Happy Winter Solstice

Happy Winter Solstice.

Today – for those of us that reside in the Northern Hemisphere – is the shortest day of the year.

Here on the ranch – where it’s currently 20 below zero – the sun rose at 8:02 AM, and it will set this afternoon at 4:41 PM.

Short days, long nights.

And when the sun is out during the day, it stays low in the southern sky, slithering from east to west, casting shadows to the north.

I find this deep winter sunlight to be intoxicating. Breathtaking. Soul-stirring.

It’s 2022. More technology seems to be created everyday, and so much of it further disconnects us from the natural world – from the weather, the seasons, the sun, the snow, the wind.

One of my favorite things about the ranch is our more intimate connection to the seasons – Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter.

We are closer to them – and their rhythms – and its’s something I cherish.

But we’re not living in a cold cabin without electricity.

We live in a warm home, we drive warm vehicles, we yield the modern-day benefits of technology like anyone else.

But think back to what it must have been like for thousands of years in northern latitudes around the world at this time of year.

Cold, dark, snowy, barren. Foreboding at times.

Life was stripped to its essentials; food, water, shelter, warmth.

It must have been stressful – even sometimes downright scary. Did we put up enough food for the winter? Do we have enough firewood? Will we make it to spring?

But then, in the heart of the deepest, coldest part of winter, a shift occurred – the shortest day arrived – and from that day on, each day forward would get a little longer.

It must have felt magical, and it must have brought great hope – no wonder it was celebrated with a myriad of traditions.

It’s different today; it largely goes unnoticed.

But, in our house, we still find great magic in the shortest day of the year, and we celebrate it.

So, here’s to Winter, and here’s to longer days, smaller shadows, a warmer sun – and to hope.

Happy Winter Solstice.

This morning on the ranch.