While Ancient Egyptians would call it “the Rebirth of the Sun,” the winter solstice is approaching, causing the Northern hemisphere to prepare for the longest night of the year. On Sunday, December 21, 2025, at 10:03 a.m. EST, Earth will witness the North Pole tilting far away from the Sun. Many communities continue to celebrate this rare moment as the return of sunlight. Citizens affected by the winter solstice are advised not to look directly at the sun, as this could severely impact their vision.
What causes the sun’s position to change?
The winter solstice occurs because the Earth does not orbit the sun directly. The planet orbits the sun at a 23.5-degree angle, and the tilt provokes the sun’s path to wander north and south across the sky all year round. On Sunday, the sun will reach the southernmost point. On this day, since the northern hemisphere receives the least sunlight, these areas will experience less daylight.
Cities in the southern United States experience three to four hours of daylight loss from June to December. Australia will experience its longest day of the year, being in the Southern Hemisphere, and China, its shortest in the Northern Hemisphere.
Understanding the ancient Egyptian cultural belief of the sun’s rebirth
Many older civilizations believed that the winter solstice was a crucial moment. They believed that the sun had been weakened by winter, and the moment of the solstice saw the sun regaining its strength yet again and being reborn.
Ancient Egyptians strongly believed in this rebirth of the sun, and they strategically aligned the Temple of Karnak in a way that the sunlight could pierce the inner area on a solstice morning. This led to the lighting up of the solar deity’s altar, the altar of Amun-Ra. Egypt is not alone; Ireland had a moment where Newgrange was engineered so that, for just 17 minutes, sunlight could come directly into the burial chambers. More than just the winter solstice, for the Maya, Celts, and Germanic people, this moment is celebrated through feasts and rituals.
Ancient cultures viewed this day as a turning point, whereby there was a shift from the bleakness of winter to the moment when the sun returned. This symbolism is still seen in the winter holidays, and the themes of revival and light still seep through.
More than an ancient rebirth belief, an actual reset for the world
Unlike people from ancient times, we do not depend on seasonal changes for survival. Nevertheless, we still feel a strong connection to the sky. For many, the winter solstice has both psychological and astronomical implications. Beyond Sunday, daylight will steadily lengthen until the final moments of spring and summer fully come along. Interestingly enough, astronomers revealed the real center of the Solar System isn’t really the sun.
Approaching the winter solstice with caution this Sunday
On December 21, the sun will both rise and set at the southern-most point, and shadows will surely be the longest. Many people await the midday sun, as at midday, the sun will be far lower in the sky than at any other time of the year. There are tools provided to track the position of the sun. The key thing to remember is to never look directly at the sun with the naked eye.
Holding onto the ancient Egyptian’s belief that this may be a moment of rebirth, it surely is a reminder that even during the coldest season, the hope of light is on its way. Irrespective of your beliefs about the rebirth of the sun, it surely is a celestial rebirth. Those keen on exploring facts from ancient Egyptian times will be pleased to note that Tutankhamun’s dagger has “extraterrestrial materials.