The exact time of the Winter Solstice is 12:30 am EST on December 22.
People often ask me what winters are like in Alaska with darkness all day. First let me clarify that in my part of the state it is not dark all day, but the days are so short and the nights are sooooo long.
The sun rises around 11:00 am and looms low on the Southern horizon making a short low arc across the sky casting long twilight shadows and then in a blaze of glory it’s gone around 3:00 pm making way for the longest night of the year.
It dumped heavy wet snow last night and then the wind blew 100mph so naturally my power went out at around four in the morning, leaving the house cold and dark throughout the morning hours it was a little disconcerting. Over my lake was the biggest, brightest sickle moon hanging very low on the horizon. No lights or television and no Today Show with Ann and Matt giving me the bad news. My tradition in past years is to stay in my pajamas all day no matter what! Not this year! I went to Willow to see Rhonda to deliver her some Yule cheer and art. http://www.wytchwoodak.com/This year has been especially difficult for me. SAD (Seasonal Affect Disorder) has gotten the best of me. I try very hard not to whine and not let depression get the best of me. It's just like that scary skeleton that lives in the closet if you don’t talk about or open the door it then it can’t hurt you, plus I feel a stigmatized for admitting depression. I was asking myself why? Why? didn’t I didn’t start the Prozac in September when I’m supposed to. Why? because I was feeling manic and S.A.D. was the furthest thing from my mind. If you are bi-polar, Alaska is not the best place for you (unless you enjoy your highs and lows) like me. With the setting sun I know that “hump day” is almost over and from this point on we will steadily gain daylight steadily until June 21st when the sun never really sets.
My tradition on the Summer Solstice is to stay up all night swim at midnight and howl like a wolf.
Today I wish the people of the world what Jesus said; "Love One Another." Practice - Peace, Compassion, and Acceptance of our differences for the next 365 Days.
3 comments:
praying for you.
Thank you Jessica
Depression isn't fun but please don't feel stigmatised. I used to, but then decided just to be open and matter-of-fact about it and now people just accept it as part of me along with all my other quirks, as I accept their quirks. Love the solstice photo, I followed the link and have now added it to my bookmarks - thanks for that.
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