The Summer Solstice
The summer solstice occurs in 2009 on Saturday, June 20, at 10:46pm PDT; 05:46 UT 6/21, when the Sun enters Cancer.
You know it's summer because the Sun reaches its farthest point north for the year. It is at its highest in the sky at local noon and the solstice shadows are very short. Click Shadows Vanish in India to see how latitude affects these shadows (scroll half way down the link).
The higher the Sun rises in the heavens the more distance it has to travel from one horizon to the other and hence, the longer daylight. This is the longest day of the year, or so they say!
Hmmm ... 2009 has 7 longest days (14hrs./47mins.) in San Francisco. How many are there in your area? Check it out for yourself ... Sun Data /One Year Table See The Winter Solstice to learn why this is.
The
Sun's Seasonal Path
Image: TheSky Astronomy Software
The Sun's path is shown after sunrise during the solstices and equinoxes. When the solstice Sun appears farthest north, it marks the beginning of summer. After the summer solstice the Sun begins its journey southward and the days start getting shorter.
High Sun ~ Low Moon
When the solstice Sun swings high, the Moon around the Solstice swings low to the south. Compare the summer solstice paths of the Sun and Moon.
In 2005 and 2006 we had two extreme low "solstice" Moons at declinations of –27º to –28°+. These extreme southern positions were due to the lunar standstill season that occurs every 18.6–19 years. See Moon Swings ~ Highs and Lows to learn more.
In Britain this is traditionally known as "midsummer." In the southern hemisphere the Sun is at its lowest, casting long shadows and it is the shortest day of the year, the winter solstice. This is the darkest day of the year for the South Pole, which has already had three months without the Sun and expects three more! This is the brightest day at the North Pole with the Sun at its highest all day long! This land of the "Midnight Sun" is in full sunlight (except for clouds) during the entire summer and this solstice marks high noon in its 6-month day! These different seasons are the result of Earth's tilt, together with its orbit around the Sun.
Here are a few more solstice goodies from Bob Berman at Astronomy Magazine.
The word solstice comes from the two Latin words "sun" and "stoppage." Makes sense: The Sun stops moving north that day.
The June solstice Sun hovers straight over the Tropic of Cancer, just south of Key West, Florida.
The summer solstice is when the Sun reaches its highest point of the year, but it's getting less high over time. That's because Earth's tilt is decreasing.
The solstice is when the Sun is lowest in the sky for those at the equator.
In India, the summer solstice marks the end of a 6-month period when spiritual growth is supposedly easiest. Too bad, you blew it.
On the summer solstice, the Sun rises farthest left on the horizon and sets at its rightmost possible spot. Sunlight strikes places in rooms that get illuminated at no other time.
In ancient Greece, the solstitial Sun happened in Cancer [the constellation]. But it moved into Gemini around the time of Christ. In 1989, it shifted into Taurus, where it will remain until the fifth millennium
Thanks Bob and Astronomy Magazine!
Day
Star Day!
A Celebration of the Summer Solstice and the Star We Call Our Sun
Image: The Sky Astronomy Software
Every year near the summer solstice, Star Gazer asks everyone to celebrate the rising of our local day star, the Sun, because most people never truly experience a sunrise. You are encouraged to get up before twilight begins, to observe the effects of sunrise on everything all around you. Create your own official Day Star Day!
Participate in This Unique Celebration!
Get
up about
15 minutes before sunrise,
while it's still dark outside.
It's not the Sun itself that you are going to observe but the effects of sunrise on everything around you as night slowly turns into day. It is better to be outside but if not just sit by an open window.
Now for the rules, which are absolutely essential: no radio, no television, no doing your normal wake up routine. All distractions must be eliminated. Simply sit quietly inside or outside and when you see the skies slowly start to brighten, look, listen and feel what happens all around you. Watch the delicate interplay of light, color and shadow. Listen to the different sounds of our world and its creatures waking up. Feel the wind change, the temperature change, and much, much more as night slowly slips into day.
