21 December- longest day

In the southern hemisphere we had the longest day yesterday 21 december. And I had to dive deep into the traditions of the people who belong here, the aboriginals.

The Aboriginal people of Australia, with their rich cultural, have a deep connection to the land and celestial events. While specific practices and traditions varied among different Aboriginal groups, many did observe and celebrate significant astronomical occurrences, including the longest day of the year, which marks the summer solstice.

Various Aboriginal groups across Australia engaged in ceremonies and rituals during the summer solstice to honor the sun and express gratitude for its life-giving energy. These ceremonies were often deeply spiritual, connecting the community with the cosmic forces that influenced their lives.

The celebration of the longest day was not only a celestial observance but also an opportunity to deepen the connection to the land. Aboriginal cultures were intimately tied to the rhythms of nature, and the changing seasons played a crucial role in their hunting, gathering, and ceremonial practices. The summer solstice marked a pivotal moment in the cyclical dance of the seasons.

Aboriginal celebrations of the longest day were grounded in a profound respect for the interconnectedness of all living beings. These ceremonies were not only an acknowledgment of astronomical phenomena but a holistic expression of being in harmony with the Earth. The rhythms of nature guided their lives, fostering a sustainable and balanced existence.

Wurdi Youang

Wurdi Youang is an Aboriginal stone arrangement believed to be thousands of years old. It consists of a series of stones set in an egg-shaped circle. The purpose and age of Wurdi Youang are subjects of ongoing research and debate. Some researchers suggest that the arrangement may have astronomical significance, potentially aligning with the solstices.

"The stone arrangement takes the form of an irregular egg-shape or ovoid about 50 m (164 ft) in diameter with its major axis aligning east-west.[3] It is composed of about 100 basalt stones, ranging from small rocks about 200 mm (8 in) in diameter to standing stones about 1 m (3 ft) high with an estimated total mass of about 23 t (23 long tons).[4] There are three prominent waist-high stones, at its western end, which is the highest point of the ring. The purpose, use, and age of the arrangement are not known.[5] The purpose of the site may be ceremonial in nature as with many other stone arrangements in southeastern Australia.[6]

A series of stones, located to the west of the arrangement's western apex, mark the positions of the setting sun at the equinoxes and solstices.[10] A survey study shows that these alignments are accurate to within a few degrees. Additionally, the straight sides of the arrangement, which diverge from its eastern apex, also indicate the setting position of the sun at the solstices to within a few degrees and at the equinoxes the sun sets over the three prominent stones at the apex.[3]

It has been suggested by scientists studying the arrangements that it could be as old as 11,000 years (based on carbon dating at nearby sites),[11] which could make it the oldest astronomical observatory in the world.[12] However, the age of the arrangement is not known."

Wikipedia