# Winter Solstice is on Friday if... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 19, 2007, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winter-solstice-is-on-friday-if/430597 "2007-12-19T17:54:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ghanima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Ghanima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ghanima)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winter-solstice-is-on-friday-if/430597/1 "2007-12-19T17:54:33Z")
…you live West of the Rocky Mountains, dammit! I know I’m being an anal retentive stickler, but Solstice isn’t on Saturday if you live in California! Or Alaska! Or various other western states. It isn’t like Christmas where you just pick a random day of the year and it’s the same day every year. This year it happens on December 22 at 6:08 AM Universal time, which is at 10:08 PM on December 21 Pacific Standard Time. Why does this frustrate me so much? I don’t know. Perhaps a life needs to be gotten. I don’t know. So happy Solstice…on Friday, west coast motherfu\*\*ers! The same thing happens with the full moon. The calendar indicates what DAY the full moon falls on, not the night. I get irritated when some “Wiccan” tells me “the full moon is tonight” and I have to explain, that no, the moon was full at 2 AM LAST NIGHT, and you missed it, (you retard.) If you’re going to pretend it’s important on some spiritual level, at least get it right. This Mundane, Pointless rant brought to you by the letter Q. I’m going to try and locate a life now. ---
**Author:** ![Kuboydal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecb155/32.png) [@Kuboydal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kuboydal)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winter-solstice-is-on-friday-if/430597/2 "2007-12-19T17:56:27Z")
Set down the coffee mug and step away slowly… ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winter-solstice-is-on-friday-if/430597/3 "2007-12-19T18:00:54Z")
[QUOTE=Ghanima] This Mundane, Pointless rant brought to you by the letter Q. I’m going to try and locate a life now. [/QUOTE] But will you locate a life on friday or saturday? If you get it wrong you just may have to pit yourself! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Gozu\_Tashoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7993a0/32.png) [@Gozu\_Tashoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu_Tashoya)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winter-solstice-is-on-friday-if/430597/4 "2007-12-19T18:23:15Z")
Um… Thank you. I think… /backs away slowly ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winter-solstice-is-on-friday-if/430597/5 "2007-12-19T18:44:06Z")
Wow. I stopped caring about the exact date of these things not long after I learned the correct pronunciations of athame and Samhain. Intense magickal or alchemical workings? That’s a different story, and I’m anal about days and times and associations with that. But the Sabbats and Esbats are church, man. They’re parties, and times to hang out with like minded people for some playacting and a bit of fun. But my gang is getting together Saturday night for our all-night Solstice vigil, if it helps you feel better. Of course, the actual solstice is no more Saturday night than it is Friday night - but who the heck wants to organize a Winter Solstice Breakfast? ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winter-solstice-is-on-friday-if/430597/6 "2007-12-19T18:56:52Z")
[QUOTE=WhyNot] But my gang is getting together Saturday night for our all-night Solstice vigil, if it helps you feel better. Of course, the actual solstice is no more Saturday night than it is Friday night - but who the heck wants to organize a Winter Solstice Breakfast? [/QUOTE] No kidding. Cakes and Ale go down a lot easier later in the day. At least for me. ---
**Author:** ![3acresandatruck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/e79b87/32.png) [@3acresandatruck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3acresandatruck)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winter-solstice-is-on-friday-if/430597/7 "2007-12-19T18:56:59Z")
[QUOTE=WhyNot] But my gang is getting together Saturday night for our all-night Solstice vigil, if it helps you feel better. Of course, the actual solstice is no more Saturday night than it is Friday night - but who the heck wants to organize a Winter Solstice Breakfast? [/QUOTE] and for the solstice, whichever day you observe it, here’s probably my favorite scene from Northern Exposure: [more light!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2TPMoP01Sc) ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winter-solstice-is-on-friday-if/430597/8 "2007-12-19T19:15:25Z")
[QUOTE=Ghanima] This Mundane, Pointless rant brought to you by the letter Q. [/QUOTE] …and the number 21.9222…Happy Solstice you F’n Mutha! ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winter-solstice-is-on-friday-if/430597/9 "2007-12-19T19:17:47Z")
[QUOTE=Ghanima] …you live West of the Rocky Mountains, dammit! I know I’m being an anal retentive stickler, but Solstice isn’t on Saturday if you live in California! Or Alaska! Or various other western states. It isn’t like Christmas where you just pick a random day of the year and it’s the same day every year. This year it happens on December 22 at 6:08 AM Universal time, which is at 10:08 PM on December 21 Pacific Standard Time. Why does this frustrate me so much? I don’t know. Perhaps a life needs to be gotten. I don’t know. So happy Solstice…on Friday, west coast motherfu\*\*ers! The same thing happens with the full moon. The calendar indicates what DAY the full moon falls on, not the night. I get irritated when some “Wiccan” tells me “the full moon is tonight” and I have to explain, that no, the moon was full at 2 AM LAST NIGHT, and you missed it, (you retard.) If you’re going to pretend it’s important on some spiritual level, at least get it right. This Mundane, Pointless rant brought to you by the letter Q. I’m going to try and locate a life now. [/QUOTE] Shouldn’t “anal-retentive” be hyphenated? Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winter-solstice-is-on-friday-if/430597/10 "2007-12-19T19:55:58Z")
