Home » Fun and Chillaxation

365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#67 – Heading into the Heart of Winter Solstice

Submitted by on June 21, 2010 – 7:34 pmNo Comment

Oh oh!  How exciting!  In this very moment, as the darkness settles in here in Aotearoa we are heading into the longest night of the year.  Winter Solstice is upon us aka ‘mid-winter’.    Some call it the beginning of winter, but no, we’re actually officially half-way through.  Although some times it feels as if the season needs a little time to catch onto the fact that it’s supposed to start warming up. So Winter Solstice officially hits us at 11.28 tonight.  This is wikipedia‘s lowdown on Winter Solstice:

” The Winter Solstice occurs exactly when the Earth’s axial tilt is farthest away from the sun at its maximum of 23° 26′. Though the Winter Solstice lasts only an instant in time, the term is also colloquially used as Midwinter or contrastingly the first day of winter to refer to the day on which it occurs. More evident to those in high latitudes, this occurs on the shortest day, and longest night, and the sun‘s daily maximum position in the sky is the lowest.[1] The seasonal significance of the Winter Solstice is in the reversal of the gradual lengthening of nights and shortening of days. Depending on the shift of the calendar, the Winter Solstice occurs on December 21 or 22 each year in the Northern Hemisphere, and June 20 or 21 in the Southern Hemisphere.[2]

Worldwide, interpretation of the event has varied from culture to culture, but most cultures have held a recognition of rebirth, involving

holidays, festivals, gatherings, rituals or other celebrations around that time.”

So if you’ve been feeling like staying in and taking it easy around this time of the year, you’re not alone.  I say go for it.  Chillax. Right now all around you, nature’s hard at work doing nothing.  Everythings dead, a sleep, or it’s gone underground.  World-wide this moment in the year has traditionally been the time to rest and take it easy.  It’s the time to let the dust settle so to speak while we gather our energy for the days ahead as they lengthen into Spring and then Summer.  Over in the Northern Hemispere right now it’s Summer Solstice and at Christmas time (which is their mid-winter) they traditionally feast on winter’s harvest. So I’m feasting tonight (in a humble version of Christmas), soup, garlic bread, baked yams and kumara and a salad.  And I’m thinking of my friend – Lolly – who is about to go into labour, and of the people over at the Sandcastle who are gathering to share their Winter Solstice evening together and of all the other people in the Southern Hemisphere who are celebrating winter solstice.  May you rest.

Today’s rating 9/10

365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation (as I raise my gorgeous son and  grow my good news website to a subscription base of 100,000 people).  The Low Down on this Blog.

Check out yesterday’s blog.

GD Star Rating
loading...
GD Star Rating
loading...
Share

Leave a comment!

Add your comment below, or trackback from your own site. You can also subscribe to these comments via RSS.

Be nice. Keep it clean. Stay on topic. No spam.

You can use these tags:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>

This is a Gravatar-enabled weblog. To get your own globally-recognized-avatar, please register at Gravatar.

Other stories

Five minutes with Seema Singh, Wellington on ‘What’s good for you right now?’
February 17, 2013 – 6:07 pm | One Comment

From the last one-year my husband and I have been working on reducing the amount of material things we buy. This process has allowed us to think twice, maybe thrice before we buy anything for …

Share
Check out: It’s all good Magic Bites
February 15, 2013 – 7:55 pm | No Comment

Have you ever been driven slightly mad with itchy bites from bugs?  I have.  I live in a sand fly mecca here in Kotinga, Golden Bay.  In fact they’re biting me as I write this.  …

Share
Opinion: Many more fishies in the sea, by Charlotte Squire
February 15, 2013 – 6:33 pm | No Comment

What do you do when your good news story is not … embraced, by the one you’re sharing it with?  Rather, it’s met with indignation.
Before I begin, I need to let you know that fish …

Share
Greenpeace report says going 100% renewable by 2050 will grow jobs
February 14, 2013 – 4:53 pm | No Comment

Global conservation organisation WWF-New Zealand today welcomed a new Greenpeace report, “The Future is Here”, showing how New Zealand could grow jobs and protect the environment by shifting to almost 100% renewable energy by 2050.
WWF-New …

