![]() The circle dates back over 4,000 years to neolithic times and is a popular meeting place for people from all over Britain who come to celebrate both the winter and summer solstices with the beautiful Cumbrian fells as a backdrop. ![]() KESWICK, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 21: A Yule log lies between two of the stones during the evening of the Winter Solstice at the Castlerigg Stone circle on Decemin Keswick, England. The tradition didn’t spread to England until Queen Victoria married Prince Albert of Germany, where the decorations became more elaborate. ![]() In 1500’s Germany the tradition of adding candles, apples, and cookies became popular with Lutherans. (Photo by Michael Kappeler / POOL / AFP) / (Photo by MICHAEL KAPPELER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Picture taken on Decemshows German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier lighting candles on the Christmas tree after the recording of the annual Christmas speech at the Bellevue Palace in Berlin. Even after their conversion to Christianity the tradition stayed, bringing an evergreen tree into your home during the solstice to scare away the devil. Evergreens were part of the Roman celebration of Saturnalia and tree worship was a part of Scandanavian culture. Forest Service has a helpful breakdown of several plants we associate with Christmas and the traditions behind them, the most prominent being the Christmas tree, or Yule tree. How to see the once-in-a-lifetime ‘Christmas comet’ this week
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