Longest night, brightest vibes — the magic of Winter Solstice!

The shortest day of the year is here! Did you know the Winter Solstice marks the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere? Winter officially began today, December 21, at exactly 4.20 am Eastern Standard Time (EST) and at 2:50 pm Indian Standard Time (IST)!

Different cultures celebrate the year's longest night in their own beautiful way. On this day, the Iranians stay up all night, celebrating Yalda, which represents light’s victory over darkness, with poetry, pomegranates, and hope for brighter days.

The Japanese like to soak their worries away, as they take a hot bath with the fruit yuzu and eat foods with the “n” sound, believing it to be a recipe for prosperity, warmth, health, and luck during the year’s longest night!

For all the travel buffs, England’s Stonehenge would be the place to be! This historical monument isn’t just ancient rocks, it’s an astronomical marvel! On the solstice, the sun perfectly aligns with its stones.

Winter’s the season that makes us want to bury ourselves under fuzzy blankets all day but its not working! Want to thrive, not just survive, the cold? Scandinavians say, “Bundle up, get outside, and bring on the cozy candles!” Learn the art of winter positivity. Move more, sit less!

A story of the night and the light: For all you nerds out there, were you aware that there are books about the shortest day of the year too? Susan Cooper’s The Shortest Day celebrates the solstice’s promise of brighter days ahead.

Good news or bad news, we don’t know but every day after the solstice gets a little longer! So, light those candles, sip some cocoa (or whatever it is that sparks joy in you), and celebrate brighter tomorrows!