© Carole Kanchier, PhD
What is a Solstice?
Our Earth rotates on its axis once each day, producing the cycle of day and night.
At the same time, the Earth moves around the Sun on its orbit over the course of a year. However, the axis of rotation of the Earth is not lined up with the axis of motion around the Sun. Instead, it is tilted slightly at 23.44°. This is sometimes referred to as the ‘ecliptic’.
This tilt means that during one half of the year the North side of the Earth is tilted slightly towards the Sun and the South is tilted away. For the other half of the year the reverse is true.
At the exact moment that the northern hemisphere is most tilted towards the Sun, the northern hemisphere experiences its summer solstice while the southern hemisphere has its winter solstice. About six months later, the northern hemisphere has its winter solstice while the southern hemisphere is at its summer solstice.
These key points in the year, along with the equinoxes, help to determine the seasons on Earth.
The world ‘solstice’ comes from the Latin solstitium meaning ‘Sun stands still’, because the apparent movement of the Sun’s path north or south stops before changing direction.
Celebrating the Solstice
Since humans began using the Sun as a timekeeper, particularly when it came to the cycle in farming, the summer solstice has been marked with varying degrees of importance.
Perhaps most famously, the ancient monument Stonehenge has for some time been the center of a ritual celebration. This comes from the fact the stones are lined up to frame the rising of the Sun on the solstice, perhaps suggesting a connection to the day and as a celebration of Sun. However it isn’t clear if marking summer solstice was indeed its purpose. The stones also mark the position of sunset on the winter solstice, and so may instead indicate a place to request the return of the summer months.
In any case, many modern day religious groups gather at the site to mark the occasion: it is also one of the rare times visitors are allowed to walk right up to the stones.
Elsewhere around the world, celebrations range from the biannual appearance of the feathered serpent shadow on the pyramid at Chichén Itzá in Mexico to a range of floral-themed events in countries like Sweden and Latvia.
In the southern hemisphere, where the summer solstice occurs in December, the day is instead strongly associated with Christmas, having once been the day of its celebration until various calendar changes shifted the dates apart.
Celebrating the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere
Celebrating the beginning of summer can be simple and fun. Here are some ways to enjoy this solstice.
– Meditate. The summer solstice is a great time to reflect on the past season and set goals for the season ahead. Take a few moments for yourself to relax and meditate. Take time for silence, communicate with nature. Learn to just “be.”
– Go for a swim. The summer solstice is a good time hang out by the pool, teach children to swim, walk near a lake or river, or exercise in the park or your backyard.
– Play outdoor games with family or friends. Set up a sprinkler and play a fun game of tag; or set up an obstacle course by repurposing items you have around your house like toy animals, hula hoops or bicycle tires.
– Have a bonfire. (Ensure you put it out before retiring.) Play music, sit around the fire, and enjoy snacks such as nachos, toasted marshmallows, or pineapple chunks, pick wild flowers and enjoy these at home in a vase.
– Start a garden. Prepare your soil to receive plants by tilling and mixing in compost or fertilizer. Select plants from your local garden shop, or ask your friends or neighbors for cuttings from their gardens. Then dig holes large enough for each plant, and be sure to leave enough space for the plants to grow. Gently place the plants in the holes and fill in the space with dirt or fertilizer. Water the newly planted flowers or vegetables gently, and enjoy your garden.
– Share additional summer activities with friends, co-workers, and neighbors.
Carole Kanchier, PhD
carole@questersdaretochange.com; www.questersdaretochange.com
Author Bio: Carole Kanchier, PhD, is an internationally recognized newspaper/digital columnist, registered psychologist, speaker, coach and author of Questers Dare to Change Your Job and Life. Kanchier has taught at University of California, Berkeley and Santa Cruz, University of Alberta, and other institutions of higher learning. Dr. Kanchier is known for her pioneering, interdisciplinary approach to human potential.
Based on ongoing research, award winning, Questers Dare to Change, shows how to create your desired life and navigate lifelong career decision making https://www.amazon.com/Questers-Dare-Change-Your-Life/dp/1508408963
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