It’s the shortest day of the year, and most of us will never experience another winter solstice like this one.

This year is a little more special, this being the first time since 1967 that the solstice will coincide with a full moon. The next one won’t happen until 2062.

Astronomers are particularly excited for this ‘Oak Moon’ because, according to astronomers, if the solstice night is calm and cloudless… It will be irresistibly attractive and electrical.

There’s also something else special about this full moon, in addition to its falling on the solstice. It marks the fourth of four full moons in between the March 2016 equinox and the June 2016 solstice. Usually, there are only three full moons in one season (between an equinox and solstice, or vice versa), but sometimes there are four.

The term Oak Moon comes from legends and stories from ancient times. The oak is a symbol of strength and eternity. When the winter is in full reign over the Earth, it is important to remember the oak’s endurance. To survive the trials of winter, people must find within themselves the oak’s great strength.

The winter solstice is also a celebration that the days are getting longer. If we go back in history, the winter solstice was a cosmic event marking the end of one year and the beginning of the next. A lot of the ancient cultures would line up at the standing stones of Stonehenge where the sun would appear in the stone gateway. Pagans traditionally celebrated the winter solstice by feasting, drinking and performing rituals of thanks.

Even today, there is an inherent desire for most people to celebrate the shortest day of the year. For us, days are getting longer, there is more daylight to go for a SUP and summer is almost here again!

1. Your noontime shadow will be the longest of the year because of the sun’s low position.

2. While it’s the shortest day, it won’t be the earliest sunset.

3. Solstices tend to have the longest sunsets.

4. Each solstice marks a “turning” of the year.