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by John Riise
Friday, June 21, marked the summer solstice. From here on out until September, it's officially summer. Lord only knows all the strange things that occurred in pagan celebration of this date over the centuries.
Speaking of pagan celebrations, June 21 also marked the observation of the Summer Sailstice. This is a new 'holiday' for sailors that is - honestly - about as wholesome and anti-pagan as is possible to imagine.
The whole concept is for sailors everywhere (in the Northern Hemisphere - it's the winter solstice down under) to participate in a hemisphere-wide celebration of sailing on the longest sailing day of the year.
Participation is coordinated at www.summersailstice. com, where sailors are encouraged to simply go sailing on June 21 on whatever body of water is most convenient - and to sign up for a chance to win prizes offered by marine businesses.
The new idea has left a few sailors confused since there are no clear rules, destinations or other requirements. For that matter, there's no way to check that you actually went sailing or not, either. (But if you win something and didn't go sailing, there are pagan rituals that will make you wish you did.)
Fortunately, most sailors are unfailingly honest – and smart enough to catch on that they simply need to get aboard their boat wherever they are and go sailing. Like any holiday, exactly how you celebrate is up to you. But since you asked, why not invite some friends or even co-workers along after work and make it an experience to remember - even that guy from accounting who's always rubbed you the wrong way?
Good will toward men isn't just for Christmas anymore. Follow the sail with cold refreshments and a barbecue aboard and you'll make your guests' month.
Now in its second year, Summer Sailstice got almost 400 sailboats from 36 states and 5 Canadian provinces out on the water this year! Over 100 of those were in California where the event started.
In 2003, Summer Sailstice will move to a Saturday. The long-term goal is to have this become a 'real' holiday for sailors so that by 2005 when June 21st falls on a Monday all sailors will get the day off and have a Summer Sailstice three-day weekend!
(Sightings, Latitude 38 July 2002)
