Locals to Welcome Summer's First Sunrise

The following press release was issued by Lynn Nadeau:

Wednesday, June 20 marks the start of summer. The solstice occurs in the early evening that day - everywhere on Earth.  Once again, we shall gather to watch the sun rise at 5 a. m. in a  ceremony at the

This ceremony of joy, learning, and appreciation will be held to mark the change in seasons at the Sun Circle. Everyone - of all ages and from all places - is invited to join us at the Sun Circle.  Science, art, mystery and love of life come together as the sunrise heralds summer's start.

Don Orne, gongmaster for the celebration, explains, "The Summer Solstice this year will emphasize the Goddess energy harmonizing , balancing and creating a bright new spiritual future for humanity. It will embody Unity Consciousness by bringing forth the love of oneself and others as well as for the  love of the earth and all of creation. It will promote service to others with consciousness expansion and responsible co-creation. In short, we wish to promote a gentleness with our own hearts and each other."

Orne will be joined by Bruce Greenwald, sculptor and architect, who will answer questions about the Circle and astronomer Jim Keating who will comment on the solar system and astronomical dynamics.

"During the Summer Solstice," said Keating, "the sun, appearing to travel along the ecliptic, reaches the point where it is farthest north of the celestial equator. So days are longest and nights shortest. Until 1975 the solstice fell on June 22 or 21; then only on June 21; in 2012 it begins falling sometimes on June 20. At the solstice, the sun enters the astrological sign Cancer, i.e. its longitude is 90 degrees. But astronomically it has not quite reached the end of Taurus."

Krena, who has photographed the Sun Circle since its completion on September 22, 2009, commented, "This is the earliest but also the warmest time to experience the sunrise at the Sun Circle when shards of sunlight spread on the basalt columns. No two equinox or solstice sunrises have ever been the same, but the experience of witnessing the event with the community, is always special."

CIA Vice President Sheryl Levenson of Swampscott agreed and urges, "Getting up that early may be difficult for some, but well worth it once you witness the gorgeous sun rise from this beautiful local park inside its spectacular sun circle."

Beach Bluff Park, owned and cared for by the CIA, has become a place for people to observe the sea and the sky, to access the beach and to sit and contemplate in peace. New plantings have been installed in the last two seasons under the direction of Roberta Levy, landscape designer and CIA Board Member from Lynn and Marblehead landscape designer Robert Dempster.  The park has been a delight to all with carefully placed benches and paths, new low seagrass plantings, signage, and a dog-friendly area.

The CIA, its membership and activities, is open to everyone. Volunteers work together to help plan and execute the CIA's mission of preserving, protecting and improving the scenic, historic and natural character of our open and public spaces.

The CIA maintains a website at www.ciabeachbluff.org; membership, parking, plank and bench purchases and other information can be found on this site or through the CIA Agents who will be at the parking lot on the corner of Seaview and Atlantic on weekends until July 4th - from then on they will be there every day. The agents this summer are: Alexandra Gerard, Jake Junda, Cole Guyer, Kate Hewig and Jake Marsden.