Summer Solstice (Litha)

The longest day of the year

Light is at its peak. The longest day of the year is both a high point and a quiet turn: from tomorrow the days start to shorten. A good moment to look at what has already grown and say yes to it.

What's happening in the sky

Earth's axis is tilted about 23.4° to its orbit. On the June solstice the Northern Hemisphere leans furthest toward the Sun: it climbs highest in the sky and stays up longest, which gives the longest day and the shortest night.

The word comes from the Latin solstitium, "the sun stands still": for a few days the sunrise point seems to stop on the horizon before it turns back. So the day carries two meanings at once, the peak of the light and the start of the slow road toward autumn.

What is a solstice?

Twice a year the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky (the summer solstice, the longest day) or its lowest (the winter solstice, the shortest day). The cause is the tilt of the Earth's axis. For thousands of years these days have been anchor points of calendars and festivals across cultures.

What is the Wheel of the Year?

The Wheel of the Year is an annual cycle of eight festivals marking the movement of the Sun and the turning of the seasons: four “solar” points (two solstices and two equinoxes) and four cross-quarter festivals between them. Together they form a clear map of the natural year.

Your day today

Night ends:02:52(5h 56m ago)

Nautical dawn:03:22(5h 26m ago)

Dawn:03:52(4h 56m ago)

Blue hour ends:04:02(4h 46m ago)

Sunrise:04:18(4h 29m ago)

Sunrise ends:04:21(4h 27m ago)

Golden hour ends:04:55(3h 53m ago)

Solar noon:09:33(in 45m)

Golden hour starts:14:11(in 5h 23m)

Sunset starts:14:44(in 5h 57m)

Sunset:14:47(in 5h 59m)

Blue hour starts:15:03(in 6h 16m)

Dusk:15:14(in 6h 26m)

Nautical dusk:15:44(in 6h 56m)

Night:16:14(in 7h 26m)

Moon right now

Tradition layers

Wicca

The Wiccan festival of the summer solstice — Midsummer. The day of peak life force, gratitude and protection, when the Sun is at the top of its path.

What it means for you today

The solstice is not about racing to get things done. It is about noticing how much is already done, thanking your body and your path, and choosing without hurry where to point your light next. A fork you walk gently, not a verdict.

Setting a courseGratitudeMature strength

Ritual for this event

Related modules

Next solar point