On Monday, December 21, 2009, The center, will be presenting our 10th annual Winter Solstice. Outside celebrations marking the longest night of the year start as the sun goes down, so dress to keep warm.

Solstice, now as in ancient times, marks the longest night of the year whereby the Sun is at its lowest elevation in the sky. The return of the Sun from its most southern position on the horizon has always been of great ceremonial significance, in addition to serving as a celestial clock.

Through the magic of Irish mythology, special visitors from afar will be here on December 21st to help us celebrate Solstice, which is considered the oldest celebrated festival in the world. Our special visitors are known as the ‘Swans from Pleiades’.

The customary Irish dinner will be served starting at 4:00 p.m. Reservations for food would be appreciated by December 19th. Please call 480-242-3500 or 602-258-0109.

WHAT: Solstice celebrations

WHERE: Irish Cultural Center, 1106 N. Central Ave., Phoenix.

(A Light Rail stop is nearby at Roosevelt St.)

WHEN: Monday, December 21, 2009 4:00 pm

COST: $12.00 includes dinner. $6.00 for presentations only.

For further information, please call (480) 242-3500 or (602) 258-0109 or check www.azirish.org.

Solstice, now as in ancient times, marks the longest night of the year as the Sun is at its lowest elevation in the sky. The return of the Sun from its most southern position on the horizon has always been of great ceremonial significance, in addition to serving as a celestial clock. In Phoenix the occasion is marked by music and poetry. Ribbons are placed on the branches of the special Ribbon Tree, to spiritually unite us with those no longer here. A parade from the hunger memorial on site takes us to the bonfire where the Grove of the Rising Phoenix shares their ritual traditions. )

The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year and has special significance in Irish history. "The Megalithic Passage Tomb at Newgrange was built about 3200 BC. The passage and chamber of Newgrange are illuminated by the winter solstice sunrise. A shaft of sunlight shines through the roof box over the entrance and penetrates the passage to light up the chamber. The dramatic event lasts for 17 minutes at dawn from the 19th to the 23rd of December". www.knowth.com/newgrange.htm.   Solstice, now as in ancient times, marks the longest night of the year, whereby the Sun is at its lowest elevation in the sky. The return of the Sun from its most southern position on the horizon has always been of great ceremonial significance, in addition to serving as a celestial clock. In Phoenix the occasion is marked by music and poetry. Ribbons are placed on the branches of the special Ribbon Tree, to spiritually unite us with those no longer here. A parade from the hunger memorial on site takes us to the bonfire where the Grove of the Rising Phoenix shares their ritual traditions.

The occasion now as in ancient times marks the longest night of the year. For people living in Ireland, this could mean having darkness for as many as seventeen hours. So it is understandable why the first farmers who arrived Ireland over 5,000 years ago, so eagerly awaited evidence from within the passage tomb called Newgrange, in county Meath, for signs that the sun had started to return from it's annual southern migration. The penetration of light from the rising sun into the central chamber at Newgrange on December 21 had great ceremonial significance for the Irish and others in pre-historic times, in addition to serving as a precise celestial clock for those early farmers.