As we continue on this journey around the sun, summer 2022 always begins with the solstice on the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. For 2022 that’s Tuesday, June 21, at 5:13 a.m. EDT.

Solstice comes from the Latin words sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still) because the angle of the sun’s rays and the plane of the Earth’s equator appears to stand still. This is most noticeable at the Arctic Circle where the sun hangs on the horizon for 24 hours, which sparked the term “Land of the Midnight Sun.”

Just as winter can bring about Seasonal Affectiveness Disorder also known as SAD and winter depression, which is a form of depression typically at its worst during winter attributed due to lack of sunlight and shorter days. There is a summer form as well. However, for most of us, we tend to feel better and experience at least a slight boost in our overall mood in summer.

Cosmically speaking, the summer solstice is a time for finding balance in your life and the courage to be your very best, boldest self. This is achieved by turning inward seeking the nourishment to grow and evolve. Grow and evolve -- just like nature.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. -- Ecclesiastes 3 KJV

Want to watch the Summer Solstice Live from Stonehenge? English Heritage is livestreaming it for free on Facebook at sunset Monday, June 20, 3:45 p.m. EDT to 5:15 p.m. EDT [90 minutes] then sunrise at 11 p.m. EDT to 12:30 a.m. EDT [also 90 minutes]. Plus at least 30 minutes before and after AND they will be saving it as video on their Facebook page for viewing at your leisure. [Need we point out the times given are our time, not British time? We sure hope we do not!]

If you are at all interested in this prehistoric standing stones monument, there's plenty of info -- and links to various livestreams at the Solstice page on the English Heritage website.

The summer season in our region typically features the usual gamut of weather – storms, flooding, tornadoes and in the more southerly portions of these United States: It’s hurricane season, from June 1 to Nov. 30.

From the National Weather Service: Severe weather in the United States causes numerous deaths and injuries and billions of dollars of damage. In a typical year, more than 1,200 tornadoes occur throughout the United States and nearly 12,000 reports of wind and hail are received from local law enforcement and the public. National Weather Service forecasters are the first line of defense in predicting severe weather. The NWS page gives information about, air quality, beach hazards, floods, heat, lightning, safe boating, sun[ultraviolet radiation], thunderstorms, tornadoes, and, of course, hurricanes.

The National Safety Council deals with such typical summer experiences as heat, bugs, playgrounds, fireworks, water safety, bicycling, skateboarding, boating and pedestrian safety.

Among the many safety topics available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website is extreme heat. In a nutshell it’s: stay cool, stay hydrated, stay informed! Even though heat-related deaths and illnesses are preventable, more than 600 people in the United States are killed by extreme heat every year.

At ready.gov, they feature a preparedness calendar. For June they include information on Pet Preparedness, Summer Safety / Extreme Heat and National Lightning Safety Preparedness Week. For July it’s Fireworks Safety and Extreme Heat. August wraps up the summer with guidance on Back to School: Children & Youth Preparedness.

Last but not least, our disaster preparedness section remains available to all.