Today is the Summer Solstice. It marks the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere but what exactly is the Summer Solstice?
Solstices happen twice a year. Once in June and once in December. In June the Northern Hemisphere experiences the longest day of the year whilst on the other hand the Southern Hemisphere experiences the shortest day of the year. The UK can receive up to 17 hours of daylight on the Summer Solstice, compared to that of the Winter Solstice where we only receive 7 hours of daylight!
In the Northern Hemisphere, the Summer Solstice happens when the sun is directly overhead the Tropic of Cancer. Solstice comes from the Latin words ‘Sol’ meaning sun and ‘Sistere’ meaning stand still. Astrologers say the sun seems to ‘stand still’ at the point of the horizon where it appears to rise and set.
Stonehenge in Wiltshire is very important to Pagans on the Summer Solstice because it famously aligns to the solstices. Each year around 20,000 visitors flock to the site to see the Summer Solstice!
With more daylight hours here, have you ever thought about taking a balloon flight to watch the sunset? Take a balloon flight this summer with Aerosaurus Balloons. Prices start from just £99 per person!
