William Shakespeare: Midsummer Night’s Dream:
“Whatever is dreamed on this night, will come to pass”
Today’s the longest day and shortest night of the year here in the southern hemisphere. I awoke early this morning, didn’t really check the time but it was before 5.00 a.m. and went out onto the bedroom balcony and watched the giant red orb rising and breaking through the mists on the horizon over the sea. It was truly lovely and awe-inspiring. I thought of taking a photograph with my cell phone but it was only a thought. I wish I had. I was aware in previous days that the solstice was looming but when on holiday the days seem to run into each other and I lost track of dates. It was only while out walking today that it struck me that today is the day that the sun is at it’s highest position in the sky as seen from the south pole.
‘Solstice’ is derived from the Latin sol:sun; sistere:to stand still.
For those of you in the northern hemisphere it will be the longest night, and shortest day. Something to look forward to as tomorrow dawns! I love the winter solstice on June 21st in South Africa – and while it is a harbinger of the sun getting stronger, I acknowledge the darkest and longest night of the year and bid it farewell – until next time –
‘In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer’ – Camus
For me, while the change is imperceptible, it is nevertheless real. From now on, the days will be shorter, nights longer. Summer will start to wane. In 3 months’ time the days and nights will be of equal length when the equinoxes occur on March 21-22; and here in South Africa we march towards winter.
So, the seasons are changing. So too are the times, they are a’changing.
While summer is upon us here in South Africa and we are holidaying in Plettenberg Bay, I plan to enjoy and celebrate these days as much as possible. My brother is here from Durban, my son Mike lives here in Plettenberg Bay, and my younger son David will arrive this afternoon from Cape Town.
May you all have a blessed Christmas and festive season. Embrace the solstice and its harbingers of change. Whatever lingers from the previous season needs attention. May the New Year bring renewed optimism, individually and collectively.
27 Comments on The Summer Solstice
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Thank you so much M.J. for coming by. I was in Arizona last year towards end March – such beautiful landscapes. Here in South Africa, although the days are really hot and will be hotter in February, I can feel the coolth in the evenings.
Happy lengthening days to you – and have a great weekend! 🙂
It’s so intriguing to watch the days grow shorter here, and then that long darkest day – December 21, lit up by the lights of the season. In almost an instant, the sunny days grow longer again. The holiday lights get taken down and put away. The garden starts sprouting, as the few rains of January and February nurture and encourage its growth and renewal. I’m always awed that even a place as sunny and bright as Arizona gets bathed in so much darkness during winter. Makes for beautiful sunrises and sunsets, as well as thought provoking reflections – some meant to share, others kept safe in the heart. Happy Summer to you, Susan 🙂
Lovely image of the darkest night being lit up by lights! Thank you for coming by M.J.
Your days are lengthening – ours are getting shorter and while the summer days are really hot, I can feel the coolth creeping in in the evenings.
Happy weekend! 🙂
Love this, Susan. There has always been something magical about the Summer Solstice, which is why I’ve used the name for two of my Abys.
Lovely cat names T.J. – and thank you for coming by!
I can see the landscape, the sea and Sun… in the wonderful way you write. It’s as if I’m standing there too. A beautiful post as always, Susan, thank you for sharing it. Happy Christmas, and many Blessings! x
Thank you so much Sharon, I so appreciate your kind words!
Happy Christmas to you too Sharon and may many blessings come their way to you.
Hi Susan – those South African days … Jo’burg is boiling I gather! So lucky you at the coast … here we have gales – and more later in the week, when it’s going to get cold .. I don’t call it cold – remembering those freezing winters, houses without central heating etc etc ..
Saturday was a glorious last day of the solstice … then gloom set in … no doubt the sun will materialise again!! I’m just glad our day is 1.5 minutes longer today – not sure exactly how much .. but will become more so soon ..
