The ancient peoples called the winter solstice, Midwinter,
not the first day of winter.
And, they called the summer solstice, Midsummer,
not the 1st day of summer. .
The solstices and equinoxes are all mid-season days.
Let me explain why.
Let's compare how the sun moves during the day to
how the sun moves during the year.
Every day, the sun rises and waxes, getting higher and higher, until noon, and then it wanes, descending toward the horizon.
Most early cultures called noon Mid-day for that reason,
and not the Beginning of the day.
The sun travels higher and higher in the sky until Mid-day,
then travels lower and lower after Mid-day.
Now let's see how the sun moves across the sky
during the year, not during the day?
With every day until the Summer Solstice the sun's path waxes across the sky (its path gets higher and higher with each day).
And then after the solstice the sun's path wanes (its path across
the sky gets lower and lower with each day).
The sun's path waxes, until it reaches a mid-point, then
its path wanes. This mid-point is the summer solstice!
That's why the Summer Solstice was called Midsummer and
not the first day of Summer, because the sun's path begins
to wane the day after the solstice. We get less sunlight each day
after the Summer Solstice...after the mid-point!
Ancient people across the globe noticed 8 Landmark days;
the solstices, the equinoxes, and the days in between.
They called the Summer Solstice Midsummer
for the reasons we mentioned, above.
The Eight Landmarks of the Year
Summer Solstice - Midsummer - ~June 21st
Cross-Quarter Day - ? - August 1st
Fall Equinox - ? - ~Sep. 22nd/23rd
Cross-Quarter Day - ? - Nov. 1st
Winter Solstice - ? - ~Dec. 21st
Cross-Quarter Day - ? - Feb. 1st
Spring Equinox -? - ~March 21st
Cross-Quarter Day - ? - May 1st
What about the other 7 landmarks?
Let's name those now.
After "Midsummer", the sun's path will wane each day (getting lower and lower) until it reaches the Winter Solstice, another
mid-point. After the winter solstice its path waxes each day,
again, giving us more sunlight with each day.
That's why the winter solstice was called Midwinter, and
not the first day of winter.
Makes sense, doesn't it? Many people across the world,
including me, think so.
The Eight Landmarks of the Year
Summer Solstice - Midsummer - ~June 21st
Cross-Quarter Day - ? - August 1st
Fall Equinox - ? - ~Sep. 22nd/23rd
Cross-Quarter Day - ? - Nov. 1st
Winter Solstice - Midwinter - ~Dec. 21st
Cross-Quarter Day - ? - Feb. 1st
Spring Equinox -? - ~March 21st
Cross-Quarter Day - ? - May 1st
Following this logic, then the Equinoxes are mid-season days, too.
The Eight Landmarks of the Year
Summer Solstice - Midsummer - June 21st
Cross-Quarter Day - ? - August 1st
Fall Equinox - Midautumn - Sep. 22nd/23rd
Cross-Quarter Day - ? - Nov. 1st
Winter Solstice - Midwinter - Dec. 21st
Cross-Quarter Day - ? - Feb. 1st
Spring Equinox -Midspring - March 21st
Cross-Quarter Day - ? - May 1st
What remains are the Cross-Quarter Days,
which are the first days of each season.
(A Cross-Quarter Day occurs midway between an equinox and a solstice.)
The Eight Landmarks of the Year
Summer Solstice - Midsummer - ~June 21st
Cross-Quarter Day - First day of Autumn - August 1st
Fall Equinox - Midautumn - ~Sep. 22nd/23rd
Cross-Quarter Day - First day of Winter - Nov. 1st
Winter Solstice - Midwinter - ~Dec. 21st
Cross-Quarter Day - First day of Spring - Feb. 1st
Spring Equinox - Midspring - ~March 21st
Cross-Quarter Day - First day of Summer - May 1st
Notice that the first days of each season fall on cross-quarter days,
and the solstices and equinoxes are all mid-seasonal days.
The eight landmark dates are NOT arbitrary.
The Summer Solstice is always on June 21st (+ or - a day).
But, what you CALL the day is arbitrary. The ancient people called the summer solstice Midsummer; many people today call it the First day of Summer.
