The winter solstice was today the 21st, There is also a rare astrological alignment, that has not occured for about 350 years.
(This year's Solstice is different from others in the past, because for the first time since 1664, the Sun will move into Capricorn, mere hours after Saturn makes the same exact shift; this will cause the sun and Saturn to actually line up, a phenomenon which is expected to have very uncomfortable consequences.)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-5191403/The-Winter-Solstice-2017-worst-day-year.html
And it was the darkest day of the year as well.
This day would have great significance, especially with rare alignment involving Saturn.