A Farewell to the Solstice

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The Eastoner - General Midi

It has finally passed. The days were growing longer, immeasurably, minute by minute, just as a child whose growth goes unnoticed by those who spend each waking moment with him, until you realize that, at nearly news hour, there is still not complete darkness. I found it depressing to pull the shades before turning in only to see sunlight in the northwest sky. Our planet, tilted in such a way as to maximize our exposure to the sun in our little corner of the hemisphere, was bathed in sunlight for what seemed an eternity each day. No early evening leisurely strolls in the gathering darkness; no artificial table top fires; the flickering lights of airplanes gently rumbling overhead were snuffed out in the extended twilight. But we’ve made it. We’ve started down the other side of the mountain.

This past Wednesday, June 21st, was the Summer Solstice; the longest day of the year. The western sun worshippers, so thankful for the prolonged agony of daylight, are now beginning the downward spiral experienced by us eastern night dwellers back on December 22nd. On that day, the day after the longest night of the year, the westerners emerged from their colorful cocoons, drawn out by the promise of each day becoming longer. Now, we easterners are awakened from our dreams of nocturnal harmony by the promise of ever-shortening sunlight and the lonely yet oddly satisfying feeling of being the only ones outside in the darkness.

Shorter days means autumn approaches. Even in the stifling heat of July and August, taking a moment to notice the fading orange haze as it dissipates earlier each evening can bring a respite from the heat and the scourge of God’s annoying winged creatures looking to literally suck the blood from our veins. Shorter days means the first falling leaf is within reach of our rake. It means we’re closer to the browning of the crops than we are to when they were first planted. A shorter day brings with it the reminder of the first stinging north wind in early November when everything has turned brown and desolate…perfect in every way.

Rejoice with me, my fellow Easterners, as hypoxic, exhausted alpinists, we take the final step over the summit of Mount Summer Solstice and begin our descent toward the Autumnal Equinox and the long nights beyond. Let’s not ponder December 22nd yet, though; leave that for the Westerners. They need something to keep them warm tonight.

Peace…

TC