It’s pretty normal here in the Midwest to not start feeling warmer temperatures until Memorial Day Weekend. And even some years we really don’t start to have summer temps until late June. Between being quarantined at home and cold weather, we’re all a bit stir crazy. We’ve all been touched by this pandemic and I’m sure no matter what part of the country you live in, you’ve had days that you need a change of scenery. Or new meal ideas or just a night off to not have to cook the 65th dinner in a row. Maybe you’re an introvert and you are so tired of not having a little space to yourself. Or if you’re an extrovert like me, you are craving time with a big group of people! No matter your situation, we’re all wanting connection. And I think this upcoming month will be the perfect time to kick off summer and celebrate.

Celebrate the Solstice

Summer and the summer solstice has been celebrated since ancient times. In our hemisphere, the summer solstice happens when the tilt of the Earth's axis is most aligned with the sun, providing us with more daylight. This longest day falls on June 20th this year. This day also is right in the middle of the spring and autumn equinoxes and is considered Midsummer in most of Europe. As the midpoint of the growing season between planting and harvest, Midsummer was an important festival to commemorate the day of the most sun for their crops. It is such a significant transition in nature and the astronomical year, that it is not surprising that it has evoked emotions and imaginations in cultures and people over the ages, resulting in many rituals, myths and celebrations.

We may not celebrate our crops or the sun, or participate in magical rites, but we all seem to long for sunshine and crave longer days after the darker days of winter. Even more so in these days of global pandemic, we want to shed what is dark and leave it behind for lighter days ahead. 

So in this same spirit, I am looking forward to gathering others together and celebrating our longest day. We will harvest the good things that have come out of a long, dark season. We will share food and drink and laughter and music. And we will gather those we love to connect and appreciate and enjoy.