Happy Solstice!!
Happy Solstice to One & All!!
The word solstice comes from the Latin sol meaning “sun” and the Latin root sistere meaning “to stand still.”
Why solstice?? Because the sun stands still in declination; that is, the apparent movement of the Sun’s path north or south comes to a stop before reversing direction.
Normally we use the terms summer and winter solstice; but that is not entirely correct since when the northern hemisphere is undergoing summer solstice then the southern hemisphere is undergoing winter solstice, and vice versa. For that reason, some simply use the terms June solstice and December solstice.
The solstice days are also the longest and shortest days of the year.
In some areas, the solstice marks the start of a new season, either summer or winter. This is true in most temperate zones. However in tropical areas like India that have six or more seasons a year – not just four – then the solstice often falls in the middle of a particular season.
Wherever you are – happy solstice day to you – may it be the start of bright new beginnings!!