Hi all! If you tuned in last week, I gave an overview of the 12 astrological houses, and for today’s blog I’m going to explain the importance of the Summer Solstice. This event is known by several names, including summer equinox or midsummer. While this event holds tradition in many countries and cultures, it also is an important event in the astrological world!
Every summer, typically landing on a date between the 20th and 22nd of June, is the longest day of the year. The numerical dates vary year to year, and past dates can be found online. The north pole is tilted, causing earths northern hemisphere to be closest to the sun. In turn, causing a day of thorough sunshine and maximum length. This creates a beautiful day full of celebration and nature.
The summer solstice correlates to the beginning of Cancer season, and during this time everyone is encouraged to put priority on emotional wellbeing. This is consistent through each year. The sun is affiliated with a masculine energy and meaning. Yet, the sign of cancer is a feminine placement. This constant masculinity coming into contact with the new introduced femininity is a great time for balancing your energy: some people need receptiveness and gentleness, and some may need help in being strong willed and sturdy. As previously talked about, each person has a unique chart, which shows readings about placements. Because of this, the summer solstice also has a more specific message for each of the twelve sun signs. Which makes sense- the whole premise of the equinox revolves around the sun- so it’s only logical for the correlation. The degree of the sun is constantly changing, so each year the advice is different that the solstice before. Yet, for examples sake, we can look at this past summer of ’22.
Say we take those with Taurus sun signs. In the previous month, the sun would’ve been placed in in second house. Yet- with the sun’s rotation during the solstice- it will shift into the third house. As discussed in last week’s blog, house three deals with community and one’s self-discovery. Therefore, this alteration will help benefit your social energy and interactions. Using this method, everyone can take their own chart and see what changes are in store for them. Or, if you are still too unfamiliar to do you own readings, there are many websites that are posted every year before the solstice. Many provide either short or detailed descriptions of what the changes in you chart will mean.
This yearly event holds an important place in many religions, worldwide. Historically, Pagans were the first documented belief system to celebrate this event. In western beliefs, Christianity typically associates this event with the nativity of john the Baptist. Still, the most recognizable tradition is Midsummer, in Sweden. the This is a heavily photographed event, as it is an annual tradition full of meaning. When someone brings up solstice festivals, this is what most people think of. Midsummer has been covered by the media for hundreds of years, and each year tourists come from all over to witness the tradition.
All in all, the Summer Solstice is an important day each year and if you are interested in astrology, a great way to get deeper into traditions.
I wasn’t aware midsummer was such an important event for astrology, or about the different masculine and feminine energies which are associated with the stars, would love to learn more for sure
This was an interesting read – I knew that the Solstices and Equinoxes had astrological impacts (as many important dates / celestial events do) but never delved deeper beyond that. It’s neat that there is a slight annual variation with the Solstice, with the sun’s rising period correlating to different houses. Also, adding in the western religious beliefs was a great acknowledgement, as it added a relevant comparison for your audience.