The name is derived from the Latin sol ( sun ) and sistere ( to stand still ) . During the solstice , the Sun stands still ; that is , the apparent movement of the Sun 's path north or south comes to a stop before reversing direction . The name is derived from the Latin sol ( sun ) and sistere ( to stand still ) , because at the solstices , the Sun stands still in declination ; that is , the apparent movement of the Sun 's path north or south comes to a stop before reversing direction .