[ExI] Happy Solstice!

[BillK]

On 6/23/07, Alex Ramonsky wrote:
> You're probably right [and thanks Amara for the super links] but that's
> not my question.  :  )
> My question is, why is it _called_ "midsummer solstice" in cultures that
> believe it's the beginning of summer? It seems as foolish as saying
> "Please enter through the middle door"  meaning the one at the start, or
> "I'll meet you midweek" when one means Monday. This started because I
> heard a parent say "Midsummer solstice is the start of summer" to a
> child and I could see the confusion on the kid's face as he tried to
> work it out! These Romans are crazy!  :  )



Ooops! Sorry for that blank message.

The sun positions defined the mid-points of the four seasons.

The temperature changes lag behind these points.

But not the growing seasons. For farming communities, the midsummer
solstice was mid-way through the growing season, heading for the
autumn harvest.

BillK