Tomorrow, December 21, is Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year.
At that time, the sun is at its lowest point in the sky in Orkney, and as it sets, it will beam between the mountains in the isle of Hoy, strike the Barnhouse stone in the Mainland isle, and travel up the low stone entry passage of the neolithic Maeshowe tomb, illuminating the chamber in its back wall.
You can watch it on the webcams here…provided there is a sunset. Rain is forecast in Orkney till Wednesday. But, the webcams will remain operational through early February; currently, sunset is at 15:15, which is 9:15 am in Chicago.
I’m wishing you all a fine fine solstice, and peace and fulfillment as the days begin to grow again…till they look as beautiful as this:
Maeshowe, May, 2008
oohhhh! THAT’S why I’m going to this candlelight art thing tonight…at least, that MUST be why it’s tonight. I’m so out of it. Thanks for your reminders; it’s good to know that other people are still connected to what’s important.
equinox and solstice are two of the really cool words.