Summer Solstice

June 21, 2007 brings us the longest day of the year, or perhaps the shortest if you are located in the southern hemisphere.

Here are some fun facts about the solstice that you may, or may not have known.

Summer Solstice 2007 brought in just over 24,000 visitors to Stonehenge to welcome in the sparkling splendor of mankind's life blood. The Sun.

The word Solstice is actually composed of two Latin words: "sol" which means sun, and "sistere" which means to cause to stand still. It is said that the ancient ones would watch the sun rise higher, and higher every day, just until it wouldn't rise any higher, and has met its solstice. The sun just seemed to freeze there.

2007 marks the last year of the Summer Solstice landing on June 21. Beginning in 2008 it will fall on June 20.

It is the 'longest' day of the year. No, we don't just magically get another 3 or 4 hours to play with. By 'longest' it is meaning to have the 'most day light'. What we wish to do with that extra daylight is, of course, naturally up to us. Don't forget to slip, slop, and slap that sunscreen on, because today is gonna be a whopper. We are talking almost 15 hours of sunlight thanks to the almighty sun gods.

If you are pagan, a black cloak harnessing druid, or just a lover of black. You might perhaps want to visit Stonehenge. Stonehenge is the place to be for this event. Other modern fiasco's of life might get a kick out of it too. These friendly earth worshippers congregate amongst themselves and welcome in the dawn of the longest day of the year. Many of these self proclaimed pagans consider their pilgrimage to Stone Henge the same as that as a Muslim's trip to Mecca. It would be fun if they swapped places of worship one year.

Its very compelling to note that while the Midsummer's sun rises directly above the rock formations and the rays of light point directly down to the center of the formation. A very magical, and mystical touch indeed. Now all I need is a cauldron, and a broom stick. Thanks.

Christians on the other hand have taken this opportunity to make this day the Feast of St. John the Baptist who is also widely known as John the Forerunner. This is of course due to the fact that Christians consider good old Johnny boy to be a precursor or 'forerunner' to Christ. St. John's Day actually comes one or two days after the actual solstice. Yum. I'm feeling hungry, how bout you?

I don't know what Catholics do. I didn't ask.

Other freaks of nature might just sit around and surf the web, sneeze, scratch their bottoms, watch TV, eat or basically wither away in their own pathetic, insignificant, unmanageable lives not knowing that sun is directly located over the top of the Tropic of Cancer, thus, officially kicking off the beginning of Summer.