Summer Solstice

June 21, 2022

This year the solstice occurs throughout the world on Tuesday, June 21. It will be summer solstice in the northern hemisphere, and winter solstice in the southern. (My focus here is on summer solstice since I live in the northern hemisphere).

“Summer Solstice Auvers" (Ode to Van Gogh) by Pamela JoAnn Willis

The solstice will occur in the morning in North and South America, and later in the evening on the other side of the world in Australia and New Zealand. The exact time will be 9:14 AM UTC (5:14 AM Eastern Daylight Time/EDT). You can convert the UTC or EDT times given to your own time zone on World Time Buddy.

Also known as Midsummer’s Eve, summer solstice marks the first day of the summer season in the northern hemisphere. During the summer solstice, the Earth is tilted toward the Sun so that the vertical solar rays strike the Tropic of Cancer. At this moment, according to the geocentric (earth-centered) view, the Sun reaches its northernmost point at +23.5 declination, meaning that it is 23 and 1/2 degrees north of the celestial equator.

During the solstices, the Sun appears to stand still for three days before it slowly begins moving in the opposite direction from whence it came. Our health may be more sensitive than usual during the three days before, the day of, and the three days after a solstice. One could say this is because the electromagnetic energetic changes created in the standstill are slightly “wobbly.”

Solstices, equinoxes, and the passage of the Sun into a new sidereal sign every month are known as sankrantis. In Sanskrit the term “sankranti” means “course, passage, or entry into.” According to classical Muhurta (elective astrology), we should avoid sankrantis for any new undertaking like beginning a job or new program of study, making a significant purchase, setting out on a journey, establishing a business venture, or getting engaged or married, and so on.

We should avoid beginning new endeavors because the Sun symbolizes the soul of the world and the vitality of everything in life. If we want a new venture to have positive, valuable, and lasting results, the Sun needs to be strong when we set it in motion. The sankrantis are turning points when the Sun's energy is transitional and "on the edge of change." Often what we set into motion on sankrantis will not have the expected outcome. At the same time, these days are priceless for inner reflection.

The truth is that, “For everything there is a season. A time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8) Learning to live in harmony with the natural seasons and in alignment with the most appropriate astrological timing helps us to flow more purposefully with grace and ease in our lives.

The first waxing half of the solar year from winter to summer solstice in the northern hemisphere is known as uttarayana, according to Vedic astrology. It represents the expansive cycle of conscious energy projecting upward and outward into the material realm. It is the most auspicious half of the year in which to take action and establish new enterprises. For residents of the United States and others who live in the northern hemisphere, this part of the yearly cycle will end after the solstice on June 21 and begin again at the winter solstice on December 21, 2022.

Dakshinayana is the second half of the solar year extending from summer to winter solstice in the northern hemisphere. This is when the Sun’s power gradually wanes as it moves southward in its declination cycle. For residents of the northern hemisphere, this part of the year will commence after the upcoming solstice.

In dakshinayana, we may reap what was sown during uttarayana. That is to say, dakshinayana is generally the time for winding down and finishing what was set into motion in the first half of the year. (And of course, all of this is reversed in the southern hemisphere). As the natural flow slowly moves back to Source during dakshinayana, this is the hemicycle in which to focus more deeply on health, healing, and spiritual practices and rituals (vratas or pious observances).

The days of and around the summer solstice tend to elicit a greater surge of vital energy than usual. At the same time, this is also a sensitive time when mental activity is amplified; psychological imbalances may escalate; and relationship conflicts can erupt. It may be helpful to be aware of this.

On a positive note, at the summer solstice, the divine light of consciousness, symbolized by the Sun, becomes more completely reflected in the world for us to enjoy. So, it’s a time when we should “stop and smell the roses”! Being out in nature and performing sacred ceremonies and practices around the summer solstice can help to maximize the wonderful benefits.

Lord Vishnu, the Sustainer of the world, will begin His rest at the end of uttarayana, and Lord Shiva will awaken at the start of dakshinayana. Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya! Har Har Mahadeva! Aum Namashivay!

I like to chant the Gayatri mantra at sunrise and sunset on the solstice and for the three days following, while meditating on the Sun within my spiritual heart. The Gayatri is the supreme Vedic mantra to the Sun.

This image below portrays Gayatri appearing before Vishwamitra Rishi. She is the personified form of the mantra, also known as Savitri and Vedamata, Mother of the Vedas. In the Skanda Purana, Gayatri is another name of Saraswati Devi. She is also is associated with Savitr, a Vedic solar deity.

Here are the words:

Om bhur bhuvah svaha

tat savitur varenyam

bhargo devasya dhimahi

dhiyo onah prachodayat

Pronounced:

Om bhoor bhuva swahah

tat savi tur varenyam

bhargo dey vasya dhi mahhi

dheeyo yoh na pracho dayaht

There are several interpretations, though all mean basically the same thing. I prefer this:

I meditate upon the Divine Radiance,

The One Light which bestows all happiness.

May thou inspire, enlighten and guide my intellect in the right direction.