When is the summer solstice 2021 in Northern Hemisphere?

In Northern Hemisphere, the summer solstice is on Sunday, June 20, at 11:32 PM EDT. this year. You will experience the most daylight in the year, 14 hours in Washington D.C. to 18 hours in Alaska. The sun is at its highest and northmost position in the sky. But not the warmest tough. It takes a few weeks for the Earth to absorb all the heat. The warmest day is usually in July. 

 

Summer solstice and spirituality

The early dawns, the late sunsets, and the high arc of the sun across the sky are the callings of the universe for you to dive deep into your spirituality. Summer Solstice is the day of abundance. Utilize this Earthy energy to let go of any emotional baggage, express your gratitude in a Journal, and manifest your desire for the rest of the year. You will be happier if you get your body in the flow and connect with Earth in the morning. Go outside for a walk and listen to the birds. Feel the sunshine and embrace yourself. Or you might want to have brunch with some friends. Whether you spend time in solitude or with others, allow yourself to enjoy peace and magic on this special day of the year.  

June 20 is also Father’s Day this year, which means families can have extra time to celebrate with dads. Family barbecue or the beach, soak in the sun on this blissful day. It’s also time to celebrate the coming out of the pandemic and back-to-normal days. After that, it will be back to physical schools, a long commute to the office, and up-tight clothing. It would undoubtedly be a faster pace than the home-bound life. 

Call up some friends, have a pizza party outdoors, hit the beach, ride the wave, take a hike, light a campfire. Make this summer memorable as possible as the power is now. Live at the moment with all your intention; you won’t regret it.  

 

Fun facts about the summer solstice

Winter solstice happens at the same time in the Southern Hemisphere.

As it’s summer in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s winter in the Southern Hemisphere. The North Pole is tilted closest to the sun during the summer solstice. In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the opposite, so the South Pole is tilted farthest from the sun.

 

The sun does “not set” during the summer solstice In northern Iceland. 

The sun would set then rises again right before 3 AM, with the sky never going completely dark. You can watch the sun dips down to the horizon, touches the water then starts to rise again. 

 

Playing baseball at midnight is a summer solstice ritual in Alaska. 

The baseball game would start at 10:30 PM and ends the following day. This tradition began in 1906, and 2021 marks the 116th game.

 

Stonehenge at Wiltshire, England, is a world wonder site for the summer solstice.  

The rock-circle monument was built around 2600 BC.  It attracts thousands of tourists every year to see the sun rises perfectly above the stones during the solstice, almost like a stage. The monument, however, was a spiritual burial site for the Neolithic people at the time.  

 

Many cultures have a summer solstice ritual.  

In ancient Egypt, the high priest would declare New Year at the summer solstice, as that signaled the return of Sirius, the brightest star in the northern sky.  It was the time the Nile river would start to flood and nourish the land.  

 

Ancient Chinese would hold festivals and holidays during the summer solstice.  

They would eat particular foods like bitter guards to clear the heat and detox.

   

In ancient Greek, the slaves were off on holidays during the summer solstice.  

The Aztecs of Mexico would celebrate with dances and ceremonies as their temples cast the shortest shadow.   

The Native Americans perform ceremonial sun dance around sites like Wyoming’s Bighorn medicine wheel, built several hundred years ago with stone arrangements align with the solstices.

  

What is your summer solstice ritual? Maybe you can start one this year.