Summer Solstice
“And now for the kiss of the wind,
And the touch of the air’s soft hands,
With the rest from strife and the heat of life,
With the freedom of lakes and lands.”
And the touch of the air’s soft hands,
With the rest from strife and the heat of life,
With the freedom of lakes and lands.”
---------- Paul
Laurence Dunbar, “In the Summer”
This year, the annual Summer Solstice
fell on the same time as another lunar event, the Strawberry Moon. The
Strawberry Moon is a full moon, noted for its bright, red tinted color.
Stunning pictures of the solstice show the strawberry moon overlooking a clear
night sky.
The
Summer Solstice also has many literary traditions. It has represented mythical thought,
natural beauty and harvest seasons and several writers have used the symbolism
of the longest day of the year to speak of the human experience. Their writings,
collected within the library in several anthologies, show that the fascination
that people have held with this astrological event has not waned since it was
first discovered, many ages ago. It coincides with many significant
constellations that hold much meaning for those that are interested in
astrology. It is celebrated in different cultures all across the globe, from
Midsummer festivals in the States to sky-watching ceremonies at Stonehenge.
Besides its historical and literary significance, the event of a summer solstice falling on a strawberry moon is a rare lunar event. Scientists state that this event only occurs every 60 to 70 years. There may be only one sighting a generation!
As Jessica F. writes for Nature World News: “Some say that the
strawberry moon is rarer than the blue moon, and the last one occurred 68 years
ago. A strawberry moon is a celestial event when the summer solstice occurs at
the same time with a full moon. Legends say that the named was derived from
older traditions that when a summer solstice and a full moon occurred at the
same time, it signals the start of the harvest season of the fruit[…].”
If you missed the event, don’t worry! There are still
plenty of events planned to happen in the night sky. On August 11th
and 12th, the peak of the Perseids meteor shower will take place,
dazzling the sky with dozens of shooting stars. Additionally, a lunar eclipse
will take place on September 1st, but will only be visible on the
eastern coast of Africa.
We, at the library, hope everyone who is reading is having
a great summer and are enjoying the beautiful night skies! We look forward to
seeing you in the Fall.
Submitted by Samantha MacLaren
Library Technician 1
Palm Beach State College
Submitted by Samantha MacLaren
Library Technician 1
Palm Beach State College
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