LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Solstice is the occasion on Earth that happens two times a year – on June 21 and Dec. 21.

Our winter solstice on Dec. 21 marks the point in the year in which we experienced Earth's axis as pointing away from the sun in its orbit.

While we delight in winter here in the Northern Hemisphere, those in the Southern Hemisphere celebrate summer's onset.

Both hemispheres will now experience this as the season of shortest duration, with the shadow at noon seemingly out of its “normal” placement due to the sun's lower sweep across the heavens.

We have an 89-day winter season, from December solstice to March equinox, and by contrast, our summer solstice occurs at a longer length – from June solstice to September equinox at just over 93 days.

Now is when we want to snuggle and linger longer under our warm blankets since we are experiencing a late sunrise each morn and early sundown each eve.

Winter solstice has been celebrated worldwide for centuries. It is believed that Stonehenge, the giant rock placements set in a field in England, monuments in Machu Picchu in Peru and many other locales all honor the sun's path across the sky.

In times past, astronomical events such as the winter solstice were maps for all manner of events like carefully guarding foodstuffs that were painstakingly planted, harvested and prepared for the coming months.

The annual cycle of our planet has played a significant part of many cultures in both traditions and myths.

In northern Europe this time is named Yule, and yes, a yule log plays a part of the festivities.

Yule is a dozen days of midwinter celebrations. The word Yuletide combines two significant items together – both a season and its traditions. Then, a yule log and a wreath play a part in the events, as they often do today.

In some cultures this time of year was set aside for worship and greatly honored nature and all of her gifts.

The winter solstice is sometimes known in western culture as Blue Christmas, while in Asia the Dongzhi Festival occurs.

In Iran the holiday of winter solstice is called Yalda, and in Ancient Rome it was known as Brumalia.

Whatever you choose to call it, Happy Winter Solstice and Happy Holidays!

Kathleen Scavone, M.A., is a retired educator, potter, writer and author of “Anderson Marsh State Historic Park: A Walking History, Prehistory, Flora, and Fauna Tour of a California State Park” and “Native Americans of Lake County.” She also formerly wrote for NASA and JPL as one of their “Solar System Ambassadors.” She was selected “Lake County Teacher of the Year, 1998-99” by the Lake County Office of Education, and chosen as one of 10 state finalists the same year by the California Department of Education.