696
It is believed that at the time when the longest night comes on earth, you can make a cherished wish - and it will certainly come true. We tell you the date of the winter solstice in 2024, its traditions, prohibitions and how to make a wish on the solstice, writes UNIAN.
What is the winter solstice
The winter solstice is the time when the shortest day and longest night of the year occurs in the Northern Hemisphere of the planet. This happens due to the fact that the hemisphere deviates from the Sun as much as possible and receives the least light. Every year, from December 21 to 23, according to astronomers, the planet begins an astronomical winter. Then the day begins to increase by minutes until it reaches its maximum value in summer.
This phenomenon was called the solstice because during these three days it seems as if the Sun is standing still - its visible path through the sky hardly changes.
When is the winter solstice in 2024
The winter solstice most often occurs on December 21 or 22, but sometimes this date shifts due to a leap year. However, this happens extremely rarely. For example, this phenomenon will occur on December 20 in 2080, and on December 23 in 2303.
In 2024, the winter solstice will take place on December 21 at 11:20 Kyiv time (09:20 GMT). Daylight will last 8 hours (according to Kyiv), respectively, the longest night will be 16 hours.
Winter solstice - the magic of the day and what to do
Even in ancient times, people knew about this phenomenon and attached great importance to it. For the Slavs, the date of the winter solstice, or as they called it, the solstice, was the birthday of Kolyada, the god of the winter sun. He fought with the evil spirit Karachun, who wanted to steal the sun, but he did not succeed - the day arrived and life was reborn.
On this occasion, the ancient Slavs lit a big fire as a symbol of the Sun, led dances, walked around the courtyards and sang carols with wishes for health and well-being, and received sweets and pastries in return. Housewives set the festive table, everyone exchanged gifts. It is significant that with the transition of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine from the Julian to the New Julian calendar, Orthodox believers begin to carol on December 24: since then, the sun, which "stood still", begins to move, and the day itself grows longer.
According to the beliefs of our ancestors, on the day of the winter solstice, you can make a wish and change your fate.
What to do on the winter solstice:
- to clean the house, throw away old things, give away unnecessary ones — thus freeing up space for new ones;
- plan important tasks for the future;
- to let go of old grudges, make peace with someone with whom you are in a quarrel;
- give away debts
There are several practices that can change life for the better on the day of the winter solstice:
- on the eve of the day, at sunset (this year it is December 20), write on a sheet of paper all the bad things that you would like to get rid of, and then burn this sheet;
- at dawn on December 21, face the east and dream about what you dream about.
You can also, having made a wish, plant the seed of a plant in a pot, take care of it until spring, and then plant it in the garden - together with the plant, the idea will grow and come to life.
What not to do on the winter solstice and omens
On this date, you should not make noise and have fun, drink alcohol - according to beliefs, spirits roam the earth on the longest night, which can come to make noise and harm.
Signs for the winter solstice:
- the day seemed cold and windy - winter will be with frost and snow;
- gloomy weather stands - spring will be early, and if it is clear - winter will drag on for a long time;
- the weather is calm - it will be like this for another two weeks;
- frost on the trees - this year's harvest will be rich.
Also, on the winter solstice, you can determine what the weather will be like on the New Year: if it's sunny, December 31 will be frosty, and if it's cloudy, expect a thaw.
