Happy Summer Solstice!

by Belinda Munoz on June 20, 2012

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I can feel it. It’s gonna be a looooong day. ‘Tis true. After all, today is the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere.

If I may be alliteratively optimistic, there will be a solar splash of a stellar scale. I predict a day steeped in smiles and the sweet scents of sunshine. Today will be a day of saffron-stained sunrise and a sunset suffused with streaks of scarlet and silver. I could simply sit and stare at it all — satisfied in splendid silence.

I could. Except, I’ve been digging deep into my archives of cobwebbed memories. I am somewhat surprised that I can’t recall ever having celebrated this day.

How have I been indifferent to this special day, the very first day of summer? Have I allowed myself to take these days for granted? Have I unknowingly slipped into a ripple-less pool of humdrum existence? Has my fun side been hijacked by science-dismissing climate-deniers?

Well, no more of that. While I can’t deny that our ever-warming globe is no reason to smile about (on top of a whole array of very real concerns that wipe those smiles away), I don’t have to deny myself of the simple joys of being lucky enough to enjoy another summer solstice. I can think of a few ways to celebrate this and what I hope to be many more summer solstices from here on out:

+ songs, storytelling, warm company, a tall glass of iced tea
+ a scoop of ice cream melting into a waffle cone (dripless!)
+ sitting on a beach watching the waves, the sky, the birds and losing track of time
+ time at the playground with little ones, not just watching them but playing with them
+ a picnic, a book, a nap (not necessarily in that order) under the hot sun
+ camping, watching the fire, roasting marshmallows, eating s’mores
+ a dip in warm ocean water (with or without dolphins)
+ a hike on a scenic trail, with a friend or a dog
+ grilling with friends (or strangers) if only to smell that barbecue smell
+ a carnival ride that may or may not involve speed or heights or spinning
+ doing nothing other than appreciating having the choice to opt in or out

To learn how various cultures observed summer solstice in times past, go here.

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Do you celebrate or observe summer solstice?
If so, how?
If not, why not?

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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

1 One Love Around the World: Janny T. June 20, 2012 at 9:21 am

I have observed it since I was about 14 and I enjoyed this post very much! Thank you Belinda

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2 ayala June 20, 2012 at 4:33 pm

Happy summer solstice, Belinda 🙂

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3 Patty/Why Not Start Now? June 20, 2012 at 5:01 pm

Hi Belinda! I love this day too. This year I decided it’s the perfect day to end my blogging hiatus.

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4 Sara June 21, 2012 at 9:47 am

Ah, while I didn’t remember it was the summer solstice, I did celebrate it by sitting outside on my porch. At this time of year, we don’t get too many days where it’s comfortable enough to be outside, but it was yesterday. I watched the birds eat at my feeders and the hummingbirds chase each other around the butterfly plant and the wind toss the tree leaves in sun-sparkled light. It’s good to be home.

Happy belated summer solstice, Belinda:~) BTW I loved this paragraph:

“I predict a day steeped in smiles and the sweet scents of sunshine. Today will be a day of saffron-stained sunrise and a sunset suffused with streaks of scarlet and silver. I could simply sit and stare at it all — satisfied in splendid silence.”

I’m ever so glad, I’ve conquered my childhood lisp over the “s” sound. I read this paragraph aloud over and over again with joy!

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5 Giulietta Nardone June 26, 2012 at 6:58 am

Hi Belinda,

So cool to see the lightness go into evening, even if it then gets shorter and shorter.

I went on my daily walk as I usually do and then one during the evening w/Jimmy. It’s a cherished time when I get disconnected to technology and connected to my own ideas for stories, op-eds, books, etc.

Sometimes I wonder where this rush to embrace more and more technology is leading us. Thanks! G.

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6 Rudri Bhatt Patel @ Being Rudri July 2, 2012 at 10:12 am

Belinda: In the past, I haven’t really paid much attention to the summer or winter solstice. However, as I’ve gotten older, I am hyper aware of the passage of time. Your post has inpsired me to establish some new rituals to commemorate the summer solstice.

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