The shortest day has always been a pagan festival, there is even some who think that Christmas is just a appropriation of this day.
The times when the Sun is at its furthest from the celestial equator are called the summer and winter solstices.
These occur at midsummer and midwinter.
The winter solstice for 2019 is actually 22 December, 4.19am so we will be around 16 hours early
The world 'solstice' comes from the Latin solstitium meaning 'Sun stands still', because the apparent movement of the Sun's path north or south stops before changing direction.
Please find time to pause your Xmas shopping and come to celebrate with me, as many of you have done before up to 4 times a year.
There is no dress requirement or ritual to perform but I'll bring tea, coffee and cake to share.
If someone brings some music we might even sing some carols!
If the weather is awful, we may stay in the car park but given a fair wind we'll walk to the famous Singing Ringing tree and listen to her melodious sounds.
https://www.visitlancashire.com/things-to-do/singing-ringing-tree-panopticon-p66560
I'll bring a log book, should you wish to record your attendance and of course someone will leave with an invite to claim ftf.
See you just before the longest night.
Roll on summer
treboR