Let me pre-empt the imminent winter solstice which is upon us in coming hours. You could say that here in the deep south of the planet, we have our mid-winter festivities around now, like Christmas in June. Actually there are no festivities, though for me every day is a holy day. It is, however, cold and so I see now the reasoning behind the annual mid-winter festival up north.
The southern coastline of Africa has some winter flowers too
The sun is at its lowest point and we now welcome the imminent return of the sun. That’s what the Christmas and before that Saturnalia holiday festivals are all about. Right now the sun is weak and the days are at their shortest. And so we celebrate the return from the dead of winter, so to speak, of the life-giving sun.
We are all, after all, children of the sun, every single one, plants included. So naturally all our pagan and contemporary religious festivals (adopted from the pagans) are all about sun worship. Not many people know that. Here we call ourselves “sunny South Africa” because we are a land of major sunshine all year long. Still, right now it is relatively cold for me, despite the weak sunshine.
Here the sun reflects off the stream on its way to the ocean nearby
So I celebrate the return of the sun, and lengthening days. I will have to wait a week of so until the days really start lengthening once more. And the winter cold will continue for a few more months. Nevertheless, this moment marks the point where the south gets to see the shortest day of the year.
From here on the sunshine hangs around longer and so life can appear brighter. Naturally the sun is the source of life for us all and so the sun is the center of our life as well as our solar system. It has been seen as the god by many cultures over the millennia, from India to Egypt to South America, and those in between. I celebrate the sun and I celebrate life in all its abundant forms. Let the sun shine through.
A great view of the ravine and stream on my hiking trail along the southern coastline of Africa
Here in the deep south, on the southernmost shores of Africa, I am blessed with abundant sun and so life is glorious all year long. It may be chilly now by comparison but it is mild compared to the chill factor in the northern hemisphere, where one would freeze to death easily without artificial heating, besides merely the sunshine. Here I can survive solely on sun power all throughout the year. This is a haven and shelter on the delicately balanced planet at present, both ecologically and socially.
Nature truly is harmonious, cyclic and nurturing. Exceptions do occur on the rare odd occasion, where the general parameters are overstepped, but not when it comes to the clockwork precision of our rotation around our center of attention, namely the sun. So today, as the sun reaches its nadir or lowest point in my yearly cycle, I worship the sun as an expression and representative of my god, and I celebrate the return of the sun.
(photos my own)
absolutely lovely images of our gorgeous hometown! We too have been counting the hours till we can start counting towards summer days. I injured my knee in December, so I haven't been able to hike or go for beach walks for months sulks but hopefully, I will be right as rain by the time spring rolls around so I can go adventuring with @ZakLudick and our gorgeous kids!
Awesome Claire, may you heal well and hike on. Happy solstice to you and the family.
Coastline here in Durban is fine in winter, shorter days, no humidity for me is delightful. Yes tomorrow marks the shortest day for us, personally I think the next couple of months become colder than the early winter.
Happy Solstice and thanks for the amazing photography from your walks Julian.
Thanks Joan, good to be in touch from coast to coast lol. Yes the chill factor may increase though the sun is returning.
Half moon still up on a bright sunny morning, cool most enjoyable breeze blowing through, enjoy the daylight hours.
How are you dear friend @julianhorack good afternoon
What a beautiful place that you let us know in this opportunity, I love the view of the cover image
excellent shots
Hey there many thanks for your reply and positive feedback. All well here. Let the sun shine in.
We appreciate your work and your publication has been hand selected by the geography curation team on behalf of the Amazing Nature Community. Keep up the good work!
Thank you geography team, much appreciated. Life is best lived in harmony with nature.
Happy Solstice to you!
I love the first photo of the coastline thanks for sharing :)
Haha hey there friend. May you be blessed by the solstice rays. I will post more photos in coming days.
Best wishes to you.
Thank you :)
Amazing nature!!!
Yes indeed Chanmaly.
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