Winter solstice to coincide with lunar eclipse for first time in 456 years

This year's winter solstice will coincide with a full lunar eclipse in a union that has not been seen in 456 years.
The reappearance of the celestial eccentricity -- an event that will occur on Tuesday -- holds special significance for spiritualities that tap into the energy of the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year and a time that is associated with the rebirth of the sun.
"It's a ritual of transformation from darkness into light," says Nicole Cooper, a high priestess at Toronto's Wiccan Church of Canada.
Ms. Cooper said Wiccans also would see great significance in the unique coupling of the masculine energy of the sun and the feminine energy of the moon.
The last time the two happened at the same time was in 1554, according to NASA.
The eclipse will start just after midnight EST Tuesday, with the main event starting at 1:30 a.m. and lasting until 5:30 a.m.

The last time the two celestial events happened at the same time was in AD 1554, according to NASA.

An otherwise seemingly unexceptionable year in recorded history, the darkened moon happened during a bleak year for Tudor England.

Lady Jane Grey was beheaded for treason that year, while Princess Elizabeth was imprisoned in the Tower of London. Mary of Guise - the mother of Mary, Queen of Scots - became regent of Scotland.