MID SUMMER - SUMMER SOLSTICE

Summer Solstice (Midsummer) - June 21st

The Summer Solstice, also called Midsummer (and occasionally called Litha) occurs around June 21st - 23rd. The earth is midpoint on her journey around the sun. It is the first day of summer and the longest and strongest day of the year. With the Sun high in the heavens, the powers of light are readily evoked; anything that shadows your soul can be set aflame by the Sun's protective glow. Midsummer celebrates the full powers of life and the beginning of the change from a waxing to a waning year. From this point on, day light begins to decrease and the nights lengthen. Midsummer is both a fire festival (the God aspect) and a water festival (the Goddess aspect). It is the time when the Oak King (the God of the waxing year) is replaced by the Holly King (the God of the waning year). We look forward to the inward-looking peace of the dark.

In Europe, Midsummer was a time for celebration and dancing. There were bonfires to celebrate the Sun, and the people jumped the flames, much as they did at Beltane, making wishes. It was believed that the summer grains would grow only as high as they were able to jump. One of the highlights of these festivals was to roll a burning wheel down a hillside to imitate the action of the sun and for purification of any evil spirits.