THE WORD "SOLSTICE" FROM THE LATIN "SOLSTITIUM," MEANING "SUN STANDING STILL". AN APPARENT PAUSE OF THE SUN AT ITS HIGHEST POINT BEFORE MOVING SOUTHWARD AGAIN. ASTRONOMICAL SUMMER BEGINS AT THE SUMMER SOLSTICE, THE LONGEST DAY OF THE YEAR. THE DAY IS ASSOCIATED WITH CHANGE, NATURE, AND NEW BEGINNINGS. ANCIENT GREEK CALENDARS MARK THE START OF THE NEW YEAR WITH THE SOLSTICE.