Share
2013 Kiwi Diary article: Boosting creativity is the key – by Sir Paul Callaghan
February 12, 2013 – 10:00 pm | No Comment

There is nothing like being at the start of a calendar year to have a sense of optimism, opportunity, the chance to reset and embrace any ol’ thang from last year that you wish you’d …

Share
Young filmmakers challenged to film and shape Auckland’s future
February 11, 2013 – 3:20 pm | No Comment

Media release – Auckland Council

11 February 2013

Make Auckland’s future a feature – challenge to young filmmakers
 
Young filmmakers are being challenged to create a three-minute video, on the subject of Auckland’s future, in just 14 days.

The …

Share
World cities take lead on climate action
February 10, 2013 – 1:50 pm | No Comment

Gland, Switzerland - The finalists for WWF’s Earth Hour City Challenge (EHCC) have been announced with a diverse cross-section of cities recognized for their innovative actions on climate change.
The 17 finalists were selected from 66 entrants …

Share
Locals and DoC bringing threatened heart-leaved kōhūhū back back to Murchison
February 8, 2013 – 11:53 am | No Comment

Media release – Department of Conservation
8 February 2013
Love your endangered trees – Heart-leaved kōhūhū
Murchison is becoming known as a haven for rare and endangered tree species and locals are being invited to help another rare …

Share
Sustainable backyards in Tauranga features Big Dessert Night for Earth Hour
February 8, 2013 – 10:19 am | No Comment

MEDIA RELEASE – Sustainable Backyards
Envirohub BOP (previously Tauranga Environment Centre) is gearing for Sustainable Backyards this March – a month long Calendar of Events to celebrate and support the fantastic range of local environmental initiatives …

Share
Calling supporters for 2013 Red Puppy Appeal
February 7, 2013 – 12:24 pm | No Comment

Get involved and fundraise to help train more guide dogs

Calling supporters for 2013 Red Puppy Appeal
 
On April 5 and 6 this year, the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB) needs a brigade of …

Share
Golden Bay locals celebrate World Wetland day by playing in the mud
February 7, 2013 – 12:20 pm | No Comment

To celebrate World Wetlands Day on February end, Golden Bay’s (Tasman, New Zealand) Forest and Bird members and Tasman District Council Environmental Educator Claire Webster run a ‘Motupipi Estuary Rescue’ event.
27 locals (ranging in age …

Share
Happyzine’s transitioning into a Pay-What-You-Can-Afford good news service
February 6, 2013 – 3:39 pm | 4 Comments

Kia Ora,
I’m Charlotte Squire, founder and Editor of www.happyzine.co.nz – the positive news website of Aotearoa and it’s a pleasure to be talking to you today.
I love sharing inspiring, hopebuilding news with you.  I love …

Share
Large colony of endangered South Island long-tailed bats found at D’Urville Island
February 5, 2013 – 3:54 pm | No Comment

Forest & Bird is thrilled that a large colony of endangered South Island long-tailed bats has been discovered during a January survey on D’Urville Island, in the Marlborough Sounds.
The D’Urville population is estimated to number …

Share
Book release: Forty Days of Yoga
February 5, 2013 – 3:51 pm | No Comment

Media Release: February 5, 2013
How to make yoga an integrated part of your every day life
NZ book just released: ‘Forty Days of Yoga – Breaking down the barriers to a home yoga practice’
By Kara-Leah Grant, …

Share
Samoan choir singers invited to demonstrate their musical gifts
February 4, 2013 – 10:35 am | No Comment

Press Release
Media contact: Simon Matāfai
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: +64 27 471 9327
Samoa Voices Choir Competition hosted at the 2013 Pasifika Festival
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
02 February, 2013
The 21st Pasifika Festival will take place on March 9 and 10 at …

Share
Ngai Tahu Treaty Festival, Onuku Marae, Wednesday 6 February
February 1, 2013 – 10:19 am | One Comment

