First Day of Summer

Today is officially the first day of Summer.   It is also known as the Summer Solstice and is the day of the year with the longest period of daylight and the shortest night.   This marks the first day of the season of Summer and will last until the first day of Autumn which falls on September 22 this year.  After the first day of Autumn the period of daylight will get shorter each day as the earth moves in its rotation around the Sun.

"Solstice" is derived from two Latin words: "sol" meaning sun, and "sistere" meaning to cause to stand still.  This is because, as the summer solstice approaches, the noonday sun rises higher and higher in the sky on each successive day.  On the day of the solstice, it rises an imperceptible amount compared to the day before.  In this sense, it "stands still."

People around the world have observed spiritual and religious seasonal days of celebration during the month of June. Most have been religious holy days which are linked in some way to the Summer Solstice.  Some of these  Summer Solstice celebrations are: Alban Heflin, Alben Heruin, All-couples day, Feast of Epona, Feast of St. John the Baptist, Feill-Sheathain, Gathering Day, Johannistag, Litha, Midsummer, Sonnwend, Thing-Tide and Vestailia just to name a few.   

And of course, there are many different forms of celebration of the Summer Solstice that have no religious connection at all.   These range from art festivals, parades, concerts and all kinds of parties.  Some of these parties involve quite a bit of nakedness.  There is a famous celebration at Stonehenge in England that brings thousands of visitors each year.  This is the only time that visitors are allowed to park for free, get free access to the monument and spend the whole night at Stonehenge.

We are happy to see the sun in the sky for so long these days.  We'd like to wish everyone a very wonderful first day of Summer and leave you with a little "mom-like" list of things to do to stay happy, healthy and safe:

1. Wear sunscreen

2. Wear your seatbelt

3. Wear clean underwear if you are going out

4. Drink lots of water

5. Don't smoke

6. Be kind to one another

7. Tell the people you love that you love them every chance you get

 

Spring has arrived!

March 20 is the first day of spring this year.  The first day of spring is also known as the vernal equinox.  On the first day of spring, the sun's light is directly over the equator.  There are an equal number of hours of daylight and darkness.  The number of hours of daylight will increase every day until the first day of summer which will be June 21 this year.  The first day of summer is the longest day of the year.  As summer progresses to fall, the days become shorter as the sun moves farther away from the equator.

We are happy about the new season and hope yours is filled with all kinds of good things.  We'd also like to take this opportunity to remind you to be healthy and safe: wear sunscreen, drink plenty of water and be sure to take the time to stop and smell the flowers.

Happy first day of spring!