Sakutan Touji (朔旦冬至)

In Japan, December 22nd is called “Touji (冬至)”. It is the day of winter solstice when solar energy becomes the weakest as it has the shortest daylight and the longest night of the year.

Historically Touji was considered as the beginning of a new year as the day time is getting longer and longer after the day.
It is the time to move forward from darkness to light.

Today is also the new moon which is the first phase of the moon.

It is called Sakutan Touji (朔旦冬至) when the new moon and Touji coincidentally meet on the same day. It is very rare as it occurs every 19 years.

Sakutan Touji is the day both sun and moon rebirth.

Please take a moment to meditate and let your thoughts fill with hope, joy, peace and happiness for the coming season of light and transmit the positive vibration to the world!

Traditionally Japanese people eat pumpkin and take "Yuzu-yu(柚子湯)", a bath with a lot of whole Yuzu (a kind of Japanese aromatic citrus) on the day of Touji. It is said it will help you to stay in good health without catching a cold during the winter. 

If you are in Japan, you can find Yuzu in any supermarkets. Also you will find Yuzu-yu in your local Sento (銭湯), a public bath on Touji day.

P.S. Even Capybaras love Yuzu-yu in Japan!

http://news.mynavi.jp/news/2014/12/17/141/