Summer solstice #phenology?

The inimitable Joni Mitchell wrote and recorded a song that we often think of at these turning points of the year. We first heard it sung by Tom Rush on his album, named after the song, The Circle Game. Lyrics and guitar tablature are available at Mitchell's web site.

male Baltimore oriole at grape feeder

Photo by J. Harrington

We're not sure if it comes under the heading of phenology, but we noticed that, in our North Country, the Baltimore orioles returned to our feeders within a week of the Summer solstice, known as Litha by the Pagans and Celts. We'll go out on a limb (heh, heh) and suggest the bright orange of the orioles, matching the color of the sun's globe, makes the return seem timely for the celebration of Litha.

As climate change affects local phenology in different ways, we've not yet seen anything that suggests the timing of the equinoxes or solstices may change. Since earth's circle about the sun helps drive climate, and not vice versa, that makes sense. We've occasionally thought about relating our own area's phenology to the Wheel of the Year. The use of such a natural framework, superimposed over our Gregorian calendar, feels like a way to gain additional insight into natural patterns at a meso scale.

Today, in honor of the solstice, instead of our "typical" poem, we'll close with a solstice prayer. As we look about us these days, it occurs to us that each of us can all use all the prayers we can get. Enjoy the Solstice and the Summer.

may the sun bless us all, every day

Photo by J. Harrington

Litha Prayer to the Sun

The sun is high above us
shining down upon the land and sea,
making things grow and bloom.
Great and powerful sun,
we honor you this day
and thank you for your gifts.
Ra, Helios, Sol Invictus, Aten, Svarog,
you are known by many names.
You are the light over the crops,
the heat that warms the earth,
the hope that springs eternal,
the bringer of life.
We welcome you, and we honor you this day,
celebrating your light,
as we begin our journey once more
into the darkness. 

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