Sunshine starts now: Happy Summer Solstice

Happy Summer Solstice! Today marks the longest day of the year as the sun is travelling along the northernmost part of the sky. This also means summer has begun in the Northern Hemisphere. While the entire day will be celebrated as the summer solstice, the exact moment of this event was 7:24am. Each year, the summer solstice occurs in late June with possible dates ranging from June 20-22 baased on the Earth’s rotation.

The word solstice has latin origins with sol meaning sun and sistere meaning to stand still making its exact translation being “sun to stand still”. Because the earth is on a tilt, the sun’s path is everchanging, this is the one time a year where the Earth’s path seems to reach a standstill. At this point in June, the earth’s path remains stagnant for a short amount of time making it a notable point in the year.

Each year, this astrological event is typically celebrated outdoors with a series of rituals. Large bonfires are typical lit to honor the peak sun and ward off any unwanted presences. Flower crowns also play a role in the solstice as they signify dreams of a spouse in the future by symbolizing a pillow to rest on. Additionally, nature walks are a common way to celebrate the abundance of greenery and produce that come along with the summer sun.

No matter how you celebrate the solstice today, be sure to take some time for yourself to get outside and soak up the summer sun.