12-22-2011 WINTER SOLSTICE

There’s a certain Slant of light,
Winter Afternoons —
That oppresses, like the Heft
Of Cathedral Tunes —

Heavenly Hurt, it gives us —
We can find no scar,
But internal difference,
Where the Meanings, are —

None may teach it — Any —
‘Tis the Seal Despair —
An imperial affliction
Sent us of the Air —

When it comes, the Landscape listens —
Shadows — hold their breath —
When it goes, ’tis like the Distance
On the look of Death —

Emily Dickenson

Science:

The basics - http://www.calendar-updates.com/info/holidays/us/winter.aspx
Science of the Shortest Day - http://www.livescience.com/5936-shortest-day-science-winter-solstice.html
National Geographic Article - http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/12/091218-winter-solstice-date-2010-solstices-first-day-winter/
Wolfram Research - http://scienceworld.wolfram.com/astronomy/WinterSolstice.html
Everything you need to know - http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-solstice-on-december-21
Measuring Shadows - http://billgx.edublogs.org/2008/12/20/winter-solstice-experiment/

History:

The Unconquered Sun - http://www.shambhala.org/arts/fest/unconquered.html
National Geographic article - http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/12/1220_021220_solstice.html
History and Recipes - http://www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/Winter-Solstice.html
History of (for kids) - http://www.brownielocks.com/wintersolstice.html
Yule Log - http://www.thehistoryofchristmas.com/trivia/yulelog.htm
Saturnalia - http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/saturnalia/a/saturnalia.htm


Sites and Celebrations:
Celebrations - http://www.circlesanctuary.org/pholidays/SolsticeArticle.html
More Celebrations - http://www.religioustolerance.org/winter_solstice1.htm
Solstice Day - http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/december-solstice.html
Stonehenge - http://www.crystalinks.com/stonehenge.html
Newgrange - http://www.knowth.com/winter-solstice-2003.htm
Newgrange.com - http://www.newgrange.com/webcast.htm
Stones of Wonder - http://www.stonesofwonder.com/
Carnac in France - http://www.rennet.org/tourism/carnac/index.html
Chichen Itza, Mexico - http://www.sacredsites.com/americas/mexico/chichen_itza.html