Around lunchtime on Monday, astrological winter will begin.

At precisely 11:47 a.m. CST that day the sun will be directly over the Tropic of Capricorn - its southernmost point in its journey across the seasons - at 23.5 degrees south of the Equator.

Most people won't observe the winter solstice, but their bodies and dispositions might well take heed. And many holiday preparations are rooted in ancient rites associated with the year's shortest day. Daylight will be down to 9.7 hours in Tennessee.

The diminished hours of sunlight at this time of year can affect everything from how people feel to how much food they consume and sleep they get.

Source: The Associated Press