed that Karachun brings winter cold to the earth, plunging nature into winter sleep.

Another name for the deity is Korochun, which means “the shortest.” The winter solstice precedes the rebirth of the Sun.

Bonfires were burned everywhere, which were designed to help the Sun gain victory over death and be reborn. After Karachun the nights waned, and daylight hours became longer.

Subsequently, this deity turned into Frost - a gray-haired old man, from whose breath bitter frosts begin and rivers become covered with ice. The Slavs believed that if Frost hit the hut with his staff, the logs would crack.

Frost does not like those who are afraid of it and hide, complain about the cold and quickly get cold. But to those who are not afraid of him, he bestows rosy cheeks, strength of spirit and good mood. This is reflected in the fairy tale “Morozko”.

Video

Despite the enormous progress achieved, even modern technologies unable to disrupt the magic of natural cycles: the lunar days will not change places, and summer will not come after autumn. And this is wonderful, because many phenomena are associated with the centuries-old traditions of our ancestors, which should not be forgotten.

The frantic pace of life may not always help us to get everything done and continue to be in harmony with the Universe, but if we take our minds off the hustle and bustle for a while, we can, as experts say, “learn Zen” and put things in order in our lives. attitude.

Winter Solstice Day 2018: when will it be

Holiday dates:

December 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere (these are all countries above the equator);
June 20 or 21 – in the Southern Hemisphere (Australia, most Latin American countries, etc.).

The exact date depends on the year, it's all about the calendar shift due to leap years.

In 2018, the winter solstice will occur on December 22 at 01:23 am Moscow time. If you live in another region, you can calculate the time yourself, knowing Moscow time.

On this day the Sun reaches its lowest position. Then, at the end of December and January, it rises higher above the horizon, making daylight longer.

In astrology, on this day the Sun moves from the zodiac sign Sagittarius to the sign Capricorn, and astrological winter begins (the period of the signs Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces).

The important calendar of cyclical natural events, which guided our ancestors, includes two solstices a year - summer and winter. Both of them are very important because they imply an astronomical event when the daytime celestial body occupies the highest or lowest point above the horizon. It goes without saying that the length of the day primarily depends on this: it can be either the longest or the shortest.

The winter solstice, which will occur from the twenty-first to the twenty-second of December, will be marked by short daylight hours and the longest night of the year. According to Greenwich, it will happen at 22 hours 23 minutes, and if we take Moscow time, then it will be 01 hour 23 minutes, that is, the difference is two hours.

Winter Solstice Day: traditions and beliefs

The traditions of many peoples included celebrations of the winter solstice, as it marked the birth of a new Sun. The ancient Celts, whose traditions have echoes in many cultures, celebrated this event along with the Yule holiday.

For the Winter Solstice, our ancestors tried to prepare their homes in a special way: general cleaning was carried out, which meant getting rid of unnecessary trash, and the rooms and houses were decorated outside spruce branches. In the center of the main room they tried to place something that would symbolize the Sun: it could be a yellow or golden colored craft, or a simple orange orange.

As during the summer solstice, bonfires were lit on the winter solstice: the larger and brighter they are, the better. Our ancestors believed that in this way they help the new Sun to be reborn, and give it fiery forces to shine brightly and hotly. The Slavs considered the winter solstice the New Year, which came immediately after the Sun Festival.

The celebration was called in honor of Kolyada, the god of the new Sun. He was also called Kaledi, Kadmus or Kolodiy, and this deity was considered a symbol of the transition of the year. They celebrated it on a grand scale: they sang songs, held dances and feasts. From there came the tradition of always giving loved ones at least some gifts, since our ancestors believed that stingy people would not find happiness in the New Year.

Modern traditions of celebrating Winter Solstice

Contemporaries do not always have the opportunity to go out and light a big fire: at least in a metropolis this will become an act of conscription fire service or neighbor's anger. But we can celebrate the Winter Solstice, so it’s better to focus on various practices and rituals. This sounds a little scary, but don’t be afraid: you can take only the basics from those who have been doing it for a long time, and bring the rest into your life intuitively.

