JUNE SOLSTICE
A Solstice is an astronomical event that occurs twice each year as the Sun reaches its highest or lowest point relative to the celestial equator on the celestial sphere. The term solstice comes from the Latin words 'sol' (sun) and 'sistere' (to stand still).
Some believe that different seasons are a result of the change in distance from the Earth to the Sun. It is actually due to a 23-degree tilt of the Earth's axis that in which the Sun appears above the horizon for different lengths of time that cause the different seasons. The tilt determines whether the Sun's rays strike at a low angle or a more direct angle. On the solstice, the Sun has reached its highest or lowest height in the sky above the horizon at local solar noon. The seasonal movement of the Sun's path (as seen from Earth) comes to a stop on the solstice before reversing direction.
The event occurs in the Summer (known as the Summer Solstice, Aestival Solstice or Mid-Summer Solstice) and the winter (known as the Winter Solstice, Hibernal Solstice, or the Mid-Winter Solstice). The summer solstice is the time of the year when the sun stops its northern climb, holds briefly, and starts turning back toward the equator. The Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year. On June 21st and June 22nd, The Northern hemisphere will have their most hours of daylight but the Southern Hemisphere will have their fewest. Starting around March 21st, there are more hours of daylight then darkness in the Northern Hemisphere, and the opposite in the Southern. Starting around September 24th, there are more hours of darkness than daylight in the Northern Hemisphere, and the opposite in the Southern. After June 21st, the days will gradually grow shorter until December 20th (the winter solstice) in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere the days will get longer after June 21st until December 20th (the Summer Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere).
The Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, and the Winter Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere are also collectively known as the Northern Solstice or the June Solstice. The Summer Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, and the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere are also collectively known as the Southern Solstice, or the December Solstice. To avoid confusion, the terms June Solstice and December Solstice will be used going forward.
The June Solstice is usually on June 21st, but is usually on June 20th on leap years (2016,2020, ect..).
CELEBRATIONS CLOSELY RELATED TO THE JUNE SOLSTICE
The June Solstice is also known as the Start of Summer in the Northern Hemisphere, the day of the year with the longest hours of daylight in the northern hemisphere and the shortest in the southern hemisphere, also known as Finally Summer Day in the Northern Hemisphere In the United Kingdom, Midsummer Day is held on June 24th
In Christianity, St. John's Eve and St. John Day, also known as the Feast Day of St John the Baptist, is on June 23rd to June 24th
In Paganism, Kupala Night celebration relates to the summer solstice when nights are the shortest and includes a number of fascinating Pagan rituals. The celebration precedes Christianity
Among NeoPagans, Litha is observed on the Midsummer
Ivan Kupala Day Is a combination day celebrating the observances of Kupala and Ivan (John) the Baptist. It celebrated in Ukraine
Belarus
Poland
and Russia
Among the Aymara natives in South America, the celebration of the New Year is on the June Solstice, the Machupeche celebrate their new year (We Tripantu) a few days later on June 24th.
The largest Ancient ritual that is currently held in celebration of the June Solstice is at Stonehenge, Scotland
On the solstice, the massive stones align perfectly with the rising sun. The New Age Druids worship nature and the life and power that it provides. They perform rituals, feast, and dance until the sun rises to welcome the new season.
Inti Raymi, is a June (winter) solstice festival and a New Year in the Andes of the Southern Hemisphere (Sacsayhuamán) We Tripantu, is also a June (winter) solstice festival in the southern hemisphere (Mapuche in southern Chile)