This year, for the first time, we'll be celebrating the summer solstice. Summer solstice is the longest day of the year and marks a halfway point in the earth's journey around the sun. I really like the idea of celebrating an astronomical event as it is so grounding. I feel more connected to my holiday as I can watch it approach, I can see the shadows grow shorter and then longer. Plus solstice is a day that everyone all over the world can celebrate.
What will we be doing for our first summer solstice? I plan to take it easy, we take a walk in the morning, temperature permitting. Then I've got several art projects planned throughout the day involving the sun, such as a sun catcher and painting rocks with sun symbols to imitate the way ancient people painted on cave walls. At 4:08 pm we'll mark the moment. The really fun thing about solstice is that there is a specific calculated time it will occur. And what is that moment exactly? It is the moment when the sun is furthest from the equator and the north pole is fully pointed toward the sun. Of course the opposite it true for those living in the southern hemisphere.
For dinner I plan to grill veggies from my garden and some local pastured goat chops. We might even light a candle to symbolize a bonfire like they would do in Germany. I won't risk a fire around here as it's so dry and we don't have a fire pit.
For the last few weeks I've been reading to the girls about the summer solstice. I bought The Longest Day and The Summer Solstice. Both of these books are really nice as they are written for children and full of colorful illustrations. There are also activities for different age children at the back. Rhythm of the Home also has a great reading list for summer. I look forward to the coming years when we can really explore more about the earth's rotation around the sun and how it affects the season. For now it's fun craft projects and staying up later.
Happy Summer Solstice Everyone! Don't forget today is the last day to enter the Cubits seed pack giveaway. I will announce the winner tonight.
Good morning! And hoorah for starting new family traditions! This is one of my favorites of the year. We usually celebrate with camping so I think we'll head for the hills this weekend. I love the printables! We'll call that one sunset because ours sets over the mountains here. Love them! Thanks and have a great day (and eve)!
ReplyDeleteI'm really excited for these new traditions. Having children has made me think long and hard about what I celebrate and why. I wish we could go camping this weekend too, have a great time. I think I will plan more accordingly next year. I'm glad you like the printables, I think will make more. I want to do some about homesteading skills. Something little ones can relate too. Something like hanging laundry on the line, feeding chickens and such. Of course I've got the the idea in my head to write children's books about natural living as well. But that will have to wait until I get this cookbook done! I hope your solstice is lovely as well!
DeleteHappy Solstice! We may have to do our celebrating tomorrow since I have to work today, although hopefully I can remember to chat about it with the boys over dinner tonight. Hope you have a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Maybe next year or for winter solstice we can arrange to do some activities together!? Have a wonderful day!
DeleteThose are such great printables! I love how easily you are embracing this day, and ours looks somewhat similar, with some outdoor time, hopefully a bit of water, and a great dinner. Happy Summer :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! I would like to do a whole series of natural living printables. I've not seen anything out there showing that. I learned for this pas winter solstice which as also our first that celebrations with young children should be done very simply. Then there is no stress and everyone is happy.
DeleteThanks so much for this post! I'm really really excited to begin celebrating these seasonal changes in our little family too. So much inspiration here. There probably won't be too much celebrating here -- the papa's out of town for the night and this mama is exhausted from a hard week. But maybe we will light an extra candle at dinner tonight and talk about the sun.
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome. I think lighting a candle would be an excellent way to end the day. You could even take a moment to mark the time of solstice where you live and talk about the sun that way. :)
DeleteHappy Solstice - sounds like a great celebration.
ReplyDeleteThanks! It was fun. I hope you Solstice went well too.
Deleteoh, how fun! You did a great job making this day special! Love all of your creative ideas!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I really look forward to having this day grow in their hearts. I hope it becomes a deep rooted tradition. :)
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