For example, try meditation. Read about the most simple ways do it and remember: simple does not mean ineffective. On Winter Solstice Day, a simple visualization technique can work: write a list of what you want to accomplish, or even better, make yourself a so-called “vision board”, where you paste pictures with desired achievements.

Carefully consider everything you have created, or re-read the list you have compiled, close your eyes and imagine that everything has already come true. Instill this thought in yourself, and don’t think differently: you already have everything, you just can’t use it yet. As experts say, after such practices everything will come true in the shortest possible time, but on the condition that you do not sit idly by. And you can also tell fortunes using either cards or other available materials, or even the most ordinary dream.

Try also a ritual of “letting go of the past.” On December 21, right at sunset, you should go outside or open the window wide. Bring a piece of paper and a pen with you. While the old sun goes below the horizon, you need to try to remember everything bad and everything negative that happened this year. This could be relationships with people, the people themselves, illness, litigation, job changes, loss of money, unpleasant conflict situations. You need to write about all this on paper, and then burn this paper with fire. Leave to burn just before the setting sun. All the bad things will go away along with the old sun. And the next morning, along with the new sun, the long-awaited cleansing and relief will come.

If you don’t have time to do something like this, then just make a wish, but formulate it correctly. Wait until the hour of the winter solstice, and go for it - most likely, your desire will come true soon and well. Specialists also conduct various magical practices on such days aimed at attracting money, luck and love.

Table of winter solstices until 2025

Year	Date and time in Moscow
2018	December 22 01:23
2019	December 22 07:19
2020	21 December 13:02
2021	December 21 18:59
2022	December 22 00:48
2023	December 22 06:27
2024	December 21 12:20
2025	December 21 18:03

Video - What is remarkable about the days of solstices and equinoxes:

Winter solstice holiday among different nations

Stonehenge in the UK;
Newgrange in Ireland.

Their main axes are oriented along the sunrise and sunset on the solstices.

Ancient Roman Saturnalia

In ancient Rome, on the solstice days, the festival of Saturnalia was celebrated in honor of the god Saturn. The celebration lasted from December 17 to 23. By this time all agricultural work was completed. And people could indulge in celebration and fun.

It was customary to temporarily stop public affairs and send schoolchildren on vacation. It was even forbidden to punish criminals.

Slaves sat at the same table with their masters and were freed from daily labor. There was a symbolic equalization of rights.

Yule among the ancient Germans

It was believed that on this day the Oak King was reborn, he warmed the frozen ground and gave life to seeds in the soil, which were stored during the long winter, so that by spring they would germinate and give a harvest.

People lit fires in the fields. It was customary to drink the alcoholic drink cider. Children went from house to house with gifts. Baskets were woven from branches of evergreens and ears of wheat, and apples and cloves were placed in them, which were sprinkled with flour.

Apples are a symbol of the sun and immortality, and wheat is a symbol of a good harvest. Flour meant light and success.

Houses were also decorated with tree branches: ivy, holly, mistletoe. It was believed that this helped to invite the spirits of nature to join the celebration. Spirits could give a happy life to household members.

Holiday in Christianity

Holiday in Slavic culture

The Slavs celebrated the day of Karachun - the harsh deity of winter. They believed that Karachun brings winter cold to the earth, plunging nature into winter sleep.

Another name for the deity is Korochun - which means “the shortest”. The winter solstice precedes the rebirth of the Sun.

Bonfires were burned everywhere, which were designed to help the Sun gain victory over death and be reborn. After Karachun, the nights waned and the daylight hours became longer.

Frost does not like those who are afraid of it and hide, complain about the cold and quickly get cold. But to those who are not afraid of him, he bestows rosy cheeks, fortitude and good mood. This is reflected in the fairy tale “Morozko”.

