**The Solstice: A Celestial Turning Point**
At 15:03 UT today, the Sun, in its perceived journey southward, will momentarily pause above the Tropic of Capricorn before commencing its upward journey toward the Tropic of Cancer. This occasion, referred to as the solstice, comes from the Latin term *Solstitium*, which signifies the moment when the sun appears to halt. It consists of *sol*, meaning the sun, and the root of *sistere*, meaning to stand still, underscoring this significant celestial phenomenon.
The term ‘Tropic’ is derived from the Latin *tropicus*, which relates to a turn, and the Greek *tropikos*, signifying related to a change. This indicates the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere and the summer solstice in the southern hemisphere.
Dismissing the conventional designation of midnight on 31 December as the onset of the New Year, the Renaissance Mathematicus views the winter solstice as the true beginning of the year, a period when light starts to return. This occurrence symbolizes renewal and the hope of lengthening days ahead.
Wishing all readers a joyful solstice! Savor whichever seasonal celebrations you engage in. I personally do not observe any, yet I extend my thanks for your involvement, comments, and feedback throughout the year. May our collective journey persist.
Please note, there will be no standard blog entry on Wednesday. Beginning Thursday, we will continue the tradition of the Renaissance Mathematicus Christmas Trilogy. New readers can familiarize themselves with the history and the past sixteen years of trilogies [here](https://thonyc.wordpress.com/the-trilogies-of-christmas-past/).