Summer Solstice 2010

Today is the day that marks the start of summer in the northern hemisphere and the start of winter in the southern hemisphere. For our neighbors to the south, there is more dark than light. For us, the sun shines for the longest amount of time than any other part of the year.

For us, beginning tomorrow, the amount of light will begin to decrease each day until the winter solstice begins the journey into spring. Now, we begin the plunge into winter.
The days will be hot, but each day, we will see a little less light each day. Soon we will be waking up in the dark as we start our day. Our evenings will become longer. It's time to start taking Vitamin D.

I don't know if I'm ready for winter, but the promise is there. Time slides beyond our reach. Weather changes. Without the summer solstice, this would not happen. Our journey continues.

At last, Winter Solstice!

The words, "Winter Solstice" evoke, in my mind, the images of cold, blue, dark light, and peaceful. I picture a most romantic scene from Dr. Zhivago in which the horse drawn sleigh is slowly going through the bleak countryside. The snow is thick, heavy and deep. Even though the passengers are cold, there is love and peace in that sleigh.

All right, the photo is one I've used before, and it certainly wasn't taken during the winter solstice, but I needed an image, so just pretend, all right?

This year, the winter solstice happens today, on December 21, 2008. I don't know at what time, but the earth will gently tilt to begin a journey into a new season. Today will be the darkest day of the year. Night light will last longer than day light, and because of this, tomorrow, we begin our journey into the light. Each day, until mid-summer, we will add a bit more daylight to our day. At that point, the earth will again tilt to begin the onset of winter and hibernation.

The day after the winter solstice is my favorite day of the year. Each day, we see more light. Each day holds the promise of the upcoming spring. This year, Decembere 21st is the darkest it will be for a long time. Now, we can look forward to spring, where we, again, see the light.