Once again it’s that turning point in the northern year when
the days start getting shorter but, paradoxically, the weather starts getting
warmer. I still haven’t figured that one out. Actually, I don’t mind the days
getting a little shorter because I find it somewhat disconcerting to still have
it light at 10:30 PM, especially when the morning birds start singing about the
time I go to sleep and my cat tries to wake me up at 4:30 AM.
Seattle engages in a summer solstice ritual called the Fremont
solstice parade, sort of a delayed Mardi Gras celebration with colorful
displays and costumes. The main attraction is the multitude of nude bicycle
riders who paint their bodies and ride through the city in the parade. It’s all
very friendly and informal, a great way to spend a sunny Saturday.
So happy solstice to all! Here’s hoping you can keep cool if
it’s hot, keep safe if there are forest fires, tornadoes, or other summer-type
disasters in your part of the world, and enjoy your winter solstice if you’re
in the other half of the globe.
[Photos adapted from the Seattle newspaper that still has free online access. If you're interested, you can see all of their solstice celebration photos here.]
Happy solstice! In my part of the world the sun barely sets right now and it doen't get dark at all... I took a midnight dip in a nearby lake on Midsummers Eve and it was almost light as day. I LOVE it! The white nights are so magical!
ReplyDeleteNadja, extreme seasons are magical indeed! I remember being in St. Petersburg around the summer solstice, and it literally was light all night! I also find the opposite to be a magical time, when it's always dark and everyone lights candles and snuggles to keep warm. Where I live, although we do have fairly pronounced changes in day length, the biggest contrast is between the rainy season and the dry season. Not quite as exciting.
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