Video - winter solstice

Many people have heard about the summer solstice. What is this phenomenon? From point of view ordinary person, it's simple - it's the longest day of the year. Why? At noon, the sun reaches its highest level above the Northern Hemisphere horizon, so it takes longer to rise and then set. On this day the shortest shadows are cast. In addition, unusual and even miraculous properties are attributed to it. Not only verified facts, but also beautiful ancient legends will help you understand this unique astronomical phenomenon.

Scientific facts

From the point of view of a specialist, this is an event of astronomical order. On this day, the Earth, in its constant rotation, crosses the summer solstice. That is, in fact, this phenomenon is not fixed, but instantaneous and lasts literally one moment. A natural question arises about what exactly the point of the summer solstice is. And here it seems that special astronomical terms should be needed. But it's actually simple. This is the point of maximum declination on the day of the summer solstice of the earth's axis in relation to the Sun. The closer, the hotter, right?

So it turns out that this phenomenon heralds the beginning of astronomical summer in the Northern Hemisphere. And in Yuzhny, accordingly, astronomical winter is coming. And this time, as a rule, falls on June 20, 21 or 22. The inaccurate date is a consequence of minimal deviations in the annual trajectory of the globe. For example, in 2015, the summer solstice was recorded on June 21 at 16 hours 38 minutes, and in 2016 - on June 20 at 22 hours 34 minutes UTC - uniform universal time.

And the day lasts longer than a century...

The length of the day at the summer solstice depends on the area in which it is observed. At this time, at the latitude of Moscow, the sun rises to a height of about 57 degrees above the horizon. This means that the daylight hours will last approximately 17.5 hours, while the dark time will last only 6.5 hours. The Arctic Circle says goodbye to the night altogether. There comes a polar day, which lasts the whole day.

The South Pole, on the contrary, is visited by the polar night. Over the next few days, the sun rises to approximately the same level. Therefore, this phenomenon is called solstice. After this, days begin to shorten in the Northern Hemisphere, and increase in the Southern Hemisphere. And the natural cycle enters another phase. Now everything is slowly but surely starting to move towards the winter solstice. And this is a completely different story, with which our locks are also associated with many beliefs and legends.

Nearest Solstice

It must be said that in our latitudes the summer solstice usually occurs on June 21st. The exception will be 2024. According to astronomers, this year the sun will pass through the summer solstice on June 20 at 23:50 Moscow time. In 2018, this astronomical phenomenon will occur on June 21 at 13:07 Moscow time.

What does this moment mean for us? First of all, the astronomical summer of 2018 will come. In addition, the sun, according to the zodiac calendar, will move into the zodiac sign Cancer. Of course, the day will gradually begin to shorten. And most importantly, the shortest night of the year awaits us! A time covered in numerous rumors and legends.

It is interesting that at the dawn of this day, a ray of sun will definitely touch the treasured mark in Stonehenge. The ancient structure was intended for calculating calendar time. And such an event as the maximum declination of the sun on the day of the summer solstice never went unnoticed by our ancestors.

Solstice and equinox

Let's ask ourselves how the days of the solstice and equinox differ. There are several differences. Let's look at each of them:

Seasons. The solstice is observed under diametrically opposed temperature conditions. And correspondingly, natural conditions- in winter and summer. The equinox occurs twice a year - in spring and autumn.
Duration of dark and light time of day. At the equinox they are equal, but at the solstice they are not.
The position of the sun above the horizon. Solstice is an extreme. That is, the sun, depending on the time of year, occupies either a maximum or minimum position above the horizon. During the equinox, the sun is at the center of these two extremes.
Solar activity. During the equinoxes, heat is dissipated evenly throughout the hemisphere. During the solstice, experts record either a maximum or minimum of solar heat.
The location of the sun is at its zenith. At solstices it can be seen in the tropics at 23.5° south or north latitude. During the equinoxes, residents of the equatorial regions observe it strictly overhead, that is, at the very zenith.
Time of manifestation. The spring and autumn equinox occur on March 20/21 and September 22/23, respectively. The summer solstice, as we already know, is June 20/21, and the winter solstice is December 20/21.

