In spite of the Omicron variant, December solstice will happen as it has for as long as the earth has gone around the sun. This year it happens today, December 21, at 9:59 am. Chicago time.

This is the moment when the sun appears to be above the Tropic of Capricorn, marking astronomical summer for the southern hemisphere of our earth. It’s summer in Antarctica!

You can read more about the solstice on Space.com.

There will be a livestream of sunrise from Stonehenge on Wednesday, December 22. You can follow it here.

Here, there is sun on the tall buildings along the Lake, the low angle of the light and shadows.

Sun on brick bungalows and neighborhood streets. Sunlight shining through the brown autumn grasses.

This will be the shortest day and longest night. This is the beginning of astronomical winter.

Chicago had broken the record for latest date of measurable snow. While there is no actual snow here, there are giant snowflake decorations!

The wheel of the year turns, out of the dark, into the light, turning toward spring and beginning again. Solstice Cheer–Light and Peace to all!