It’s been a long week, and we know just what we need to kick back: lots and lots of daylight.
So if today feels like it’s been a long day, that’s because it has been. In fact, it’s been the longest day of the year! The sun appears farthest in the north today, making today the Summer Solstice.
TGIS, amirite?
For ancient Egyptians, the Summer Solstice marked the beginning of the Nile’s great flood season. During the Pharaonic Period, the Summer Solstice also coincided with the first appearance of Sirius, the “dog star,” which was also recognized as the beginning of the Egyptian New Year.
It was a time of major celebration in Egypt, and people were given small
faience water flasks inscribed with a hieroglyphic text that read “Happy New Year!”
We’ll keep our Gregorian NYE, but we don’t need much reason to celebrate the weekend. Happy Solstice!
