In the spirit of Wikipedia, we conjure up the past to speak about an event that our myopic post-postmodern society typically shields us from experiencing: The solstitium, the sun's momentary standstill.

The ancient philosopher, natural historian and astronomer, Pliny, wrote about the solstitium in his now famous work, Natural History. The word literally means 'The sun stands still' and from a certain perspective, maybe from a geocentric, existential phenomenological perspective, perhaps it's true.

Now, Pliny was a citizen of the ancient Roman Empire where their philosophers were known to stare at the sun, but for gardeners all over the northern half of the globe, today is a major day of celebration, full of water witching festivals, bonfires and barbecues, the harvesting and perhaps most telling: the venerated feasting on the last of the cool weather, springtime vegetables.

Most of us no longer look at the sun, at least not directly in the eye. But we still turn to the sun for its power to make us happy. As with many traditions dating back to the first cultures, we learn a few things, one being how to grow food enough for feasting. To which we celebrate each year, the "return of the sun" full of promise that all our warm days will be filled with happy, productive plants leaving humans with much time and health for singing, reveling and all types of dancing.

Happy Summer Solstice!