Chapter 1: The Significance of the Solstice

Today marks June 21, the date of the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. This day carries different meanings across cultures and has been recognized for thousands of years. The solstice officially occurred at 12:24 a.m. U.S. Eastern Daylight Time, or 04:24 UTC. While it is often referred to as the longest day of the year, I acknowledge that it is not literally the longest day in the world.

Today has been a mix of sunshine and rain here on Florida’s West Coast. After a dry winter, we are experiencing more precipitation, with sporadic sunny intervals. As I gaze out from my boat, raindrops dot the glass, creating a unique view of the sunlight filtering through. Thankfully, we are far from the impacts of Tropical Storm Cindy, which is currently affecting areas further west along the Gulf Coast.

In the United States, the summer solstice signifies the official start of summer, although in other cultures it represents mid-summer, as seen in the term "Midsummer Night," which can fall between June 20 and 24. Indeed, this day marks the peak of daylight, as the sun reaches its highest point over the Tropic of Cancer, and from here, the days will gradually shorten, leading us back toward winter.

Last year on this day, I found myself in Alaska, where the phenomenon of perpetual daylight exists. Below the Arctic Circle, the sun would dip just below the horizon around midnight, only to rise again shortly after. Above the Arctic Circle, the sun remains visible throughout the night, creating what is known as the Land of the Midnight Sun.

My thoughts today drift to my father, especially since Father’s Day was just celebrated in the U.S. While I regard that day as somewhat commercialized, it is the solstice that brings back memories of him. June 21 is not only the day of the summer solstice but also my father's birthday. As a child, I was told it was the longest day of the year, and I would proudly announce, "It’s the longest day in the world!" to anyone who would listen.

As I reflect on my father, who has been gone for nearly 48 years, I think back to his birth on June 21, 1913—104 years ago. Even if he had lived longer than his 56 years, it’s challenging to imagine him still here today. Interestingly, I learned that the longest day in Earth's history may actually have been June 21, 1912. My father was born just a year later, a day that could be considered the second or third longest in history.

I ponder what life was like for my grandparents on that day in Jersey City, New Jersey. Did they know it was the solstice? I suspect they were likely focused on the birth of their son rather than the astronomical significance of the day. This leads me to consider how much knowledge has been lost over time and how little we may understand today compared to past generations.

I’ll remember my father again on July 27, the anniversary of his passing, at which point our summer will already be half over. The solstices and equinoxes serve as markers in my life, helping me track the passage of days, seasons, and years. They punctuate the flow of time, allowing me to appreciate the rhythms of life and nature. Without these moments of reflection, I feel adrift, as if pulled along by an unstoppable current.

Enjoy this song I discovered today, which resonates with the themes of time and nature, and cherish the moments life presents us.

Originally published at http://www.fjy.us on June 21, 2019.