The longest night of the year marks a time to set ‘good intentions,’ begin anew

ST. GEORGE — The longest night of the year is cause for celebration in many parts of the world, including Southern Utah. While residents here enjoy an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, winter is still coming with the winter solstice on Dec. 21.

Lighted palm trees at Tonaquint Park, St. George, Utah, December 2022 | Photo by Adele Park, St. George News

The winter solstice, also called the hibernal solstice, happens when the sun is at its most southern point in the sky in the Northern Hemisphere.

The word solstice is derived from the Latin word, “solstitium,” which roughly translates to “the sun stands still.” Basically, this means the sun reverses its direction on the winter solstice and begins to move north instead of south.

The day after the winter solstice, the amount of sunlight begins to increase a little each day until the summer solstice in June. Ironically, just because we are getting more sun, the temperatures are actually getting colder. Dr. Samuel Tobler, an associate professor of physics and astronomy at Utah Tech, said the temperatures are determined by how much energy is emitted during the nighttime hours when the sun isn’t shining.

“During those nighttime hours, we are definitely expending more heat from the earth than we are gaining from the sun during the daylight hours,” Tobler said. “The coldest point usually occurs about a month after the winter solstice.”

While the winter solstice takes place around the same time every year, the date fluctuates. Tobler said that’s because the solstice happens at the exact moment when half the Earth is tilted the furthest away from the sun.

“Since our orbit is roughly as close as we can get it to our calendar year, any time that the solstice might occur on a different day usually comes from the human failings of our calendar not quite matching the solar cycle of the earth and sun,” Tobler said.

Warm light on a dark night

The winter solstice has been observed by various cultures for centuries. Ancient Romans celebrated Saturnalia, which was a festival that often lasted for a week. Dongzhi, the Chinese term meaning winter arrives, honors the return of longer days and thus an increase in positive energy. People in Iran gather on the longest night of the year to burn fires as part of Shab-e Yalda, which symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness.

Nicole Aston of Energy Healing by Design, St. George, Utah, December 2022 | Photo by Adele Park, St. George News

Nicole Aston, owner of Energy Healing by Design in St. George, said a simple way to commemorate the winter solstice in Southern Utah is by bringing light into the home. This can be done with candles, traditional yule logs or even by hanging dried orange slices in the window for the light to filter through.

Evergreen and mistletoe have long been a part of many winter solstice celebrations which has evolved into today’s modern Christmas tree. People tend to get less sun during the winter, even in sunny Southern Utah. Aston said people can replenish the vitamin D the sun provides through special teas which add an extra layer of warmth to the season.

On a spiritual level, Aston said while mother nature slumbers during the longest night of the year, it’s a great time to set intentions for the upcoming New Year. This can be done by writing down things to let go, and new ideas to welcome in. Aston said these notes can be incorporated in small alters featuring items found in nature such as evergreen, orange slices, candles and crystals.

“You can take a moment to reset because you can also go into a slumber,” Aston said. “You’re making all these good intentions though this night while mother earth is getting her rest.”

Yule logs, St. George, Utah, December 2022 | Photo by Adele Park, St. George News

Simple ways to celebrate the winter solstice in Southern Utah

Plant a seed – growing something inside creates a new energy in the home.

Light a candle – harness an energy intention with the universe.

Use symbols of the sun – dry orange slices and hang them for the light to filter through.

Give back to nature – honor the beauty around you.

Practice gratitude – remember all the intentions that have already manifested.

Whether it’s decorating a tree with twinkling lights, sipping hot tea or simply gazing at the winter night in wonder and gratitude, the longest night of the year can also be one of the most special ones.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

Free News Delivery by Email

Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? Enter your email below to start!