Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

longship

(40,416 posts)
Sun Dec 21, 2014, 07:28 AM Dec 2014

Happy Bottom of the Analemma Day everybody.

Last edited Sun Dec 21, 2014, 09:12 AM - Edit history (1)

Here in rural western Michigan the sun spends much of its time below the horizon during December. Some people see today, when the shortest daylight happens, as some sort of a sad time. Not me. I see it as an optimistic day.

The path that the sun traces through the sky throughout the year is given by the Analemma.


At the winter solstice the sun is at the bottom of the curve and begins its climb, again towards the summer solstice when the warm months of summer begin. From this day forward the days get longer, which to me makes it an optimistic event.

Happy solstice everybody!

And to those in the northern US, bundle up for a vibrant and embracing winter.


14 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Happy Bottom of the Analemma Day everybody. (Original Post) longship Dec 2014 OP
That's how I see it. Feral Child Dec 2014 #1
a most happy solstice to all! nt xchrom Dec 2014 #2
Happy Solstice everyone! Trailrider1951 Dec 2014 #3
Gotta love an analemma Tribalceltic Dec 2014 #4
Always feel better when we are on this side of that day! logosoco Dec 2014 #5
What a beautiful picture....... llmart Dec 2014 #6
I hold the Winter Solstice to be my New Year's Eve Siwsan Dec 2014 #7
Great post! greatlaurel Dec 2014 #8
DU Rec Jesus Malverde Dec 2014 #9
I always feel better knowing the days are growing longer again. NutmegYankee Dec 2014 #10
Being in Wisconsin, I love this day too! Greybnk48 Dec 2014 #11
I took the SS Badger when I was about four years old. longship Dec 2014 #14
The days grow longer, roody Dec 2014 #12
And to you too! 2naSalit Dec 2014 #13

Feral Child

(2,086 posts)
1. That's how I see it.
Sun Dec 21, 2014, 07:50 AM
Dec 2014

That's why this time of year has been celebrated by numerous civilizations dating back to prehistory.

Feral Child is a sun-bunny and shares that optimism.

Trailrider1951

(3,408 posts)
3. Happy Solstice everyone!
Sun Dec 21, 2014, 09:08 AM
Dec 2014

I keep my Holiday lights on all day on the Solstice, to light the darkest day of the year!



Tribalceltic

(1,000 posts)
4. Gotta love an analemma
Sun Dec 21, 2014, 09:53 AM
Dec 2014

Happy Solstice All



I implore all of you with kids home from school to explain the significance of the solstice and analemma to them today.

logosoco

(3,208 posts)
5. Always feel better when we are on this side of that day!
Sun Dec 21, 2014, 10:06 AM
Dec 2014

I have been trying to explain this to my grandsons, who are 6 and 5, using the globe and my exercise ball as the sun. I hope it gives them the sense of being aware of the changes we pass through in the year.

llmart

(15,499 posts)
6. What a beautiful picture.......
Sun Dec 21, 2014, 10:07 AM
Dec 2014

and beautiful thought. Thank you from a Southeastern Michigander for reminding me that there are still a few positive people on DU.

I, too, like this day for that very reason - that now we'll start gaining a minute or two every day. Plus, so far, we've had a pretty mild December.

Siwsan

(26,173 posts)
7. I hold the Winter Solstice to be my New Year's Eve
Sun Dec 21, 2014, 10:12 AM
Dec 2014

In tribute to my ancestors and the lengthening daylight, I'll break out the mead at about 6:04 pm.

Greybnk48

(10,147 posts)
11. Being in Wisconsin, I love this day too!
Sun Dec 21, 2014, 11:21 AM
Dec 2014

I love to watch the days slowly get longer, as we gobble our vitamin D3 and look forward to
Spring! My Jung seed catalogue came yesterday which is another big mood booster along with the holidays, of course.

longship: We just drove up and over to your neck of the woods in August and took the SS Badger home, for the first time ever. Northwestern Michigan is breathtakingly beautiful!

longship

(40,416 posts)
14. I took the SS Badger when I was about four years old.
Sun Dec 21, 2014, 01:17 PM
Dec 2014

That was about in 1952. At that time the Badger loaded train cars as well as automobiles. As they were balancing the load at the dock, running the train cars in and out of the ship, it rocked back and forth. My sister, father, and I all got horribly seasick. It was not a pleasant transit for us.

We returned on the Milwaukee Clipper, a very nice trip.


Oh, and here's the Badger.

2naSalit

(86,031 posts)
13. And to you too!
Sun Dec 21, 2014, 12:13 PM
Dec 2014

One of my actual "holiday" type days. From Montana, catch up with you around the shortest night!

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Happy Bottom of the Anale...