Ngai Tahu
Ngai Tahu Treaty Festival, Onuku Marae, Wednesday 6 February
This year Onuku Runanga is hosting the annual ‘Ngai Tahu Treaty Festival’ at Onuku Marae, Akaroa.
Discussion on the current review of the New Zealand Constitution, environmental …

Share
Personal message from Charlotte Squire asking you to join Club Happyzine
February 1, 2013 – 9:42 am | No Comment

Kia Ora,
My name’s Charlotte Squire, I’m the founder and Creative Director of Happyzine.
Happyzine is an online platform for good news that inspires positive change within our communities and for our environment. It’s awesome. It serves …

Share
Introducing: The Wholefoods Handbook – a guide with big appeal and altruistic intentions
January 31, 2013 – 10:49 pm | No Comment

The Wholefoods Handbook ten years on – a guide with big appeal and altruistic intentions
—Rae McDowell

Authors of the tenth anniversary edition of the Wholefoods Handbook, Joanna Piekarski and Marsha Jones, celebrated with a launch at …

Share
Bluebridge passengers to surf while they sail – for free
January 30, 2013 – 6:49 pm | No Comment

Media release
For immediate release
Tuesday 29 January 2013
BLUEBRIDGE PASSENGERS TO SURF WHILE THEY SAIL – FOR FREE
Passengers crossing Cook Strait on Bluebridge ferries can plan their holiday itinerary, post Facebook updates, tweet, email, shop and surf …

Share
Conscious Consumers launch a smart phone app to change the world!
January 30, 2013 – 6:44 pm | No Comment

Conscious Consumers
MEDIA RELEASE – EMBARGOED UNTIL MONDAY 28 JANUARY.
- START -
A smartphone app to change the world!
Conscious Consumers has today released a smartphone application that puts power into the pockets of hospitality consumers.
New Zealand’s first …

Share
Happyzine celebrates its fifth year of feel good media
January 29, 2013 – 2:08 pm | No Comment

Charlotte Squire, founder and Editor of the positive news website Happyzine is celebrating five years of optimistic Kiwi media.
 
Happyzine is a New Zealand based good news website that Ms Squire says is designed to “inspire …

Share
New collaborative community theatre initiative launches in Auckland
January 28, 2013 – 10:14 am | No Comment

An Auckland based drama teacher and voice coach has launched a community theatre initiative focusing on Social Action in a creative, fun, and inspiring way.
Sally Mabelle shares her story:
In August 2012, I was called into …

Share
The next ten people to join Club Happyzine shall receive three packs each of Eatright Organic Dried Apples. Yum! And Yes!
January 25, 2013 – 6:08 pm | No Comment

Check em out!
They’re Organic Dried Apples.  They’re preservative and sulphite free, with no added sugar.  They’re dried low and slow to preserve the natural health benefits, and to top it off they’re certified organic.
They have …

Share
NZ’s first crowd-funded comic launches
January 23, 2013 – 4:27 pm | 2 Comments

NZ’s first crowd-funded comic launches
Monday, 21 January 2013, 3:03 pm
Press Release: Faction Comics
NZ’s first crowd-funded comic launches
21/01/2013
Kiwi comic fans have spoken – with their wallets. Overwhelming public support for a local comic anthology has resulted …

Share
Handmade goods reign at the Palmerston North Craft and Quilt Fair
January 22, 2013 – 12:13 pm | No Comment

MAKE IT YOUR OWN
Get crafty at the Palmerston North Craft & Quilt Fair 2013
There’s no hiding the fact that we live in a busy world, and so often mass-produced items become the norm. But this …

Share
PledgeMe thinks you guys rock
January 22, 2013 – 11:08 am | No Comment

Wow. 2012 was a massive year. Bigger than words really, so I’m going to start with a photo:

That’s some of the 175 projects YOU MADE HAPPEN last year. If I started trying to list them …

Share
Sculptures transform Auckland’s Silo Park this Summer
January 17, 2013 – 3:08 pm | No Comment

Media Release                                                                                                
Thursday, 17th February 2013
 
Sculptures transform Auckland’s Silo Park this Summer
 
Exquisite bronze castings, beautiful carvings and cutting-edge polymer sculptures will descend upon Auckland’s waterfront on 1 February to 14 March 2013, as Wynyard Quarter …

