We would like to look into how Summer Solstice has been embraced in past years. The Latin word for the sun is Sol and the ‘stice’ means to stand still. So from the name we can conclude that the sun stands still when it reaches its highest point in the sky. This moment has been celebrated by different cultures for a very long time, and the people of those ancient times had rituals and traditions, recognizing that this hour of this day signals both Stillness and Change… and… it tells us that the natural world is governed by cycles. Summer solstice signals to the people the next cycle – the growing season – and that is worth celebrating.
The Stonehenge Monument
What is actually going on? The earth is tilted on its axis toward the sun and the sun is tracing its highest path across the sky. This reality has astounded human beings for a long, long time. We went to the Eugene Parks Foundation [LINK] for information a famous monument to the Summer Solstice… Stonehenge.
“One of the most iconic monuments associated with the summer solstice is Stonehenge in England. This prehistoric structure, believed to be over 4,000 years old, is aligned with the solstitial sunrise. Each year, thousands of people gather at Stonehenge to witness the sunrise, as the sun’s rays line up perfectly with the Heel Stone and the central Altar Stone, creating a breathtaking spectacle. The alignment suggests that the solstice was significant to the builders of Stonehenge. The reason behind the significance remains unknown, but it could be related to agricultural practices, religious beliefs, or social structures of the ancient civilization.”
Stonehenge captures the sunrise and it does so every solstice. But Stonehenge isn’t the only ancient celebration of the arrival of Summer. In ancient Egypt the solstice coincided with the annual flooding of the Nile. The aforementioned article tells us the following: “The flooding of the Nile was seen as a divine gift, replenishing the land and ensuring the survival of their civilization. Celebrations included offerings to the gods and rituals to honor the life-giving waters.”
The Maya and Aztec civilizations also celebrated the solstice in a profound way. The pyramids were constructed in alignment with the Summer and Winter Solstices as well as the Spring and Fall Equinoxes. Quoting from the article as follows: “The pyramid at Chichen Itza in Mexico, for instance, was designed to produce a serpent-like shadow during the summer solstice, symbolizing the descent of the feathered serpent god, Kukulkan. These events were celebrated with feasts, dances, and ceremonies to ensure agricultural fertility and cosmic harmony.”
How Do We Celebrate?
For those of us living our lives in cities, the Solstice is simply enjoyed as a long day of sunlight and the beginning of Summer. While we don’t have a contemporary celebration, some Native American communities do. “Many Native American tribes have rich traditions surrounding the summer solstice. The Sioux hold the Sun Dance, a ceremonial gathering that involves dancing, singing, and prayers to honor the sun and to seek spiritual renewal. This event is a time for communal bonding and reaffirming connections to the land and the cosmos.”
Let’s conclude with one more beautiful thought… the Midnight Sun! Imagine enjoying sunlight all night long! “In Alaska, the summer solstice is celebrated with a midnight baseball game called the Midnight Sun Game. The game starts at 10:00 pm and goes well into the next morning, without the need for any artificial light. The Midnight Sun Game has been played since 1906!”
Happy Summer AMS
Wishing all of our AMS employees, clients and friends a Very Happy Summer! Here we go! It’s the growing season, and our gardens are ready to enjoy. It’s also the season for outdoor fun, trips to the lake or river, hikes in the parks, baseball games with the kids… Summer is here!! Enjoy!!
