My focus in the past few years has shifted from Christmas to the Winter Solstice. Consequently, here’s a list of various Winter Solstice events that will take place over the next few weeks here in the Ottawa area. This year’s Winter Solstice is a special one too, with a full eclipse of the full moon taking place in the early hours of December 21st!
If you know of any public Solstice events in the region, in addition to those I’ve listed below, feel free to provide the details in a comment. And if you have an interest in furthering Winter Solstice celebrations in and around Ottawa, you might wish to join the Facebook group Winter Solstice Ottawa and comment there as well.
Whether from the following list or elsewhere, I hope you’ll find a fun way to enjoy and appreciate Winter Solstice this year.
Author’s update: Wish there was more on offer in the Ottawa area? Please see my Dec. 11 and Dec. 20 posts.
SLOWest Winter Solstice Community Gathering
When: December 9, 2010, 6 PM to 9 PM
Where: First United/All Saints Anglican Church, 347 Richmond Rd.
Phone: 613-721-9200
Event info: http://sustainableottawawest.ning.com/events/the-slowest-winter-solstice
Join SLOWest on Thursday evening, December 9th for a Solstice Community Gathering. The aim is to align main community gatherings with key seasonal moments like the Winter Solstice but things are just too busy for folks in later December – hence the somewhat advanced date.
Things begin with a pot luck dinner. Feature of the evening will be a video presentation of some of Paul Hawken’s (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Hawken ) recent talks on the emerging global social/environmental movement which he sees as ‘our species’ immune system response’.
Stonehenge’s Seasons of the Sun
When: Fri, 10 December 2010, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Where: Canada Science and Technology Museum, 1867 St. Laurent Blvd.
Event info: http://www.sciencetech.technomuses.ca/english/whatson/astronomy-programs.cfm
What is a solstice? The ancient Druids knew, and so will you when you make your own seasonal model of the famous circle of stones known as Stonehenge.
Curious about space and astronomy? These hands-on workshops feature a new craft activity each month that encourages exploration of Science and Astronomy, complemented by either a guided tour of the heavens in the inflatable planetarium, a visit to the Canada in Space exhibition, or a visit to the Helen Sawyer Hogg Observatory (weather permitting).
Winter Solstice Celebration of Light!
When: Sunday, December 19, 2010, 6:00 PM
Where: PranaShanti Yoga Centre, 52 Armstrong St.
Cost: 22$ per person. All proceeds donated to the Food Bank.
Phone: 613-761-9642
Event info: info@pranashanti.com
Join PranaShanti owner, Devinder Kaur, and friends from different spiritual and devotional paths for a Winter Solstice Celebration to welcome the light! Warming spiced mulled apple juice and a special Winter Solstice dessert buffet with decadent chocolate fountain, fresh fruit and holiday treats served afterwards.
Winter Solstice
When: Tuesday, December 21, 2010, 10AM – 4PM
Where: Canada Science and Technology Museum, 1867 St. Laurent Blvd.
Cost: Museum admission applies
Event Info: http://sciencetech.technomuses.ca
Celebrate the shortest day of the year with indoor and outdoor activities that the whole family will enjoy at the Canada Science and Technology Museum.
Winter Solstice Stargazing
When: Tue, 21 December, 7:00PM – 8:30PM
Where: Canada Science and Technology Museum, 1867 St. Laurent Blvd.
Cost: free
Event Info: http://www.sciencetech.technomuses.ca/english/whatson/astronomy-programs.cfm
View the night sky from the Helen Sawyer Hogg Observatory. Strictly weather-permitting (no indoor presentations). Dress warmly.
Dragonfly Stew 