Commonly referred to as the “shortest day of the year”, the Winter Solstice is an astronomical event. Occurring when the sun reaches the Tropic of Capricorn, we have our shortest day and longest night in the Northern Hemisphere. You may be in sunny and warm Florida or cold and snowy Minnesota, regardless, the Solstice marks the first day of winter. The Solstice, when the sun appears at its lowest in the sky, begins to reverse. This marks the hours of sunlight increasing and daylight becoming longer. In the Southern Hemisphere, the Summer Solstice happens simultaneously.

There are many different Winter Solstice celebrations around the globe. This event has played important roles in many cultures from ancient times to today. One such tradition is the Feast of Juul which is observed in Scandinavia. The Yule or Juul log was brought in and burned in honor of the Scandinavian god Thor. It was Thor’s job to bring the sun, and warmth it provided, back to the people. There are many rituals and customs that stem from this feast.

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