As the climate in Scotland shows signs of improvement, many individuals eagerly anticipate the forthcoming summer solstice. While the meteorological calendar designates the official start of the warm season as June 1, with a conclusion in August, the astrological calendar, rooted in the relative positions of the sun and planets, commences the summer season a few weeks later with the occurrence of the summer solstice.
This year’s summer solstice is due to transpire on Thursday, June 20, a day earlier than in 2023. The solstice, an occurrence that transpires twice annually, denotes the changeover between the seasons. In the context of summer, it signifies the lengthiest day of the year, while winter experiences the briefest.
A common misunderstanding among many pertains to the perceived duration of a solstice, as it is mistakenly thought to encompass an entire day. However, the term actually denotes a precise moment when a hemisphere is at its closest or furthest point from the sun. The etymology of “solstice” can be traced back to the Latin words ‘sol’ (sun) and ‘sistere’ (to stand still), which is fitting as the sun appears to temporarily “stand still” on the horizon’s points of ascent and descent.
The anticipated summer solstice of this year is projected to transpire at 9:51 pm, with sunrise scheduled for 4:26am and sunset for 10:02 pm. Scotland is expected to experience 17 hours and 36 minutes of daylight, resulting in the shortest night in the northern hemisphere.
The summer solstice serves as the astronomical calendar’s commencement of the season, persisting until the arrival of the autumn equinox on September 23. In ancient times, the solstice signaled the period spanning from crop sowing to harvesting, providing farmers with an interlude for repose prior to recommencing work in the fields. Termed “midsummer,” the days following the summer solstice gradually grow shorter, though this is not discernible until the winter months.
Conversely, the winter solstice materializes on December 21, symbolizing the year’s briefest day.
Throughout the annals of time, the summer solstice has been marked by celebrations, some of which endure to the present day. In Scotland, the summit of Ben Nevis is deemed the prime location for commemorating the summer solstice, with organized overnight hikes leading to the apex of the nation’s tallest peak.
Noteworthy celebrations of the summer solstice can be found at Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England, where Druids and Pagans congregate to witness the remarkable sunrise over the ancient 5,000-year-old monument. The stone structure was meticulously constructed to align with the movements of the sun, and presently, multitudes assemble at Stonehenge annually to witness this splendid spectacle.
In summation, the lengthiest day of the year, embodied by the summer solstice, is scheduled to transpire on June 20, 2024, and will be commemorated by an array of groups, inclusive of those in Scotland who will have the chance to observe the event from the summit of Ben Nevis. The customs associated with celebrating the summer solstice have been transmitted across generations, and persist in various manifestations, notably the gathering at Stonehenge in England.