11 FACTS About Summer Solstice by L. Schwalm…….

11 FACTS you may not know about the June Summer Solstice 

by L. Schwalm and  http://belsebuub.com/articles/the-spiritual-meaning-of-the-summer-solstice

The summer solstice is a time to celebrate the light of consciousness within ourselves and within each and every person, and to reflect upon the potential for consciousness to awaken.

The progress of the sun throughout the year symbolizes the process of attaining enlightenment, and the summer solstice is the final climax of this journey as the day of most light in the year. It symbolizes the ascension found in many great spiritual teachings. At the spring equinox, the resurrection and return of the Son/sun to the Mother goddess is celebrated.

Summer Solstice is a time of letting go what no longer serves us. It supports ones highest good and stagnates ones spiritual evolution, as it is a time of celebrating the new. Summer Solstice has been celebrated for thousands of years. The Maya, Druids, ancient Egyptians, Essenes, Romans, and many others have all aligned their sacred sites to the summer solstice and conducted ceremonies on this day.

11 Facts About Summer Solstice

1. In most time zones in the Northern Hemisphere, June 21, 2015, will be the longest day of the year. It’s both the Summer & Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, where it is the longest day of the year in terms of daylight. The June Solstice is also called the Summer Solstice. In the Southern Hemisphere, on the other hand, it is the shortest day of the year and is known as the Winter Solstice.

2. The June Solstice is the first solstice of the year.

Solstices happen twice a year, in June and December. The June Solstice happens around June 21st, when the Sun is directly overhead the Tropic of Cancer. The December Solstice takes place around December 21st. On this day, the Sun is precisely over the Tropic of Capricorn.

3. The sun seems to stand still.

Solstice comes from the Latin words sol, meaning ‘Sun’ and sistere, meaning ‘to come to a stop or stand still’. On the day of the June Solstice, the Sun reaches its northern-most position, as seen from the Earth. At that moment it does not move north or south as it does every other day of the year, but it stands still at the Tropic of Cancer. It then reverses its direction and starts moving south again.

The opposite happens during the December Solstice. Then, the sun reaches its southern-most position in the sky, the Tropic of Capricorn, stands still, and then reverses its direction towards the north.

4. The June Solstice is the exact instant of time when the sun is directly overhead the Tropic of Cancer.

5. The June Solstice can happen on June 20th, 21st or 22nd.

Even though most people consider June 21st as the date of the June Solstice, it can happen anytime between June 20th and June 22nd. June 22nd solstices are rare.

6. The June Solstice is the first day of summer.

Astronomers and scientists use the date of the June Solstice to mark the beginning of summer in the northern hemisphere and winter in the southern hemisphere.

7. The earth is furthest from the sun during the June Solstice.

One might think that since it is summer in the Northern Hemisphere, the Earth is closest to the Sun during the June Solstice. But it’s the opposite, the Earth is actually furthest from the Sun during this time of the year. In fact, the Earth will be on its Aphelion a few weeks after the June Solstice.

8. The earliest sunrise of the year doesn’t happen on the day of the June Solstice.

Even though the June Solstice is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, most places do not see the earliest sunrise of the year on this day. The earliest sunrise happens a few days before, and the latest sunset takes place a few days after the June Solstice.

In the Southern Hemisphere, where this day marks the Winter Solstice, the earliest sunset happens a few days before the solstice, and the latest sunrise occurs a few days after it. This happens because of minor discrepancies between sundials and clocks.

9. The June Solstice is rarely the hottest day of the year.

In fact, the hottest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere usually comes a few weeks or sometimes months after the solstice. This is because it takes time for the oceans and landmasses to warm up, which again allows for higher air temperatures. This phenomenon is called the delay or lag of the seasons.

10. The Arctic Circle has 24 hours of daylight during the June Solstice.

The June Solstice is the only day of the year when all locations inside the Arctic Circle experience a continuous period of daylight for 24 hours. Due to atmospheric refraction, however, the midnight sun is visible for a few days before and during the June Solstice from areas as far as 60 miles (97 kilometers) south of the Arctic Circle. As one moves further north of the Arctic Circle, the number of days with the midnight sun increase.

11. The June Solstice is celebrated worldwide.

The June Solstice holds a special place of celebration in many cultures. People around the world celebrate the day with feasts, picnics, dance, and music.

The first three paragraphs were taken from http://belsebuub.com/articles/the-spiritual-meaning-of-the-summer-solstice

To read about Laura Schwalm, her services and workshops she offers – go to http://pureenergyhealer.com

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