Winter Solstice also known as Hibernal Solstice. Is the two moments during the year, when the path of the sun is farthest South in the Northern Hemisphere, (December 21 or 22) and farthest North in the Southern Hemisphere, (June 20 or 21). During the Winter Solstice the sun travels the shortest path throughout the sky, that day therefore has the littlest amount of daylight and the longest time at night. When, Winter Solstice happens in the Northern Hemisphere, the North Pole is tilted about 23.4 degrees away from the sun. Because the suns rays are shifted Southward from the Equator, by the same amount the vertical noon rays are directed, overhead at the Tropic of Capricorn. Six months later the South Pole is inclined about 23.4 degrees away from the sun. This day of winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, the suns vertical overhead rays progress to their northernmost position, the Tropic of Cancer. The astronomical definition of the seasons, winter solstice also marks the beginning of winter, this last until the vernal equinox (March 20 or 21) in the Northern Hemisphere, or September 22 or 23 in the Southern Hemisphere. After the solstice the days get longer and the days have know been celebrated by many cutures as the time of rebirth. The winter solstice is also known as “Yule” which is the pagan version.