I admit it. I'm a freak. In the morning, instead of checking Facebook, I check an ephemeris — a minute-to-minute record, tracking the degrees of the planets as they travel through the zodiac.
It's a book written half in Astrology's arcane symbols for the planets and signs, and half in numerals. It lets me know the instant the Moon dives into Pisces; Mercury falls into Retrograde; or when Mars rolls into Scorpio. For Christmas last year, all I wanted from Santa was The New American Ephemeris for the 20th Century, 1900-2000 at Midnight by Rique Pottenger and Neil F. Michelsen. Sadly, it was too heavy to bring to the Yukon. I read biodymanics (the marriage of farming and astrology) calendars and charts for fun. I keep an eye on what is going in the planetary, ahem, world.
Many exciting things happen in the sky on a daily basis, but the Solstices and Equinoxes that divide the pagan year are the four most widely celebrated pagan holidays. Not everyone throws Imbolc, Lammas or Beltane parties, though I highly recommend them. Samhaim lives on through Hallowe'en. Yule influenced Christmas. Solstice is also known as Litha.
In pre-industrial times Litha was celebrated with bonfires, feasts, fire-jumping, processions festooned with garlands of St. John's Wort and other yellow flowers, and by walking naked through forests (okay, I know people who still do that at parties).
Litha was considered a good moment to cut wood for making magick wands, divining and dowsing rods, and to hold rites encouraging inspiration, good crops, planetary healing and general communion with nature. Ashes from Litha bonfires were cast onto fields to ensure a bountiful crop.
Astrologically, Solstice is the minute when the Sun enters the zodiac sign of Cancer. This minute is considered Solstice worldwide, and although few people remember the part about the Sun moving into Cancer, the roots of the holiday are astrological. This year, the Sun enters Cancer at 10:04 p.m. (PST) on Thursday, June 20, hence, the exact Solstice moment is 10:04 p.m. Much Solstice activity revolves around sun worship, and the Sun in Cancer means a reflective, expansive time for nurturing plants and the fertility of field. Cancer is also very moony sign. And the Moon will be travelling through the following signs of the zodiac during Solstice week: intimate, depth seeking and intense Scorpio, and adventuresome Sagittarius. But the full Moon on Sunday, June 23 at 3:32 p.m. (PST) will be in Capricorn, bringing a sense of purpose to us after the many all-night parties throughout the week.
In the northern hemisphere the Summer Solstice is also known as the longest day of the year. In Whitehorse the sun will rise at 4:27 a.m. on June 20 (the actual Solstice day), and set at 11:37 p.m. for a total day length of 19 hours, 9 minutes and 19 second. Solar noon will be at 2:02 PM. After this exciting moment, we enter the waning period of the Sun. By Friday June 21, the day length will already be one full minute shorter. But some communities aren't worried about the days shortening for a little while. In Old Crow, the sun rose at 2:44 a.m. on May 28, and has continuous daylight until it finally sets on July 15 at 2:06 a.m. That's a very long day.
Worldwide, Solstice is celebrated between June 21 and 23 with a traditional series of pagan festivals including Midsummer's Eve, or Midsummer, which fall on June 22 and 23. In Sweden, Finland, Latvia, Estonia and, at some parties in the Yukon, Midsummer's Eve is celebrated with as much vigour as Christmas and New Year's Eve.
In Canada, National Aboriginal Day falls on June 21 and was established in 1995. And across the Yukon, the Solstice is also the official beginning of summer, blessed, light-filled, wildflower-lined, beautiful summer. Happy Solstice and may your freak flag fly.
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Aimée Dawn Robinson is a writer, dancer and visual artist living in Dawson.
INSET
Headline: Solstice Events Across the Territory
Dawson City
June 20 to 22: Dust to Dawson Motorcycle Ride
Contact: Dick Van Nostrand, 867-993-3863
Keno City
June 21 from 5 to 10 p.m.: Keno City Mountain Solstice Party, Sourdough Café
Contact: Sourdough Café
Marsh Lake
June 23 and 24: Solstice St. Jean, Kettley's Canyon
Contact: vhamel@afy.yk.ca
Mayo
June 21 at 7p.m.: Aboriginal Film Festival, free, Galena Park
Contact: heritagemgr@nndfn.com?
June 22 from noon to 7 p.m.: Mayo Arts Festival, Galena Park, free.
Contact: winter@winterchildjewellery.ca
June 22, 8 p.m. to midnight: 18th Annual Mayo Midnight Marathon, ?
Contact: mayomarathon@gmail.com
Whitehorse
June 20 at 8 p.m.: The Great Big Solstice Ha Ha, The Guild Hall
Contact: The Guild Hall 633-3550
June 21 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.: 108 Sun Salutations, at 1st Avenue and Main Street on the wharf
Contact: Erica Heuer, 393-4440
June 21 to 22: Sunstroke Music Festival, Shipyards Park
More information: Sunstroke Facebook page
June 22: Midnight Sun Golf Tournament, Mountain View Golf Course?
Contact: 633-6020
June 22: Yukon Pride 2013: 24 Hours of Gaylight Picnic and Dance, Rotary Park then Burnt Toast Café