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Blogs by Rolf Richardson
Winter solstice 12/7/2019 1:52:52 AM
The winter solstice, when the sun hovers lowest on the horizon, occurs this year on 22nd. December - but only for those of us in the northern hemisphere. Because nearly 90% of the world's population live north of the equator, it's become traditional to celebrate this pagan and now Christian festival as a 'White Christmas', complete with over-eating, Santa Claus and snow scenes.
So what of the 10% living south of the equator, where it's midsummer? Whatever the original inhabitants might have done has been swamped by a tidal wave of migrants from Europe, who have continued their old habits of taking a few days off in mid December for family gatherings and general carousing. Last year I spent this festive season down under, where snow was in short supply, so we headed for the beach. Still Christmas, but different.
