Happy Summer Solstice

A little after midnight tonight the astronomical solstice will occur here in Covington.

From a celestial perspective this represents the moment when Earth’s northern hemisphere is maximally tilted toward the sun.

It has always been a moment rich with importance to humanity, as evidenced by monuments from the Ohio River valley (the Great Serpent Mound) to the Salisbury Plain of England (Stonehenge).

It is a time of fragrant blossoms and abundant game, but also a warning that the wheel turns and darkness will soon be on the rise.

Now that we live in a city there are fewer bonfire celebrations, but we still like to light a candle just before sunset to carry the light of the sun through the beginning of its long journey into winter.

Happy Solstice.