Dwain Northey (Gen X)

I know I’m off a day, but I thought this was a subject that I would talk about.

The solstice is an astronomical event that occurs twice a year, marking the moments when the sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon, relative to the celestial equator. The summer solstice, around June 21 in the Northern Hemisphere, is the longest day of the year, while the winter solstice, around December 21, is the shortest. These events are caused by the tilt of Earth’s axis, which remains constant as the planet orbits the sun.

Historically, solstices held deep cultural and spiritual significance for many civilizations. Ancient societies, such as the Egyptians, Mayans, and Druids, closely observed the solstices to develop agricultural calendars and time religious festivals. Monuments like Stonehenge in England and the Temple of the Sun in Peru are aligned with the solstice sunrise or sunset, demonstrating the importance of the sun’s cycle in early belief systems. For agrarian cultures, knowing the timing of the solstices helped predict seasonal changes, crucial for planting and harvesting. Rituals, festivals, and myths developed around these solar events, often symbolizing renewal, fertility, or the triumph of light over darkness. Even today, solstices are celebrated in various parts of the world, blending ancient traditions with modern cultural observances.