The sun pauses at the solstice

The steady increasing of the “circle of light” moving north for the past six months has gone as far as it will go. Arriving at its northernmost angle this week, it will be completing its mission of awakening and fulfilling a new season.

This work finished, the sun will appear to pause motionless for a short time as if pondering what could have been forgotten. Maybe offering a solar shrug or two before it resumes its mission of re-inspiring the struggling myriad life forms south of the equator with its generous gifting of renewed life and vigor.

We know these momentous events now taking place translate as the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. It begins in spring and ends in summer.

Much of our awareness of the earth’s moving seasons finds its foundation within the rituals of ancient Celtic culture. Thousands of modern Druids gather annually to see the solstice sunrise at Stonehenge.

Celtic scribes of ancient days taught that light symbolizes growth, pregnancy and expansion, that dark is not evil but speaks of resting, meditation and sleep – giving compelling reason to the northernmost populations to celebrate the summer solstice.

This story was originally published June 18, 2016 at 3:33 PM with the headline "The sun pauses at the solstice."