We’ve reached the balance point in the year. The opposite of the winter solstice‘s shortest day of the year, we’ve arrived at the longest day: summer solstice. The summer solstice has been an important day for cultures throughout history as we recognize the turning of the seasons once again. Let’s look at a few fun facts about the summer solstice, its history, and fun things you can do in Western North Carolina this summer.
The Science Behind the Summer Solstice
There is science behind the spiritual meaning we’ve assigned to the Summer Solstice. We can marvel at how the sun continues its cycle year in and year out for millennia, but science has actually mapped out the sun’s journey. It’s considered the official start of summer, though that is a little bit inaccurate. As the longest day of the year, it marks the season’s mid-point. In the northern hemisphere, the summer solstice will occur at precisely 5:13 a.m. on Tuesday, June 21st. The shift is subtle, with the daylight hours being only one minute longer tomorrow than they are today.
History and Ritual
Even though we have a greater understanding of science than our ancestors, we can still feel deeply connected to the traditions and rituals of celebrating the summer solstice. Cultures all across the northern hemisphere marked the day with celebrations. The ancient stones at Stonehenge measure the exact moment of the summer solstice. In Sweden, when the day is very long, they still hold Midsommar festivals. In ancient Greece, social structures were ignored during the summer solstice, and all citizens were considered equal on that day. Today, many people will hike to the base of Mount Olympus on this day. Austria holds solstice bonfires. Celebrations take place in Mexico, Guatemala, China, and worldwide.
Things to do in West Asheville
Did you know you can celebrate the solstice right here in Western North Carolina? Check out these events!
You can also choose to celebrate the day with friends and family. Host a cookout, safely build a fire in a fire pit, listen to music, and enjoy foods that make you think of the sun. Or you can go for a hike anywhere in our mountains. If you’re ambitious, wake up to greet the sun when it rises.
GoPrime Mortgage in West Asheville would love to hear from you. How do you celebrate summer in Asheville? Contact us to learn more about pre-approval to buy your next home in the area.
