The Summer Solstice in the Palm of your Hand

Our sun is pretty amazing. It is the single origin of nourishment we need to live as we do on planet Earth. Without the sun’s energy, the Earth could not maintain the vast and exciting diversity of life we get to experience. Because this energy is in every molecule of our bodies, we truly have the sun in the palm of our hand in more way then one! 

The longest day of the year, the Summer Solstice will take place here in Traverse City, MI on Monday, June 20^th at 6:34pm. Because the Earth revolves at tilt, on this date, the North Pole will be as close to the sun as it can be on its 365-day trip around the sun. To demonstrate this, hold your hands in front of you, elbows bent with your palms facing toward you. Next, make a fist with your left hand, symbolizing the sun. Because the Earth revolves around the sun at a tilt of 23.26 degrees, angle your right hand so that the tips of your fingers are closer to your left fist, and your wrist is farther away. Congratulations, you are demonstrating the summer solstice! Now, while keeping your right hand (Earth) in exactly the same place, move your left fist (Sun) around to the right side of your right hand. (You can move around the front or the back of your right hand). Notice that your wrist is now closer to your fist, and the tips of your fingers are now further away? This is the Winter Solstice, six months, or half a year later. 

While we in the Northern hemisphere are “leaning toward the light” this month, take some time to honor the light within you. For you are a wonderfully beautiful and amazing being illuminating other growing, changing, beautiful lives. Give yourself permission to explore, create, discover, and grow. You are not alone. Although we may all take different paths, everything in the Northern hemisphere will be on the same journey. Enjoy it.

~ Elaine
 

Happy Solstice from our farm family!!