Let the sun shine in

Happy Winter Solstice!

Today is the shortest day and longest night of the year. Starting tomorrow, the light begins it's return as the days become longer and longer, until we celebrate the Summer Solstice. (Well, at least in this hemisphere. It's all bass-ackwards Down Under. ;) Sorry, Chris.)

I don't attach any religious significance to the solstices, but I do like to note their passage as they remind me of the cyclical nature of, well, nature. And I've always found the mythos and traditions surrounding them very interesting.

(We're not planning any wild Saturnalias here, but, if you see me under the mistletoe ... ) ;)

On a more personal note, I look forward to the Winter Solstice because, right about now, I start to get itchy for more daylight. I hate that the sun is barely rising when I leave for work and that it's already dark by the time I get home. The lack of sunlight makes me a little cranky.

Ironically, I spend very little time in direct sunlight in the other seasons - very fair skin and a tendency for heat-related migraines make that a Bad Idea for me - but I've still never really liked the cold, dark days of Winter. I don't do cold well.

Evidence: We spent a couple of weeks at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City in 2002. Loved it! But I had to be bundled up like Ralphie's little brother in A Christmas Story just to leave the house. Brrrr!

Spring and early Fall are my favorite seasons. I sometimes think that if it wasn't for the fact that Christmas is my favorite holiday, I'd probably feel resentful of Winter - it would just be that cold, dark time in between the "fun" seasons.

But, for some reason, the solstice celebrations and their history and traditions remind me to take each season for what it is. To enjoy Winter for being Winter rather than resent it for not being Spring. If that makes any sense.

I'm still glad I live in sunny California, though. Especially when so many of my i-friends are blogging and tweeting about freezing ice and snow! *brrrr*

I am most definitely on the HeatMiser side of the weather debate. ;)

Wherever you are and whatever the weather is like there, wishing you and yours a Happy Solstice. :)

"Live each season as it passes;
breathe the air, drink the drink,
taste the fruit, and resign yourself 
to the influences of each." 
~ Henry David Thoreau