That is up to you, but it makes more sense to call it Midsummer.
Ancient cultures (Asian, European, Native American)
developed traditions
celebrating the eight landmarks of the year, which lead to the
adoption of a natural calendar that could be depicted as
an eight-fold wheel.
 |
An example of a solar calendar, or natural calendar.
Each spoke represents either a solstice, an equinox, or
a cross-quarter day. |
The basic thing they noticed was that the sun's path across the
sky changed with each day. From December to June the sun's
path gets higher and higher with each day.
To prove this, go outside around noon each day and notice that
the sun will be higher in the sky with each day, from Dec. to June.
They also noticed the amount of daylight increased with each day.
In June (~ the 21st), the sun's path seems to stop moving northward;
then the sun's path moves lower and lower across the sky with
each day, until it's path stops again in December (the 21st being its lowest point).
The two days when the sun's path stops moving are called
solstices, the Summer Solstice and the Winter Solstice.
The two days between the solstices are called the equinoxes, and
the 4 days in between the solstices and the equinoxes
are called cross-quarter days.
These were the eight landmarks that were marked on the early
calendar. Days that fall on the eight landmarks of the yearly
cycle mark the beginnings and middles of the four seasons.
The Eight Landmarks of the Year
Summer Solstice - Midsummer - ~June 21st
Cross-Quarter Day - First day of Autumn - August 1st
Fall Equinox - Midautumn - ~Sep. 22nd/23rd
Cross-Quarter Day - First day of Winter - Nov. 1st
Winter Solstice - Midwinter - ~Dec. 21st
Cross-Quarter Day - First day of Spring - Feb. 1st
Spring Equinox - Midspring - ~March 21st
Cross-Quarter Day - First day of Summer - May 1st
Now, let's discuss each season separately.
Summer Solstice
This landmark occurs when the sun's arch across the sky is at
its highest. This day is called the Summer Solstice. On this day
(usually around June 21st) we get the most sunlight of any day.
Where I live, in Kentucky, we get about 16 hours of daylight and 8
hours of darkness on this day. It's the longest day of the year.
More direct sunlight means more heat,
and that's why this part of the year is very hot.
 |
During our Summer (June) we* are tilted toward the sun and
get more direct sunlight and therefore more warmth.
*we = northern hemisphere |
After the solstice, the sun's path across the sky gets lower and
lower with each day , because of the earth's tilt as we circle the
sun. This means that after the solstice the days get shorter.
Less sunlight per day means less heat. Each day after the
solstice gets darker with less heating*. This is why the solstice
should be called the middle of summer, Midsummer, and
not the first day of summer.
(Shakespeare's play, A Midsummer Night's Dream,
takes place around the summer solstice!)
*The earth absorbs the heat and radiates the heat for many weeks after the solstice; that's why it remains hot for some time after the solstice, eventhough we receive less sunlight.
Click
here to see a great video about Why We Have Seasons.
Earth Revolving around the Sun
(notice how the axis always points in one direction)
The word solstice* literally means "sun-stop," and refers to how the arch/path of the sun gets higher with each day, then stops,
and then gets lower with each day. The day that it stops is
the solstice.
* the name of our sun is Sol. Sol stops moving north!
Each season is about 12-13 weeks (3 months) long. So, since the solstice is Midsummer, then the first day of summer would be 6 weeks
before the solstice, May 1st, and the last day of summer would be 6
weeks after the solstice, July 31st. May 1st is a cross-quarter day.
It falls exactly between a solstice and an equinox.
If you're interested in rituals, read this:
Click
here to read about
May Day celebrations (1st day of Summer),
and
here to read about
Midsummer rituals,
and
here for info about August 1st harvest rituals (end of Summer).
Autumnal (Fall) Equinox
As the earth moves around the sun we tilt further away from the sun with each day, receiving less and less direct sunlight, and the
days get darker and cooler. There is a point ~12 weeks from the
solstice where the tilt of the earth is 90 degrees from the sun's
axis. The sun's arch is directly over the equator.
This day is called the Autumnal Equinox (mid-autumn).
