Today The Sun Stands Still

Today, June 21, is the Summer Solstice, also known as Midsummer*, and is the longest day of our northern-hemisphere year. Solstice comes from Latin and literally means "sun stands still," occurring when the Earth is most tilted toward the sun, causing the sun to reach its greatest distance above the equator.

Astrologically, it marks the entry of the Sun into Cancer (good-bye, Gemini!), the sign of family and home. How appropriate! My Cancer woman arrives home tomorrow and the sun stands still today to greet her. I like that.

Speaking of family, next week we'll all pack our bags and head north to Michigan in two cars for the annual Hart Family Reunion: Donica, Amy, Nicholas, Mark and I. For a family as large as ours, it really is a grand gathering. More and more kids from the 3rd generation down are being born (one just this past week!), waiting to be met by the rest of us.

Today we take that one collective breath for Family and Home. While the sun stands still!

(*Also known as Litha, Feill-Sheathain, Jani, Alban Hefin, Juhannus, Midsommarafton, and Saint John's Eve. Anything else?)