Editor's Corner

Good morning! Back in March, I wrote to wish you a happy vernal equinox. Back then, I mentioned that the equinox occurs twice each year (in March and September in the Northern Hemisphere) when the amount of daylight and nighttime are about equal in length.

Today, Im wishing you a happy (slightly belated) summer solstice! According to Dictionary.com, The word solstice ultimately derives from the Latin slstitium, which comes from the parts sl, sun, and sistere, to stand still. This means that slstitium literally translates to something like the standing still of the sun.

The summer solstice (around June 21 in the Northern Hemisphere) represents the longest day of the year. Around the world, people and cultures have beautiful ways to celebrate. England boasts one of the oldest and most well-known celebrations at Stonehenge. Thousands of druids, pagans, and other celebrants gather to admire the spectacular sunrise over the sacred site, where the stones align perfectly with the movement of the sun.

Summer solstice sunrise at Stonehenge

In Sweden, the celebration is known as Midsummer. The celebration involves dancing around a maypole, decorating houses with greenery, and enjoying delicious food and drink.

Dancing around the maypole in Sweden

(You may be familiar with a 2019 horror/thriller movie called Midsommar. I cant recommend it because Im a scaredy cat when it comes to horror films, but it is critically acclaimed.)

In Bolivia, along the shores of Lake Titicaca, on the Isla del Sol, the Indigenous people gather for summer solstice ceremonies that include musical performances, native dances, and rituals to honor Pachamama (Mother Earth).

Indigenous women perform a ceremonial dance at Lake Titicaca in Bolivia

If youre interested in learning about the many other countries and cultures that celebrate the summer solstice, you can read more here.

As we move into summer, I wish you a perfect blend of sunny days and warm nights. Happy summer solstice.

Donna Bradley Burcher |Technical Editor, Advisory | jack henry

Pronouns she/her/hers

9660 Granite Ridge Drive, San Diego CA 92123

Symitar Documentation Services

About Editors Corner

Editors Corner keeps your communication skills sharp by providing information on grammar, punctuation, JHA style, and all things English. As editors, we spend our days reading, researching, and revising other peoples writing. We love to spend a few extra minutes to share what we learn with you and keep it fun while were doing it.

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