Ancient rites

Our ancestors attached great importance to the summer solstice. Their life was subject to the forces of nature. And the sun was considered a symbol of unyielding divine power. The pagans considered this day sacred. They performed magical rituals, calling on their gods for help and support. Children born on this day were supposed to have enormous strength and indestructible health.

Before Christianity took root, the holiday of Kupala also fell on the summer solstice. People revered the ancient pagan God and celebrated him in every possible way. On this day, wreaths of flowers and meadow grass were woven, round dances were held, large bonfires were burned, over which people were required to jump. The wreaths were floated down the river. This was done in memory of the ancestors. In addition, the Slavs created an effigy in the form of a wheel and solemnly burned it. It symbolized the sun (Yarilo).

Magic fern

The main role in ancient pagan beliefs was given to ferns. The Slavs associated the legend of treasures with it. On the day of the summer solstice, they waited until night and went far into the forest to look for a magical plant. There was a belief that at midnight a magical fern flower opens. He appears for just a few moments, and in that moment countless treasures can be found. They are hidden nearby. A Magic force the shortest night of the year will help you find them, no matter how deeply they are buried.

Folk signs

As mentioned above, on the day of the summer solstice the Slavs honored Kupala. There are a huge number of signs associated with this holiday. The people believed that whoever does not go to the Bath will be a tree stump, and whoever goes to the Bath will be a white birch tree, “on Kupala there is sun for the winter, and summer for the heat,” etc. The holiday had several local names. It was called Kupala, Kres, Kolosok Ivan the Travnik, Yarilin's Day, Kupala, Ivan the Koldunsky, the Festival of Love and the Sun, the Day of the Spirits, the Festival of Dew, etc. All these names reek of fragrant herbs, warm nights and pagan romance. Summer warmth was accepted as the highest gift from heaven. And it should have been followed by a rich harvest, which means peace and prosperity in the family.

With the advent of Christianity

After the arrival of the Orthodox religion in Rus', public festivities on Kupala were not cancelled. It’s just that now people didn’t correlate it with the summer solstice. What is a holiday without the main character of the celebration? And the Slavs combined it with the day of remembrance of the Christian saint - John the Baptist. The holiday was moved to June 24. Everything was going as well as possible. However, according to the new style, Kupala is celebrated on July 7th. And this date runs counter to the onset of the astronomical solar equinox.

In Europe

Not only the Slavs held a holiday when the day of the summer solstice arrived. The Celtic peoples of Britain also celebrated the onset of astronomical summer. They called this holiday Lita and also associated it with the pagan cult of the sun.

In Norway, they still celebrate Midsummer's Eve, on which they walk until dawn. It is believed that a sleepless night will provide well-being for the whole year. In addition, at dusk you can hear the magical singing of elves, and this also brings happiness. The official name of the holiday is St. Hans' Night (Sankthansaften). The Norwegians put into it all the poetry of their northern region.

In Sweden, Midsommar is held on the last Saturday of June. It usually falls on June 21-26. Moreover, the Friday before it is also a non-working day. And the Swedes celebrate midsummer on a special scale.

In Finland, the holiday of Johannus (this is the outdated name of John the Baptist) was completely combined with the official holiday date - the country's National Flag Day. Previously, it was called Ukon Yukhla and was celebrated in honor of the almighty god of Fire.

Modern approach

The days of the summer solstice are called days of Power. This is a time of special energetic and natural vibrations. Experts advise using it to cleanse the mind and establish inner harmony. All desires and aspirations of a person acquire a special meaning. The period from June 20 to June 23 is called the strongest in terms of energy. On the 4th day of the summer solstice you need to be especially careful. At this time, your thoughts, actions and actions have extraordinary significance. They can influence the future fate over the next three years.

There are many rituals for the solar solstice. But they all boil down to a few basic rules:

Now you have an idea of what the summer solstice is. Be happy and healthy!