Share
Become a Spy … er Good News Researcher for Happyzine
January 17, 2013 – 1:16 pm | 2 Comments

There’s good news going down everywhere, at all hours of the day, in every community of this pretty country we call Aotearoa.  We want in on the action.
Join our team of change-makers and help New …

Share
Variety seeks talanted singers for all inclusive youth choir
January 11, 2013 – 3:00 pm | No Comment

VARIETY SEEKS TALENTED SINGERS FOR ALL-INCLUSIVE YOUTH CHOIR
 Variety – The Children’s Charity is calling for singing stars aged 7-18 years to step up and audition for Variety Voices – the charity’s all-star performance group.
Variety Voices …

Share
The Creativity Challenge
January 11, 2013 – 2:59 pm | One Comment

A conference focussing on all aspects of creativity – in education, in business, in the
arts, in communities and in social enterprise – is to be held at Western Institute of Technology in Taranaki on the …

Share
Natural health online shop donates generously to charity
January 10, 2013 – 4:03 pm | No Comment

HealthPost, New Zealand’s leading online retailer of natural health and skincare products, has donated $125,000 to charities chosen by their customers over the past two years.
The rate of giving is currently over $6000 per month, …

Share
13th Auckland International Buskers Fest bigger and better than ever
January 10, 2013 – 3:52 pm | No Comment

The Auckland International Buskers Festival returns for the thirteenth time, bigger and better than ever, with performers from all over the globe including Australia, Canada, USA, Italy/Switzerland, Spain/Ireland, and Brazil!
You can expect to be wowed …

Share
Check out: 4MyEarth Snack Pockets
January 10, 2013 – 6:05 am | No Comment

4MyEarth’s groovy Eco Snack Pockets are designed to transport those little snacks our kids love to graze on, with out all the plastic, or the mess. I’ve been using mine to carry my son’s favorite …

Share
Lifestream Cleanse – Club Happyzine Summer Giveaway!
January 9, 2013 – 2:05 pm | No Comment

Your skin, your energy and your vitality are usually a reflection of your inner digestive and bowel health. The old adage of “you are what you eat” is an exact, perhaps not coined for, expression …

Share
Wellington pioneers the free use of commercial space for public art
January 9, 2013 – 12:58 pm | No Comment

MEDIA RELEASE: For immediate release January 2013
 
Wellington pioneers the free use of commercial space for public art
 
A new agency that promises to enliven Wellington City by utilising vacant space for no cost has opened in …

Share
Seasons Greetings – from the Happyzine team!
December 25, 2012 – 8:13 am | No Comment

It’s that special time of the year.  Wishing you love, joy and peace, where ever you are.
Follow your bliss.  Appreciate what you have.  Be in the true gift of the now.
Love,
Charlotte and the Happyzine team …

Share
Inspiration & Invitation at this month’s TEDxTeAro – Videos available to watch now!
December 14, 2012 – 8:16 am | No Comment

 
 
TEDxTeAro
MEDIA RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
12th December 2012
Inspiration & Invitation at this month’s TEDxTeAro – Videos available to watch now!
The inaugural TEDxTeAro event took place this weekend in Wellington and conference-goers came away buzzing.
With the …

Share
Top 10 Happy foods Number 1 – Raw Chocolate
December 4, 2012 – 3:38 pm | 2 Comments

By Tyson Hammond
Eating to feel good is something easy we can do to help our body and mind feel content and enjoy our lives a little more. Staying physically healthy is an essential part of …

Share
Changemakers! Get free support for your project on DoGoodJobs via Happyzine
December 3, 2012 – 4:31 pm | No Comment

Do you have a project that works towards positive change? Do you need good people for that project?
Any friend of Happyzine is a friend of Do Good Jobs! That’s why we are offering you a …

Share
Generation Zero is looking for a short term fundraising coordinator. Is it you?
December 1, 2012 – 5:50 pm | No Comment

Are you experienced with fundraising? Would you like to help a group of passionate young people to make positive change?
We need YOU to help us take the first steps to becoming financially sustainable!
We are looking …

Share
"));