Summer Sun Stands Still!

Multi-wavelength  image of our star

Yes, it is that time of year to mark the summer solstice or the day the sun (sol) stands still (stice). Our friends at Spaceweather.com remind us that the event also means tonight (June 20-21) is the shortest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

The sun reaches its highest point in the sky today, and it is the longest day of the year. Although the sun begins its descent tomorrow, insolation from our star will continue to raise atmospheric temperatures until late July. As this day marks the end of the season of renewal and the beginning of the season of growth and flower, I am reminded of this quote by D. H. Lawrence:

The greatest need of man is the renewal forever of the complete rhythm of life and death, the rhythm of the sun's year, the body's year.

For me the rhythm calls for music for the season. What could be better than the full circle found in Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night's Dream, music composed for William Shakespeare's play of the same name.  If you cannot enjoy the full hour, the first and last fifteen minutes should prepare you to enjoy the nights, dreams, and magic of the season.