The Solstices and the Equinoxes are related to the seasons. Many cultures have planned their holidays around these occurrences in the sky. The word solstice is derived from the Latin word Sol meaning Sun and Sistere meaning to stand still, because during the solstices, the Sun stands still in declination; that is, the seasonal movement of the Sun's path comes to a stop before reversing direction. A solstice is an astronomical event that occurs twice each year as the Sun reaches its highest or lowest excursion relative to the celestial equator . The day of the solstice is either the longest day of the year in summer or the shortest day of the year in winter for any place outside the tropics.
At the times when the Sun crosses the equator the days and night s are of nearly equal length at all latitudes and so we call these dates the equinoxes meaning 'equal night'. In March, as the Sun moves northwards along its orbit, this is called the vernal equinox and in September when the Sun moves southwards we refer to it as the autumnal equinox. The table below shows the dates and times of both the vernal and autumnal equinoxes and the solstices for the year 2015.
Summer Solstice
-June 21 2015 16:38 GMT• 2015 eclipse This is the longest day of the year. This occurs in June when the Sun transits the zodiac sign of Cancer. Astrologically speaking this is said to be the gateway to life. Cancer rules the material world.
Autumn Equinox
-September 23 2015 08:20 GMT
• 2015 eclipse During Autumn Equinox, the length of day and night are equal, but day light starts decreasing. The autumn equinox falls in Libra - the sign of balance. 2015 eclipse Astrologically this represents the balancing of ones' ego and temper as one matures of age.
Winter Solstice
-December 22 2015 04:38 GMT
• 2015 eclipse Winter solstice happens in December and has the longest night of the year. The day would be the shortest of the year. The Sun would be traversing the sign of Capricorn during this time. This represents total materialism in astrological terms.
Spring Equinox
-March 20 2015 22:45 GMT
• 2015 eclipse At the Spring Equinox, the length of day and night are once again equal, but daylight starts increasing. In northern hemispheres, the equinox falls in Aries. 2015 eclipse Astrologically this represents the beginning of life and its growth. It also signifies the aspect of blooming in all its glory.
