Oz’s Homestay Fly Inn B&B and Freefall Oz Skydiving Center Shinglehouse, PA Availability and Reservations (814) 697-7218 freefalloz@netsync.net Winter Solstice
The winter solstice is unique among days of the year—the shortest day and the longest night. The darkness triumphs but only briefly. For the solstice is also a turning point. From now on (until the summer solstice, at any rate), the nights grow shorter and the days grow longer, the dark wanes and the Sun waxes in power. From the dark womb of the night, the light is born. The word solstice means literally "sun stand," describing a phenomenon related to the sun's apparent movement south during the winter. As the sun reaches its southernmost position at the winter solstice, it seems to stand still for a few days. Then it turns around and heads north, bringing with it a few more minutes of light every day. The apparent motion of the sun is due to the earth's tilt as it revolves around the sun. At the winter solstice, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun so the sun seems to be farther south. At summer solstice, by contrast, we are tilted towards the sun, thus enjoying the maximum amount of light. Of course, the opposite conditions exist in the Southern Hemisphere.
Come stay at Oz's Homestay for Christmas or New Years Eve! Let us be your Homestay for the Holiday's! Let us do the cooking while you rest, relax and unwind. Oz’s is also promoting special weekends and looking forward to gathering with new and old friends to welcome in the New Year!Join us on January 7th & 8th or 28st & 29nd for special dinner party celebrations.
Saturday January 22nd – Live folk/celtic music with Tunescape More information to come!
And, don’t forget your sweetheart on Valentines weekend!
Birth of the Sun
Winter Solstice was celebrated as the birth of the sun, the birth of light, the birth of life. The ancient Persians set bonfires on this day and their rulers sent birds aloft bearing torches of dried grass to stimulate the sun. The Romans celebrated two different sun holidays in December. The Agonia on December 11 honored the ancient Sun god, Sol Indiges (indiges being from the same root word as indigenous). On December 25th, the Romans recognized the birth of Sol Invictus, the Unconquered Sun, definitely the sun returning triumphantly from the darkness of midwinter. The Zuni and Hopi people of Southwest North America also honor the Winter Solstice with ceremonies. Zuni houses contain plates on the walls that are lit by the rays of the sun passing through a small window only one day a year: on winter solstice. After the Pekwin or Sun Priest of the Zuni announces the exact moment of the itiwanna, the rebirth of the sun, twelve kachina clowns appear to perform a ritual dance along with effigies of 12-foot high birds that were seen as messengers of the gods. The Hopi also celebrate the rebirth of the sun with an all-night ceremony called the Prayer-offering ceremony. The Solstice day was a "day of good will, when every man wishes for prosperity and health, for his family and friends." wrote the anthropologist Edmund Nequatewa in 1931.
Gift Certificates Looking for a gift for someone special? We are happy to offer Gift Certificates for Christmas or other occasions. Gift Certificates are available for B&B accommodations and skydiving Gift Certificates can be purchased over the phone with a credit card and will be sent to you or the recipient. Call us at 814-697-7218 or 716-378-2211 or e-mail us at freefalloz@netsync.net to make arrangements.