Welcome back to the sun (in the morning)
Published: Thu, 01/07/16
Today I am welcoming the return of the sun in the morning. You may think that the shortest day of the year was round about the 21st or 22nd of December last year. In terms of the total amount of daylight that is more or less true. But as far as sunrises and sunsets are concerned the issue is a little bit more complicated. Here in the UK the earliest sunset actually occurred at about eight minutes to four in the afternoon of the 12th of December. By the 19th of December sunset was already about a minute later and by Tuesday this week (5th of January) Sunset had already moved to about ten minutes past four pm.
However on the 12th of December sunrise was as early as four minutes before eight in the morning and early this week, say the 4th of January, the sun rose at about 6 minutes past eight in the morning.
So, since the evenings started getting later nearly four weeks ago, the mornings have got later by at least ten minutes.
So, the shortest day may be on or around the 21st of December, but the shortest afternoon is in the second week of December and the shortest morning in the first week of January.
So what? Partly just a curious fact that intrigues me and may interest you. There is also a lesson in that apparent ‘facts’ that are readily taken for granted, in this case the notion that the day gets longer and shorter from both ends at the same time, isn’t actually the case at all. It isn’t exactly occult, eg ‘hidden knowledge’ either. I have a Local Preacher’s diary and on every Saturday the times for sunrise and sunset are listed, and have been for who knows how long. However I admit that I only noticed this peculiar discrepancy when someone pointed it out to me a week or two ago. I am betting this is the first time you noticed too.
So, you learn something new every day.
I have also posted more information on my Stav for Close Quarter Combat Camp which will be in Somerset in early June. Why would you want to come? Mainly because I will be getting to the root of what martial arts training and self-defence is really all about.
For example. Everyone ‘knows’ that training is about developing speed and power and that you have to be faster and stronger than your opponent to ‘win’ fights? What do you mean by ‘win’? And structure and stillness is much more effective, in the right context, than speed and power. And what is context? Well the five principles are about context but, how do you explore the principles of Stav?
If these questions interest you then I think this camp will provide the answers.
I suggest you visit http://somersetstav.co.uk/sd.html and read about my approach to practising and teaching. Then you can follow the links to whichever training opportunity interests you, USA seminar in May, CQC seminar in Somerset, UK in June or the monthly seminars in Salisbury or Crewkerne.
Regards
Graham
PS I am having a big shake up regarding my emailing system. I have had several lists running and I am now trying to get all my subscribers onto this list (or my runes list). If you notice any weird stuff happening, duplicate messages for example, please let me know so I can sort it out.
Thanks, and a slightly belated happy new year.