About The Solstice
About The Solstice Phenomenon
Solstice Foundation takes its name from the planetary phenomenon of the seasons, without which agriculture as we know it would not exist. The Seasons result from Earth’s axis being tilted 23.5 degrees from the perpendicular of its orbit. The Winter Solstice (about December 21st) is the shortest day in the year, and the Summer Solstice (about July 21st) is the longest. This is reversed in the Southern Hemisphere, where Summer is in December and Winter is in July.
To the ancients, Winter Solstice was the pre-eminent event of the year because planting and harvesting were measured from that date. Our planet’s tilted axis and the resulting seasons make agriculture and, hence, life as we know it possible. It is in gratitude for this and other fortuitous conditions of life on planet Earth that Solstice Foundation takes its name.
Over the years, we have sent Solstice Greetings every winter Solstice which addresses the astronomical phenomenon, its impact on our planet, and how it has been adapted by various cultures. Please find the last ten years of Solstice Greetings below.
Annual Solstice Greetings
2024 King Haakon the Good, Yule, and Christmas on the same day
2023 Karnak Temple, Lunar vs. Solar Calendar, movable feasts, and the Julian Calendar
2022 Grand Super Cycle, Milankovitch Cycles, and the Age of Aquarius
2021 Persia, Yalda Night, Mithra, and Sol Invictus
2020 Ireland 3200BC, Newgrange, and Alban Arthan
2019 Astronomical Fact, Stonehenge, and Cyber Monday
2018 Christmastime may not be Jesus DOB, Saturnalia, and the 12 Days of Christmas
2017 Whales, Mōdraniht, Rhiananon, and Fleetwood Mack
2016 The End and the Beginning, 23.5-degree tilt, seasons, and time of planting
2015 Dies Natilis Solis Invicti, Saturnalia, and Emperor Constantine & 12-25
2014 Hopi Indians, Soyal, and Kachinas
2013 Japan, Sun Goddess, Amretsu, and the “Return of Light”
2012 Mesoamerica, Mayan Calendar, 5125 yr cycle, and EOWAWKI averted for now
To receive annual Solstice Greetings, email us at Info@SolsticeFoundation.org