[QUOTE=3acresandatruck] and for the solstice, whichever day you observe it, here’s probably my favorite scene from Northern Exposure: [more light!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2TPMoP01Sc) [/QUOTE] Thank you. I’m weeping right now, in love and gratitude. Cheesy, I know, but I’ve never seen that scene, and it’s just perfect. This has been a really hard holiday season on me, and you’ve just reminded me why I bother. Blessed Solstice, friends. ---
**Author:** ![Bobotheoptimist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Bobotheoptimist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobotheoptimist)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winter-solstice-is-on-friday-if/430597/11 "2007-12-19T21:16:06Z")
Hell, I celebrate the Solstice on the 25th. Fits in with that other holiday that some people are all into. Of course, as **WhyNot** mentioned, sacrifices and ritual work are a different story, but I usually save those for Imbolc. ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winter-solstice-is-on-friday-if/430597/12 "2007-12-19T21:27:13Z")
I don’t care about any religious or pagan rituals, all I care about is that the days will start getting longer again. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winter-solstice-is-on-friday-if/430597/13 "2007-12-19T21:44:26Z")
It’s on Saturday afternoon here and it’s the summer solstice. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winter-solstice-is-on-friday-if/430597/14 "2007-12-19T22:14:40Z")
[QUOTE=Ghanima] … The calendar indicates what DAY the full moon falls on, not the night. … [/QUOTE] The exact time of a full moon can be any time of the day, even 12 noon (but of course you couldn’t see it then). ---
**Author:** ![Santo\_Rugger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Santo\_Rugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santo_Rugger)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winter-solstice-is-on-friday-if/430597/15 "2007-12-19T22:23:41Z")
I don’t get it. I thought the solstice was defined by what _day_ the sun was out for the least amount of time. How can it be defined as a time? ---
**Author:** ![Ghanima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Ghanima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ghanima)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winter-solstice-is-on-friday-if/430597/16 "2007-12-19T22:31:41Z")
[QUOTE=ftg] The exact time of a full moon can be any time of the day, even 12 noon (but of course you couldn’t see it then). [/QUOTE] Exactly. I should have said “date” not day. [Wikipedia: “The instant when the Sun’s position in the sky is at its greatest angular distance on the other side of the equatorial plane as the observer, is the winter solstice.”](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_solstice) ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winter-solstice-is-on-friday-if/430597/17 "2007-12-19T22:35:15Z")
So I (being in California) will be able to balance eggs on their ends only on Friday, not Saturday? ---
**Author:** ![Ghanima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Ghanima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ghanima)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winter-solstice-is-on-friday-if/430597/18 "2007-12-19T22:38:30Z")
That’s an urban legend usually associated with the equinox, not the solstice. but it doesn’t matter because you can do it any day of the year. > **[Egg Balancing on the Equinox](https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/egg-balancing-on-the-equinox/)** > > Standing an egg on its end is something that can be done any day of the year, but most people never try it on any day other than the equinox. ---
**Author:** ![Santo\_Rugger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Santo\_Rugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santo_Rugger)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winter-solstice-is-on-friday-if/430597/19 "2007-12-19T22:39:53Z")
I still don’t get it. So, technically, it’s an instant, but to the -observer-. It seems like it’d change due to the difference between a side real day and a solar day, and be different by up to fifteen minutes on the opposite side of the globe. ---
**Author:** ![Ghanima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Ghanima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ghanima)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winter-solstice-is-on-friday-if/430597/20 "2007-12-19T23:03:25Z")
It’s just one time point for the entire globe. I understand it to mean the time when the earth is tilted furthest relative to the sun. It doesn’t matter where on earth you are standing at the time, except that if you’re in the northern hemisphere, it’s winter and if you’re in the southern hemisphere, it’s summer. Put yourself as the observer at a fixed distance from the sun, between the sun and the earth. As the year progresses, the earth will seem to move closer and farther from you, and the northern hemisphere will tilt toward you and away from you. Solstice is the point at which one hemisphere of the earth reaches it’s maximum tilt away from you. Hope that clears it up a bit? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winter-solstice-is-on-friday-if/430597.md?page=2)