Winter

The season we call "winter" begins at the winter solstice, a term that indicates the sun is moving to its lowest angle and thus the farthest distance from the viewer. Solstice comes from the Latin words sol for "sun" and sistere for "stand still." In the Northern Hemisphere, winter as we know it officially begins somewhere around December 21. For centuries, cultures around the world have observed traditions, festivals, and rituals to mark this season of snow and ice, hockey and skiing, wreaths and wrappings.