Early this morning, the Summer Solstice passed us by here down under. This marks the longest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere, and it is all the way down hill now until the Winter Solstice hits in June. Our first sunflower is massive and beautiful with a few more to bloom in the next few weeks. We also picked all of the ANZAC Peaches tonight, and they taste absolutely delicious. I have never had a peach quite like it!
When people were more connected to the land and in tune with the Earth, it marked the beginning of the Summer season, but now for some reason, here in Australia we begin Summer on the 1st of December. I realise that the equinox and the solstice were marked by pagan ceremonies, but I am unsure of their origin and why we changed the dates of the seasons.
If anyone knows why, please leave a comment. I am not up for a round of research on Google tonight.
Solstice blessings to you and yours.
Gav
Here in Spain we consider the beginning of Summer the 21st of June, and have just started Winter. I always argue, however, that Summer should start June 1st since the weather is already really hot and end Sept 1st, since it’s the start of the “rainy season” and it only gets worse after that. It’s definitely much warmer 21 days before the start of Summer than after its end.
Maybe this website will help answer your question, Gavin: http://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080229173950AAvc9ZE
It is so strange for me to think that in Australia it is summer, while here in the United States it’s winter. Happy Summer Solstice!
Happy Solstice to you too Gavin 🙂
I don’t know the exact reason for changing the dates but I was of the impression that whilst Europe has four distinct seasons – roughly coinciding with the Solstices & Equinox – Australia in reality has about six (wet, dry etc), so along the way we just extended the traditional European seasons, rather than adopting the Aboriginal model.
All the best to you and yours for Christmas and New Year!
@ Gracia. The seasons are definitely changing. We had a very high temps in spring which is well out of character for Melbourne.
@ Green Gal. Thanks for the link. I find it hard to believe that it is freezing cold in the U.S. BBQ’s are all the rage on Boxing Day!
@ Julie. I remember reading about the 6 seasons the Australian Aboriginals used before the European invasion. They were and still are very much in touch with country. All the best to you for the festive season. Hope to read a bit more of your adventures in 2010.
Gav
Hey there
I was always under the impression that the Summer and winter solstice where the shortest and longest day. and then was charted by the lunar months not our normal calendar.
Hope you all have a lovely xmas