December Solstice 2009 Sun

On December 21, a one-day silent meditation retreat honoring the solstice starts with observing sunrise on the beach at 6:35 a.m. CST. In 2009, with overcast sky, imagine the sun on the horizon under the bright spot in the clouds over the Gulf of Mexico. This is the farthest south the sun appears during the year.

We honor the solstice at 11:47 a.m. CST. During the day we break meditation periodically with slow walks, yoga, chanting, meals, and a long walk through the forest to a coastal dune lake. Here is the mid-day sun, lined up with the center of the galaxy, reflecting in the water of Eastern Lake.

Day ends with sunset on the beach at 4:48 p.m. CST. This is the shortest day of the year here in the northern hemisphere of earth.

These images are from videos. See Solstice December 2009.