Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Summer Solstice 2022
The Summer Solstice happened at 4:13 this morning, central time! The astrological first day of Summer and the longest day of the year.
The timing of the June solstice is not based on a specific calendar date or time; it all depends on when the Sun reaches its northernmost point from the celestial equator. That’s usually the 20th, 21st or 22nd. This is generally a time when many are eating the first strawberries of the season!
And, in fact, June’s full Moon is also known as the Strawberry Moon. It was June 12th this year…
Cultures have celebrated this day in a variety of ways, mostly centering around fertility and/or religion. Ancient Greeks celebrated the God of Agriculture, Cronus. Many Native American tribes took part in centuries-old midsummer rituals, some of which are still practiced today. The Sioux, for instance, performed a ceremonial sun dance around a tree while wearing symbolic colors.
Midsummer was a crucial time of year for the Vikings, those Nordic seafarers would meet to discuss legal matters and resolve disputes around the summer solstice. They would also visit wells thought to have healing powers and build huge bonfires. Today, “Viking” summer solstice celebrations are popular among both residents and tourists in Iceland.
More on ancient world celebrations of the Summer Solstice at history.com
So what does it all mean for we gardeners? We can believe in magic and fairies and bask in the glow of sunshine as we look to those strawberries and other bounty as well as flowers! Get out there and plant a plant, stroll a forest, run through a prairie or prance in a puddle!
