Solstices and Equinoxes: What they represent to Mississippi Masons
The longest day in 2022 will be today, June 21, 2022, traditionally known as the first day of Summer. However, as the actual time occurred at 0413 am this morning, we will NOT be in strict observance today. Instead, we use the event to honor one of our two Patron Saints, it being St. John the Baptist day and the Summer (June) Solstice together by having our Stated Communication on June 24, 2022, at 7pm at the Jackson York Rite facility.
All Mississippi Master Masons are invited to attend. We request that all planning to attend, please adhere to the Mississippi Lodge of Research DCXL dress code: Dark suit and tie.
While solstices and equinoxes are related, they happen at contrasting times of the year. Just remember that solstices are the longest and shortest days of the year, while equinoxes occur when the day and night are equally as long. Of course, this perspective is based upon us being in the northern hemisphere, as such, we identify them as either the Summer/June or Winter/December solstice.
The Latin words, “sol” or sun and “stitium” (still or stopped) are used to define the solstice. Our ancestors observed that during the warmer months of the year (summer) the sun progressed across the sky from north to south and then the weather began to cool. And the cycle continued. During which time it had the appearance of stopping. Hence, what became known as the astronomical summer was of a longer duration than other days that appeared to shorten or lengthen, particularly so during the days immediately before, during, and after the event.
Humans have celebrated and observed the solstices as early as the Stone Age. It has been continuously celebrated in different manners even until today, as some still celebrate with holidays, feasts, toasts, songs, dances, and bonfires. There are even Masonic dates of importance directly addressed, as well as some of the “kindred sciences” (Rosicrucian) that recognize and have certain practices associated with the practice. The best example, the Grand Lodge of Mississippi addresses two Festivals; St. John the Baptist (June 24th ) and St. John the Evangelist, (December 27th ) in our Constitution and book of Masonic law: Williams Digest of Laws. Both dates are associated with the solstices, the summer-June, and the winter-December.
Interestingly, the practice of observing the solstices pre-dated both Christianity and Freemasonry in the use of church saints, both of which will be addressed in presentations at the MLOR meeting this Friday evening at 7pm. More on this topic at the MLOR Stated Communication.
Light refreshments will be available beginning at 6pm in the Lodge Hall.
