JUNE 21st THE SUMMER SOLSTICE

The word 'Solstice' derives from the Latin term meaning 'sun stood still', as in the winter and summer the sun appears to rise and set in practically the same place. Summer is one of the four seasons (Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn) and the seasons are affected by a change in the Earths rotational axis. The two significant points in the rotational axis are the shortest day (least daylight hours and longest moonlight hours) known as the Winter Solstice, celebrated on December 21, and the longest day (when the Earth points towards the Sun and so gives people in the northern hemisphere maximum daylight light hours and shortest moonlight hours) known as the Summer Solstice and celebrated on June 21. This time, June 21, is associated with the 'Honey' and 'Mead Moon', and is now often referred to as 'Midsummer'. To most it is remembered as the time of the year when the distance of the Sun from the equator is at its greatest distance. For others though it is a time to celebrate the achievement of man under the guidance and protection of 'Mother Earth' and 'Bel' (hence Beltane) resulting from their mutual veneration. In ancient Celtic and Wiccan beliefs such a time and event is symbolized by the 'Cauldron' and the 'Spear'

The Summer Solstice was incorporated into the Christian calendar during the spread of Christianity, and like so many of the old festivals, was given new meaning which was considered less Paganistic and more suited to the Christian festival. The Summer Solstice became the feast day of 'St. John the Baptist'.

TECHNICAL NOTE

The above article represents the traditional view but reference to accurate tables shows that the 19th, 20th and 21st of June have the longest days of the year. Tables can be downloaded from www.unso.navy.mil. One such table can be viewed by clicking this link Parley Sun Rise & Set Times. NOTE : All these times are in UTC. English folk like to call this GMT but the days of this are long gone. The table is for use in Parley only and does not give times for the rest of the world.

The seasons experienced in the Northern and Southern hemispheres are a result of the Earths axis being inclined 23.5 degrees to its orbit.

For further information on our Time And Relative Dimensions In Space Click here