Day 259 of 365 - Summer Solstice 2019

Summer Solstice occurs at 11:54 a.m. EST on June 21st this year.  That is when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer.  This is the peak day of sunlight in the Northern Hemisphere.  Where I live, we will have 15 or so hours of sunlight.  It's our longest daylight of the year and after this declines a bit each day.  Our summer has 'officially' arrived!

Traditional celebrations of Summer Solstice happen in places like Stonehenge, in England, where crowds gather to see the beam of sunlight strike the center altar at the moment of solstice.  In Sweden it is traditional to eat the first strawberries of the season at Summer Solstice.  The June full moon we just had earlier this week is called the Full Strawberry Moon and coincides usually with the ripening of strawberries.  Near the summer solstice day, Midsummer's Day also occurs.  It represents the halfway point of the growing season for farmers.

Astrologically, the Sun moves into the sign of Cancer, which has the symbol of the Crab and the element of Water.  The major strengths of this sign are intuition, emotional intelligence and a strong connection to feelings and emotions.  It is nurturing, vulnerable, sentimental and desires simplicity, security and connection.  As such, this sign seems to support our move into summer, with our increased tendency to socialize, connect with others, have lazier days and maybe even kindle or rekindle a romance.

It's the time when parents are geared up with a line up of summer activities for kids.  High school students will be starting summer jobs and those heading off to college or university after summer will be busy finalizing their plans.

For older adults, it's also a time of spending more time comfortably out of doors, where we can pursue activities like walking, hiking, swimming and boating.  Those who love gardening are in their glory at this time of year, nurturing their plants along.  The rest of us enjoy the summer blooms and anticipate the fruit and vegetable harvest.

This seasonal change usually brings a shift in eating habits too, with more grill cooking and a greater variety of salads and produce to be enjoyed.  It will be time for me to start looking at recipes again for the shift into less warming foods.  I'll finally stop making my weekly soup until the weather cools again.

Wherever you are, enjoy this turning of the seasons.  Plan to do more of what you enjoy, whatever enhances your vitality and makes you feel more energized and alive.  The season here is short, so let's make the most of it.  Happy Summer Solstice!

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