Happy Summer Solstice

The 2016 North American summer solstice happens on June 20, 2016 at 6:34 PM EDT. That’s the very moment when the sun stands still at its northernmost point as seen from Earth.

It waits for a brief second at the Tropic of Cancer before switching directions and heading south again. This is where the word solstice comes from; the Latin solstitium, from sol (sun) and stitium (to stop). It’s the day of the year with the most sunlight, the longest of the long summer days. It is the most yang day of the year. 

The summer solstice alone very special and is traditionally celebrated all over the world with festivals, bonfires, singing and dancing to mark the beginning of summer. And this year we also get a the bonus of a beautiful full moon, which hits its peak on the same day. This hasn’t happened in 70 years. 

The June moon was known as the Strawberry Moon to early Native American tribes, which marked the season of strawberries. Step outside on the 20th at moonrise to enjoy the beauty of this year's Strawberry Moon and official beginning of Summer.   

Posted in Seasonal