Keep track of all the subtle changes you notice and record your observations on paper or into a tape recorder. And then read or listen to your observations a few days later ... if you've never done this before, you're in for a pleasant surprise ... experiencing the effects of a sunrise using all of your senses and your full attention is one of the most wonderful experiences this planet has to offer ... you'll be amazed at what a star rise over a small planet can do for you. Star Gazer
The spiritual significance of the Summer Solstice
Global
Meditations ~ Summer Solstice
Live
H20 Concert for the Living Waters
Friday-Sunday, June 19-21, 2009
This
concert/meditation, inspired by
Dr. Masuro Emoto and Dr. Len Horowitz,
unites millions around the world in giving
LOVE and THANKS to the LIVING WATERS of Earth.
The 7-foot, crystal inlaid Grandmother
Drum sets
the tone of LOVE's resonant frequency (528 hertz),
joined by renowned performing artists from 9 global
stages and hundreds of other hosts sites worldwide.
The event culminates June 21 as all unite in
music, prayer, drumming and song, setting
a new global pulse of love, prosperity, unity and
peace for all life. Join online and on the inner planes.
Peace
in the Water Day
Solstice Sunday, June 21, 2009
This
global meditation and prayer event
marks NEW EARTH CREATIONS’ fourth
annual World Unified Prayer for Cetaceans
(Whales and Dolphins) and the launch of
PEACE in the WATER -- an ongoing
global creative initiative on behalf
of our planet’s precious
waterways and the ancient,
magnificent life forms within.
Global
Solstice Meditation
For the Oceans and the Cetaceans
Solstice Sunday, June 21, 2009
Anytime
This
is a beautiful meditation that
includes stunning pictures,
inspirational words and
18 minutes of wonderful music.
Anyone who participates will be
sending as well as receiving a healing!
Peace
for the Oceans
More about this solstice meditation
Marine
Animal Meditation Music by Kauwila
The
Jerusalem Hug Project
Solstice Sunday, June 21, 2009
Thousands
of people, of various religious and
ethnic communities, will participate in
several
events, as well as share a massive
hug around the old city of Jerusalem.
"If you can't be there in your body you can
be there with us in your heart and mind."
Offer your personal blessings of love
to the Holy City, the Heart of the World,
with the awareness of our Human Unity.
The first Big Hug occurred May 21, 2007.
World
Peace and Prayer Day
Summer Solstice
Sunday,
June 21, 2009
This
is an annual gathering of all nations and all faiths
joining hearts in prayer for world peace and global
healing. You are invited to gather at sacred sites
across the world, and make a great circle of prayer for
world peace and the healing of Mother Earth.
Chief Arvol Looking Horse, spiritual leader of the
Lakota people and the 19th generation keeper of the
Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe, received the vision
for this day and performs ceremony each year
with the indigenous people of North Amercia.
Ceremony
Suggestions
People who practice non-traditional spirituality,
can use these suggestions during the ceremony.
Worldwide
Didgeridoo Meditation
Summer
Solstice
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Sunset your time
This
meditation is a worldwide link-up of people
supporting environmental and personal awareness.
It is held on the equinoxes and solstices.
Starting at sunset participants are asked to play or
listen to meditative music (preferably didgeridoos)
for 45 minutes and then to sit silently for 15 minutes.
Candle
Night Summer Solstice 2009
Sunday, June 21 2009
8:00pm-10:00pm Your Time
A “Candle
Night” can increase one's ability to
be still and know, therefore it is included
in this list of global meditations.
Spend an evening by candle light and
take a break from the everyday
hectic pace of life. Turn off lights;
light a candle; make Divine contact.
This biannual solstice event held since
2003, was originally initiated by
several of Japan's environmental non-
governmental organizations. Candle Night
is spreading from Japan to the world.
Lots of ideas about how to enjoy this evening
is included on the Candle Night website.
Current and Ongoing Global Meditations
I'd
like to know your thoughts about The Night Sky and
if you'd like reminders to Look Up! ...
send me an email.
May your Night Sky traveling always be filled
with Celestial Delights and Treats!
Susan Sun
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