Alaska Winter Solstice 2006
Recently the long running “Fly by Night Club” closed its doors and the wildly funny Mr. Whitekeys is doing other things now (Friday evening comical news segments on Channel 2). There is another ‘Club’ here that only comes around once a year and it is that time again. "The Long Night Club" is where all Alaskans are today. It was snowing all day so there was little additional light with the overcast skies. The one glimpse of the sun was just as it was setting around 3:15 pm AST this afternoon. It could be seen through the snowfall as an orange ball dropping below the horizon so as The Winter’s Solstice came at 4:22 pm Alaska time (7:22 pm EST) so began "The Long Night Club" in the northland.
The sun appears at its lowest point in the sky, and its noontime elevation appears to be the same for several days before and after the solstice which give the “sun stands still” observation. The origin of the word solstice comes from Latin solstitium, from sol, "sun" and -stitium, "a stoppage." Following the winter solstice, the days begin to grow longer and the nights shorter and the noonday sun will rise higher and higher in the sky.
Ancient cultures the world over have built tombs, temples, henges, and other structures to align with the sun, marking the solstices and equinoxes. After thousands of years we still marvel at the sun’s travels across the sky above us. No one's really sure how long ago humans recognized the winter solstice and began heralding it as a turning point, the day that marks the return of the sun. Many, many cultures the world over perform solstice ceremonies and
Many “Outside” ask Alaskan’s why we stay here during those long, cold, and dark nights and probably the common answer from most people would be, “Because of the many hours of sunlight in the summer to do so many things and enjoy the beautiful surroundings found here.” We marvel at the time each year, both winter and summer that makes this area so unique and different than other places. Those living in the upper latitudes gain a unique perspective on life, people, and have an opportunity to share with others this fun time of year. It is a place of extremes and adaptability for most people and one that is quickly learned as your very survival depends on it.
This is the season when we learn, from nature, how to honor the darkness of life's mysteries without losing faith . . . how to recognize the seeds of growth and nurture them in our own inner warmth until the light of day returns . . . how to look inward during the darkness and to face our own realities with grace, serenity, faith, and the power within us to be positive. Once again we learn that even in the darkest moments we have choice, everyone has pain in their lives but we “choose” to be miserable or make the day into one of growth. Health issues for many, serenity if you seek it and healing energy are available when we focus on them with positive intent.
During the Winter Solstice, many traditions celebrate the return of the sun then, at the Summer Solstice, we celebrate the sun again. Now hold on a minute! The holidays are opposites, aren’t they? Yes, but we have a harder time with the dark, the shadow, and the lunar portion of our annual cycle. Interestingly enough, darkness and the moon have been associated with; you probably guessed it, WOMEN (lounging around in the dark with a good book), and the sun with MEN (fishing, snow machining, sports, or a cold beer perhaps).
The Solstices embody contradictions. In December, winter is just beginning, but at the same time, the light is growing and the sun is returning its warmth, albeit very slowly. The Winter Solstice comes at a time when we still face the long, cold nights of winter and their lessons of conservation, perseverance, and introspection. The Solstices are the most imbalanced times of year. The greatest degree of difference between the dark and the light is present. We are at the apex of the cycle at these points. And in June, the summer is just beginning, yet the light is slowly waning and withdrawing its heat. At the Summer Solstice we are at the height of the sun’s presence, and though it is waning thereafter, we have yet to experience the harvest that the long days of summer will bestow upon us.
As I reflect on the ways in which our society reveres imbalances of all kinds, it is not surprising. Our culture maintains striking imbalances of power, access to resources, of privilege, and oppression.
We need that journey in the cold winter's night, to seek a star, to seek a child, to even seek joy in the darkness. Everyone needs to find that hope is alive and well. There is a longing in most of us to know that goodness is powerful, too. That evil may dress better, but the darkness cannot withstand the light, for the light comes and the darkness fades. Light does triumph. Good is powerful because we have choice in our lives. A positive attitude and the will to have a great day keep us moving forward to new horizons.
Sometimes it's hard to keep believing that, especially watching the evening news can make you feel overburdened with the pettiness and the cruelty of the world as a whole. It is hard to hold onto the thought that God loves us. (Feel free to put Allah, or Buddha, or whatever face god shows to you, in that last sentence.)
The light will be reborn, and hope will come with it if we allow it. Charity is something we do every day for those around us, and for strangers we will never meet, because that age old question. Am I my brother's or sister's keeper? Yes. I believe sincerely that everyone wants us to be happy, and one of the ways we can do that is by putting kind and generous thoughts into the minds and hearts of everyone around us. We humans, whose hands and heart of flesh, can be filled with spirit, and moved to make things better for those around us. I truly believe that is one of the reasons we're here.
The light is coming. The dark cannot stay and the cold will wane with the warming of the sun. And that is not something we must take on faith, for tomorrow the night will literally be a little shorter. The nights will grow shorter and shorter until the Summer Solstice, when the cycle will repeat itself. But it is a cycle, and the dark cannot hold. Almost like in the movie “The Lion King”, the Circle of Life lies before us. Sometimes we are to busy with all that is going on around us to see that cycle.
I wish Solstice blessings to all of you, my friends, no matter what ‘holiday’ your family celebrates this time of year. Happy Yule, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah, and if I've missed anyone, my apologies.
Happy Holidays folks, keep the faith, whatever flavor that maybe.
Stay positive, remember happy childhood winter memories, walk outdoors experiencing nature around you and honor the living creatures that survive the winter season because of their own efforts and ingenuity. Look for the first signs of spring growth, and rejoice as ‘breakup’ is not far away.
Know in your heart that you are most blessed and loved by others.
Welcome to "The Long Night Club" where Dreams come true.
Ice
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