summer solstice 2021

Summer Solstice marks the high point of light in the northern hemisphere - the longest day, the shortest night.

Midsummer celebrations held throughout the United States are largely derived from the cultures of immigrants who arrived from various European nations since the 19th century.

The Lake - Central Park, NYC

With the rise of earth-centered spirituality, many including Unitarian Universalists celebrate the summer solstice as a religious holiday. Seeing how the Big Apple is faring this Father's Day weekend - is cause for fervent prayers indeed.

It felt surreal returning to New York City for the first time since the pandemic shut it down mid March 2020. It felt good to be back to what it was like a decade ago - with less people and traffic. Festive sidewalk booths all lit up and decorated - to accommodate folks outdoors in open air now that the weather has warmed up.

Westside Skyscrapers from Umpire Rock - Central Park, NYC

Concern over New York City’s future is brewing as state lawmakers consider drastic measures that could hinder the city’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. As the biggest city in the US and the worst hit by this pandemic, the rest of the country is looking to see how it fares. 

Manhattan is always about big business - it relies on its tourists, institutions, rentals, and working masses to keep it alive and well. Without its steady and huge stream of consumers and travelers its economic recovery is flagging behind many other states. 

an almost deserted Columbus Circle - midday Friday, 18 June 2021

Winding the clock back to the previous solstice in September, what seeds have we planted then that we now look forward to growing in our gardens this summer? Have we returned to a more natural way of life and a closer connection to Nature? 

By the looks of the gathered crowds in Central Park, it looks like more of us are longing to re-wild - our selves, our lives, our cities. May this be the case rather than a return to the destructive soul devouring destruction that was the status quo. 

Time to return to nature - be a part of it and not be apart from it. 

72nd Street park exit