Have a glorious time with your brother, sons and family and friends .. happy times – cheers Hilary
Hi Hilary, lovely of you to come by thank you! In spite of the cold and gloom! Already your days are longer. May your log fires be bright, your table colourful and gracious, your smile and good cheer brighten up all you come into contact with, whether close by or over the airwaves. Always you bring a smile to my face with your lovely posts and for this I thank you.
You too have a glorious and festive time …
As the sun smiles on you, it has disappeared from our view here in the northern part of the northern hemisphere. Fortunately, the sun graced us with his presence for a while today. Soon it will be the end of 2014 and 2015 will join us. As the winter solstice suggests a NEW BEGINNING is near as the days slowly become longer.
May your Christmas be blessed with family and friends!! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
New beginnings Gwynn! As 2014 melds into 2015 may the sun continue to peek out from behind the clouds and shine on you all.
Merry Christmas to you Gwynn and family … and a Happy New Year!
Susan- ‘an invincible summer’ is a phrase I shall remember as we slog through January and February, knowing it is but slumbered hibernation and we will awaken again. I love winter solstice because it is an annual beginning for those of us who thrive under brightest sun!
Merry Christmas to you and your family; may your time together fill you with love and laughter.
Thank you Sammy d! How lovely to think that the sun will slowly shine brighter in the northern hemisphere! Lovely to have the dark and cold but o my how wondrous to awaken again as you say – paraphrasing on my side!
Love and laughter to you all – over this festive season and for all time!
You have gathered a beautiful assortment of quotes, video and geographical data. How interesting to muse that your daily rhythms are different from mine because of our location in different hemispheres.
Have a blessed holiday season with your loved ones!
Thanks so much Marian .. yes, your days will be getting longer from now on … I see that Hilary in a comment i have yet to respond to has noted exactly how the UK days are already longer!
And a blessed festive season to you and your loved ones! Thank you for your good wishes!
Times are definitely a-changin’, Bob Dylan had it right. I love the Camus quote above, and such a nice post about all that is really important, the internal light and goodness in us all.
Happy holidays to you, Susan.
Thanks so much Silvia! It is a lovely quote isn’t it – something truly hopeful about it. HAppy Holidays to you and family and a wonderful 2015!
Dear Susan,
Great reminder of what all humanity senses….transformation…miracle…an inconceivable creation that existed from the first day as in The Bible. Your feelings at 5.00 a.m. in Plett watching the giant orb rising is a religious SUNRISE SERVICE while enjoying the immense waters of the ocean that God has created. Awesome!
Thank you Joseph very much for coming by! Transformation, step by step … seeing creation made manifest is such a joy! There is so much to be grateful for …
Susan, enjoyed this post as I generally do all your posts…loved the bit about the invincible summer…great reminder! Much love to you and so happy you are in my life. Om!
Thank you dear Mira! I too am so happy you are in my life! Om! Peace, Namaste dear friend.
Thank you Sissy for making me aware of this longest day and shortest night. Lovely reading. Pam, I am enjoying this song by Peter Mayer, – it’s beautiful
Pleasure dear Debora – the song is lovely isn’t it!
Happy Christmas to you and yours Susan and from me to Plet! Ahh lucky you. Go for a walk on Robberg for me? I wish you a pansy shell.
Thank you Philippa and a very happy Christmas to you! I’ve been doing a lot of walking lately, especially as I clutched my son’s car en route to George airport to fetch my brother from Durban the other day… it’s in for a new clutch and will be fixed only in a few days hence … so these bones have been walking up hill into town … and back down again.
I took such a beautiful photo this evening of Robberg from the Beacon Island hotel .. o that sky, and the rocks, and the sea!!!
Hi, Susan! I doubt I’ll remember to share this with you next June on your winter solstice, so thought I’d share it with you now…! I love this song by Peter Mayer deeply – and it’s of course my song for today! “Maybe light itself is born on the longest night…” Enjoy your time of light! And blessed Christmas to you! – Pam
The song is lovely Pam thank you so much! The graphics just beautiful and the words … thank you so much for sharing it with us and also for commenting!
May the light be yours, and a blessed Christmas to you!