Summer begins in the Northern Hemisphere on June 20th this year. The word Solstice is Latin in origin and translates as, Sol =the Sun, + stitere =standing still.
On that day, the North Pole tilts most directly Sunward. Those of us in the Northern Hemisphere experience this as the longest day and shortest night of the year. Around December 21, the Winter Solstice, the North Pole points away from the Sun giving us in the Northern Hemisphere, our shortest day, and longest night. This tilting of the Earth’s rotational axis gives us our seasons. During each Solstice, the Sun appears to both rise and set at the exactly opposite spot on the horizon. The Solar Calendars like Stonehenge and the Sun Dagger in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico operate by indicating this point.
Symbols of Summer:
The rose, bees, the fast-growing vine and the bright sun. Modern symbols include flip-flops, Outdoor weddings, icy pitchers of lemonade, beach umbrellas and baseball games!
Foods of Summer:
Fruits, fresh picked vegetables, pickled salads, cold soups, tomatoes, and iced tea.
Colors of Summer:
Brights: lime green, lemon yellow, sunny orange, sky blue.
The Zodiacal Signs of Summer:
The solstice is the first day of Cancer – July 22, Leo from July 23 – August 22, and Virgo from August 23 – September 8 this year.
The Stones of Summer:
Cancer resonates with white stones like shell and pearl. Leo with gold stones like citrine and tiger-eye. Virgo with blue stones like sodalite and sapphire.
Activities of Summer:
picnics, gardening, parades and festivals, fireworks, weeding, swimming outside, long walks in the sunshine.
Links:
The Farmer’s Almanac’s Solstice Page
The Empire of the Sun a Museum exhibit from Denmark, roughly translated into English
Lose weight by walking: an article and tips from the Health Ambition Community
The Chaco Canyon Sun Dagger petroglyphs
The Solstice Project: A Research Project about Fajada Butte
An interactive model of the Sun Dagger
Inga Duncan Thornell 