The darkest day of the year is almost upon us, marking a pivotal celestial turning point. The winter solstice in 2025, which heralds the official beginning of the winter season, will occur on Sunday 21 December at 3:03 pm.
What is the Winter Solstice?
This annual astronomical event represents the moment the sun reaches its lowest daily maximum elevation in the sky for the Northern Hemisphere. The result is the year's shortest day and longest night. The word 'solstice' itself has ancient roots, coming from the Latin words 'sol' (sun) and 'sistere' (to stand still).
For the UK, this means daylight will be in extremely short supply. In London, residents will experience just 7 hours, 49 minutes and 42 seconds of daylight. That is a staggering 8 hours and 49 minutes shorter than the longest day in June.
The variation in daylight happens because the Earth orbits the sun at a tilt of 23.4 degrees on its axis. During winter in the UK, the North Pole is tilted away from the sun, reducing our exposure to its light. Conversely, the Southern Hemisphere will enjoy their summer solstice on the same date, with the longest period of sunlight.
A Time for Celebration and Rebirth
Historically, the solstice has held profound importance for countless cultures, serving as a crucial marker of the changing seasons and a symbol of rebirth. In Ancient Egypt and Rome, it was a significant calendrical event.
In Northern Europe, Germanic and Norse peoples celebrated Yule, a festival centred on the rebirth of the sun, often lasting for twelve days. Anglo-Saxon pagans also observed these traditions.
According to the Roman historian Pliny the Elder, Druid priests in Britain marked the solstice by gathering sacred mistletoe and sacrificing bulls—a ritual that may also have served the practical purpose of reducing livestock numbers during scarce winter months.
Looking Forward to Lighter Days
While the solstice day itself can feel dark and dreary, it carries a promise of brighter times ahead. From this point onwards, the days will gradually get longer, with more minutes of daylight each day until we reach the peak of the summer solstice in June.
Modern celebrations continue this ancient connection. Every year, people gather at prehistoric sites like Stonehenge to witness the sunrise on the solstice, maintaining a timeless link to our ancestors and the rhythms of the cosmos.
