December 2022 solstice: what it is, when it will be and what it means

This December 21st we will witness an extraordinary astronomical phenomenon: the solstice of summer (in the southern hemisphere) e winter (in the northern hemisphere).

“Solstice” It is a word that comes from Latin “Solstium”. In its origin we find the word sol (“Sun”) and sistere (“to stand still”). so this “Still Sun” it seems, for a while, to stay parked in the firmamentsomething that will happen until 23 December.

The term refers, in particular, to the moment when the Sun is in one of the tropicsi.e. the points of the ecliptic are farthest from the equator.

So what’s next? In the north of our planet, this December 21 will be the longest night of the year; rather, in the South it will be the shortest day and the longest one, with more daylight hours.

​What is a solstice?

The solstice December 21 marks, as we said, the beginning of summer in the south of the Earth (and winter in the north). At that time, the The Sun crosses the Tropic of Capricornsouth of the celestial equator.

There are two summer solstices a year. The other is 21 years old June, when that season begins in the northern hemisphere (and winter in the south). Then, the The Sun crosses the Tropic of Cancer.

when the Summer solstice occurs in the north (June 21), the North Pole is tilted about 23.5° toward the Sun. Because the Sun’s rays travel toward the north from the equator in the same amount, vertical midday rays are directly overhead at latitude 23.5°N.

Six months later, the December 21stthe South Pole leans out 23.5° to the sun. This day is the summer solstice in the southern hemisphere. The vertical rays of the Sun advance to its southernmost position at latitude 23.5°S.

This, as well as determining the change of season, marks the moment when the Sun reaches its highest position in the sky (from the southern hemisphere), so it is lived the longest day and the shortest night of the year. And quite the opposite in the northern hemisphere.

From now on, therefore, the days in the southern hemisphere begin to shorten little by littlesubtracting 2 minutes of light each day until June 21st.

What changes does the summer solstice produce?

As we have seen, during the Summer solstice, the southern hemisphere of the planet receives more sunlight than on other days. However, it is usually not the hottest time.

It so happens that, typically, the hottest days tend to be in January. Why? Because the atmosphere and the ocean absorb and redirect the sun’s raysTherefore, they act as a heat barrier.

Although the planet absorbs a large amount of the sun’s rays at the summer solstice, it takes several weeks for that energy to be released and it is then that the temperatures rise to the max.

Summer Solstice: Spiritual Meaning

The Summer solstice It is symbolically linked to crops, abundance and fertility. Is that the Sun has always been connected with rebirth, the arise from life and hope.

In ancient times, it was believed that during the Summer solstice a “portal” was opened which allowed the entrance of magical beingssuch as fairies and spirits.