Hooray! Summer officially begins on June 20, 2012, the longest day of
year in the Northern Hemisphere. A long hot day to be shopping for
commercial truck insurance, luckily we have AC! This afternoon, at exactly 4:08PM PDT,
the North Pole will tilt directly toward the sun at about 23.5 degrees,
while the sun will reach its farthest distance from the equator, marking
the summer solstice.
Solstice is derived from the Latin words sol, meaning "sun," and
sistere,
meaning "to stand still." As the days become increasingly longer, the
sun climbs higher and higher in the sky until it appears to stand still.
Once the sun has reached its climax at the summer solstice, it will
begin to descend as the days become increasingly shorter in the Northern
Hemisphere until the winter solstice. What does this occasion mean to those around the globe and how is
it celebrated?
- In northern European countries such as Denmark, Finland, Sweden and
Norway, the summer solstice (or midsummer, as it's often called) is
referred to as the day that never ends. It's celebrated with bonfires,
outdoor festivals, singing, dancing and food.
- Midsommardagen is Sweden's traditional midsummer festival, observed
throughout the country and in full bloom during the month of June. On
Midsummer's Eve, which is always on a Friday, young girls place nine
different flowers under their pillows to dream of their future husbands,
while on Midsummer's Day, flower wreaths are worn while men, women and
children dance around the maypole.
- For thousands of years, the summer solstice has been worshiped and
celebrated at Stonehenge, near Salisbury, England. Today, thousands of
Druids and others gather at the sacred site, which is open for free to
the public, to greet the rising sun on the longest day of the year.
Throughout the night, people play music, perform rituals and party till
dawn.
- Sunrise Celebration is an ethical living and organic arts and music
festival powered by 100 percent renewable energy. Held on an organic
farm in England, the festival has a site-wide organic food and drink
policy and promotes a positive feeling of heartfelt gratitude. It's a
celebration of summertime, community and creativity, featuring 13 music
stages, performances, healing arts, crafts, talks and workshops.
- The present-day belief that June weddings are lucky can be traced back
to the ancient Druids' celebration of "the wedding of Heaven and Earth"
on the summer solstice. Traditionally the best time of year to harvest
honey from the beehives, midsummer moon was referred to by pagans as the
"honey moon," referencing the honey wine used in wedding ceremonies
held on the summer solstice.
- The summer solstice is a magical time in Latvia when traditional folk
customs are brought to life on Jani, the country's most beloved holiday.
Also known as Grass Day, Jani is celebrated in the countryside, and
flower and oak leaf wreaths are hung everywhere. As tradition goes, you
must stay awake all night on the eve of Jani, and folks gather around
huge bonfires to sing the customary Ligo ("sway") songs and eat homemade
caraway cheese.
- New York welcomes summer with a collective ohm in the middle of Times
Square. On June 20, thousands of participants will roll out their yoga
mats at The Crossroads of the World to celebrate the longest day of the
year with an all-day yoga fest. Free classes will be held from 7:30AM to
8:30PM, along with musical performances, lectures, giveaways and more!
- Since 1974, Santa Barbara, Calif., puts on an extravagant summer solstice parade, complete with over-the-top floats, flamboyant costumes,
brilliant dance ensembles, creative street performers and eclectic
music. But unlike other parades, this one is about getting back to
basics; even the floats are man-powered. This year's theme, "Fantasy,"
promises not to disappoint.
No need for a pilgrimage to stage your own summer solstice celebration.
Pull from any of the above traditions or start your own: Pick
wildflowers, tend to your garden, watch the sunrise, have a picnic, dance around a sacred fire, and gather with friends and family on the longest
day of the year. Not your thing? Then how about taking those extra hours of hot sunshine to shop for some new commercial truck insurance with Berrier Insurance!! Give us a call 888.472.4915
