SEVEN days from now, it will be the Summer Solstice. In the Northern Hemisphere, the Sun is higher in the sky throughout this day, and its rays strike Earth at a more direct angle, creating more sunlight on this day then any other. In North America, summer solstice begins on June 21, 2013 at 1:04 A.M. EDT
As a major celestial event, the Summer Solstice results in the longest day and the shortest night of the year. Sol + stice derives from a combination of Latin words meaning sol = "sun" and stice = "to stand still." It is said that the sun rises higher and higher until it seems to stand still in the sky.
Above is a photo of Mount Timpanogos. It is the second highest mountain in Utah's Wasatch Range and the 47th most prominent mountain in the United States. The name translates as "rock" (tumpi) and "water mouth" or "canyon" (panogos). It would make for the perfect hike to ascend on the Summer Solstice.
A wise friend of mine said:
"Observing the Vernal, Autumnal and Solstices was something done from ancient times, in ceremony and in ritual. Whole cities were built aligned to the cardinal directions of the compass and the lights of heaven. The lights of heaven were given to us first as “signs” and secondly as “seasons.” Don’t let them pass by unnoticed. Otherwise you note less than even the plants and the animals whose life cycles and behavior acknowledge the passing of such events.
"Nature testifies endlessly of the Lord. It also invites us endlessly to turn back to Him. This continuing patience and enduring invitiation shown in nature is a reminder of how loving and patient, how persistent and committed the Lord is to our salvation. Salvation is predicated upon the same, universal standard for all who would return to Him. In that respect it is as exact and unchanging as the cycles of nature. Despite its exacting requirements, it is endlessly inviting and continually encouraging us to accept that standard and to live it. Not just to say, but to do."
"In this world, we are always in motion. Always either growing or receding in light."
"So also with the sun. From solstice to equinox, to solstice to equinox, it grows, then dims. Never static. It is impossible to freeze the light. It will grow or it will fade, It is not possible for an individual, nor a collection of individuals, to remain static. They are either involved with restoring truth or in apostasy from it; never merely "preserving". All great truths are simple, and they are testified of in nature as well as in scripture."
It would be good to plan accordingly if you intend to do something, then, to show Him that you want to return to the Light. The Summer Solstice is a symbolic day to be in more direct alignment and a day of "most light".
Sidenote:
Summer Solstice is believed by many to be the day that the Savior was conceived. In an article by John Pratt (see link HERE) he has pinpointed the conjunction of the constellations Jupiter and Venus - the two constellations representing Father and Mother coming together as a sign,and that the Son of the most light, was conceived on the day of the most light.
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Summer solstice, June 21, would be the approximate time of conception for a child born on April 6. Smart man, John.
ReplyDeleteJR
I don't mean to rain on your parade, but if you put April 6 into a reverse due date calendar, you get July 14.
ReplyDeleteNow, I wouldn't be opposed to the idea that the Earth has been knocked off it's axis or it's orbit has changed in the last 2000 years so that when Christ WAS conceived it was on the summer solstice. That would also put his birth at the spring equinox--at it's time--nine months later.
Interesting timing. And the lunar cycle matching a woman's cycle so closely. Very interesting to ponder.
The "wise friend" quoted is Denver Snuffer, if anyone out their cares about attribution.
ReplyDeleteAnon @ 5:04
ReplyDeleteI'm terribly disappointed to hear you say that, and I think Denver even more so. Name dropping and throwing out a name as an authority is spiritually lazy. I would hope that no one would find more importance in this now that it's "Denver" who said it.
That being said, I felt there was truth about this when I first read it, which is why I suggested that possibly the summer solstice was not always in June, but in July. I've also read somewhere that Christ's birth was not on April 6, but was in March. So if He was conceived on June 14 and born on March, 21 (or thereabouts) that would also fit.
But being conceived on June 14 and being born on April 6 just doesn't fit, unless Mary was pregnant for 10 months. (Which is possible, I'm just saying it doesn't fit well.)
That would be a very overdue baby! Though still possible as some pregnancies go 43 weeks and are perfectly healthy. Love all your thoughts about the solstice.
ReplyDeleteTo clarify a couple of the comments.
ReplyDelete1. If you read the post carefully..Summer Solstice is the week of June 21 (not the 14th which Brett wrote in his comment). Maybe I should have been more clear.. but the first sentence reads in 7 days it will be the Summer Solstice.
2. I don't want to "belabor" the observation by John Pratt (no pun intended) but if you count 40 weeks from June 22.. you arrive at the date March 30. Add one more week and it is April 6. With all of our children, my wife who goes naturally has gone over at least 1 to 3 weeks. I have heard that only five percent of babies are born on their actual due date, and around 50 percent are overdue and thrive well into the tenth month. And first time mothers gave birth on average 5 days over their due date.
3. As far as attribution.. I gave them to my friend since they aren't mine.. but if others want a name, the anonymous commententor is correct. Furthermore: here are the footnotes as well:
Remembering the Covenant: Volume 1 pg 66
Remembering the Covenant: Volume 4 pg 1124
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And here is one more quote.. author Denver Snuffer:
"Noon at the summer solstice is a symbol of the perfect day."
Remembering the Convenant Volume 2 pg 772
David
If you start with April 6 and count back 40 weeks (a typical normal gestation) you arrive at a "typical" conception date of June 30.
ReplyDeleteFor a baby conceived on June 21 to be born on April 6 would mean the baby was approx. 8-9 days overdue.
First babies are typically born approx. 7-10 days late due to the uterus and cervix being "new" and requiring a bit more time to stretch and allow birth than with subsequent births.
There is no contradiction or mystery involved in a baby conceived on June 21-22 being born on April 6, especially in a time when C Sections were unheard of. Late babies are not even unusual in our day.
I am a doctor, I have delivered more than 100 babies and been involved in the birth of several hundred more.
A first baby born 7-10 days late is quite normal.
JR
Just for fun... the 40 weeks begins 2 weeks prior to conception. A June 22 conception would put you at mid-march for 40 weeks. April 6 would be 43 weeks. Still probable, but a very well done baby! Maybe that's why Mary wanted to go on the journey. Someone told her that horseback riding could finally get her labor started. :)
ReplyDeleteElizabeth,
ReplyDeleteRight you are! It's 38 wks from conception and 40 wks from first day last menstrual period.
Perhaps Mary, being "great with child", was ready for that donkey ride at 3 wks past her due date!
Thank you.
JR