The Fall equinox occurs around September 22nd or 23rd, and on this day the amount of daylight equals the amount of night,
12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night. The ancient people
realized this was the halfway point between the summer solstice
and the winter solstice.
Since all seasons last about 12 weeks, then 6 weeks before
Midautumn (the equinox) would be the first day of Autumn (Aug. 1st),
and 6 weeks after the equinox would be the last day of Autumn (Oct. 31st).
Many cultures celebrated the equinox (~ Sept 21st) with rituals of
thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth. It was one of the
main harvest festivals.
The last day of Autumn (Oct. 31st) was the time to celebrate the
lives of those who have passed on. Today, we call it Halloween.
Winter Solstice
With each day after the autumn equinox we receive less and less direct
sunlight and therefore less daylight and less heat. The days are
getting very cold and very dark, until the darkest day arrives, the
longest night of the year, the Winter Solstice.
(In Kentucky we get about 8 hours of daylight; the rest of the day is in darkness)
 |
The Winter Solstice.
We (northern hemisphere) are tilted away from the sun. |
The sun's arch in the sky is at its lowest point and after this day the arch will get higher with each day. So, because of that reason
this day was considered by the ancients to be the middle of
Winter, or Midwinter, and not the first day of Winter. After this
day the sun returns, bringing more light and more warmth...
a great day to celebrate!! Here comes the sun!!
Because the sun's light and heat have been diminishing, and now begin to return, I call the winter solstice New Year's Day! A new year begins with the return of the sun's light and heat!!!
The Natural Calendar begins here on the winter solstice.
Remember, each season is about 12 weeks long, so 6 weeks before
Midwinter would be the first day of Winter (Nov. 1st), and 6 weeks
after solstice would be the last day of Winter (Jan. 31st).
The ancients celebrated the Winter Solstice (Dec. 21st), because
it symbolizes the rebirth of the sun and reminded them of
the fertile seasons ahead. Here comes the sun!!!!
Most cultures called this the most important time of celebration.
Sacrifices, feasting, and gift giving were common elements of
Midwinter (solstice) activities. They used to make wreaths of
evergreen branches and decorate their homes with evergreen
plants, such as holly, ivy, mistletoe, and spruce, and even
bringing in cut trees and decorating them.
To me (and the ancients) this is the beginning of the New Year.
Vernal Equinox
With each day after the Winter Solstice the days get longer (more
sunlight) and warmer, until the number of daylight hours equals
the number of night hours. This is the Vernal Equinox (verne = green).
The plants are turning green and making flowers. The animals are
producing young (chickens, rabbits, sheep, cattle). This is the
time of rebirth, of great fertility. Again, time to celebrate!
Easter evolved from this ancient equinox tradition. By the way,
do you know how the date for Easter is determined!
Remember, it's a different date each year!
Six weeks before the equinox would be the first day of
Spring (Feb. 1st/2nd), and 6 weeks after the equinox would be the
last day of Spring (April 30th), Summer's eve.
On the first day of Spring (Feb 1st) the ancients celebrated the first
stirrings of Spring. They were pleased because of the anticipation of new life!
With each day after the equinox we receive more and more direct
sunlight and therefore more daylight and more heat.
We're moving toward Summer; the cycle begins again.
The Japanese and other Asian cultures lived by a
similar calendar, which used the word yang to describe light and
heat and the word yin to describe darkness and cold. They also
called the solstices and equinoxes the middle of the seasons,
not the first day of the seasons. Many still prefer this calendar,
which helps them with agricultural practices.
The Summer Solstice (Jun. 21st, Mid-Summer)
is the heart of Summer and would have the most yang (light). The Winter Solstice is the
deepest part of Winter (Midwinter) and has the most yin(darkness).
Notice that the solstices and equinoxes are mid-season days and not the first day of the season.
As the days move away from Midwinter, yin (darkness) diminishes
and yang (light)
increases. This calendar is explained nicely, here, in David Coomler's website.
So, join me and the ancients by calling
the Winter Solstice Midwinter, and
the Summer Solstice Midsummer,
because it is!
