Spring Equinox 2025: March 20, 2025

June 20 is the summer solstice date for 2025. What is the Summer Solstice? it is the longest day of the year. It happens when the earth’s tilt moves towards the sun creating more reception of the sun’s light. It is counterposed to the Winter Solstice which is the shortest day of the year. 

Two mid points - the autumnal equinox and the vernal equinox - are the only equal light/dark points in the year because on these days the sun rises due east and sets due west. Roughly speaking these dates occur on Mar 20 and Sept 23. 

Why are these seasons important? They are important in keeping track of our seasonal calendar. Although changing in certain ways, our seasons - even in Southern California - influence much of our day to day existence. For starts, this makes a difference to us by influencing what plants will grow in certain seasons. And so the seasons influence what crops local farmers are able to raise and what fresh fruits and vegetables we can expect to choose from while shopping. 

Seasons have their characteristic energy. Summer, which we’re beginning to enjoy now, brings a kind of openness and expansion. Just as heat melts ice, expands asphalt, and ripens juicy tomatoes that same expansive energy is universally present to all materials even our human bodies: our skin darkens, our blood moves more freely, and our muscles expand in the heat of Summer. 

Light is a spiritually empowered aspect of Summer. Light brings acceptance, wisdom, vision, and the Shinto Goddess of light - Amaterasu - is a symbol of compassion. It may be that the Summer light supports more communication and community based action than the cold of Winter. 

It has been a very busy year for me. Now I am exhibiting some of my artwork in local exhibitions. As I write, a new painting I created at the beginning of the year - N. Poeticus - hangs in the PVAA Tri Annual exhibition at Claremont City Hall. N. Poeticus is the name of a white paper narcissus which is a courageous bulb that send up a shoot to bloom even when covered by snow; it is first up. I was impressed by the courage of such a tiny plant to bring blossoms to the world as a sign that warmer days were on the way. Nature speak is amazingly fortifying if we can only learn to understand it.

Another exhibition I have entered is the PVAA's Open Juried Show at the Alexander Hughes Center in Claremont California. Here you can see the end result of my many Cosmic Dragon's I created in 2024. It is called Cosmic Cloud Dragon. It is a subtle version of my 24' creation of last year. People may not be interested in dragons but you can read last year's writings to understand why I think they are important. The Founder of Aikido viewed himself as a Dragon King and, in my book, The Hidden Power of Aikido, this is explained - worth a read for all Aikido students.

Two more of my artworks are displayed in the AAIE's Ontario Art Expo where my Silver Moon Bamboo and Lotus Moon are on display in the Rancho Cucamonga Goldy Lewis Community at Centeral Park.

Hopefully my artwork will be accepted for yet another show which I have entered. I will announce it if it happens.

And, as always, my truncated Cosmic Dragon is on display at the Gallery SOHO located on First Street in Claremont California. It is the Gallery of my association: Pomona Valley Art Association.

And I would like to announce an upcoming show: Young Artist's Show which will also take place at the Alexander Hughes Center from September to December of this year. This show is important because it is designed to support and encourage young people that are interested in the expression through art. It is FREE to young artists in Junior High and High School throughout the Pomona Valley. They need not be a member of PVAA, they just need to an artwork (up to 3) they'd like to share. If you know of a young person, send them to PVAA.net to learn more about this exhibition. It is a wonderful opportunity for someone young to participate in an exhibition in a City building, and to possibly win a prize - and at no cost to them.

And lastly, students, I want to caution you to be careful as this world faces some darkness on its political front. It is a fight for light and this is the season for Light, so take it and run with hit. During this difficult time in the political world, it is important to breath. Summer is a good time to practice breath meditation, or at least some kind of focused practice of breathing in your daily life. Breathing helps to relax all our systems which helps us stay healthy; to counteract anxiety, and to expand your energy. If you are interested in any of these events, check out "events" on my web page susanperry.info. Also visit "exhibits" or "events" on PVAA.net another web page I oversee.

Enjoy your Summer Solstice! Plant trees! Create a Victory Garden! Stay safe by being Balanced!

• Susan Perry