THIRTEEN THINGS ABOUT
SUMMER SOLSTICE
1. The word "solstice" is derived from the Latin sol-stitium, for sun-standing.
2. On June 21 and 22, we will have nearly 17 hours of daylight to enjoy.
3. The summer solstice produces the shortest sunset and sunrise of the year.
4. At this time of year, the full moon (June 30) will appear low above the southern horizon, making it appear larger and more colorful than usual.
5. In ancient Sweden, a tree was set up and decorated in each town to celebrate summer solstice. The villagers would dance around the tree and females would bathe in the local river. The ritual was supposed to bring rain for the crops.
6. In ancient Egypt, summer solstice was considered the beginning of the new year. It coincided with the flooding season when the soil would be fertilized and water would quench the arid Nile Valley.
7. North American Indians revered the summer solstice. Several Native American tribes marked the solstice with rites and ritual celebrations. The Sioux tribe would perform the Sundance in a specially constructed lodge and the Hopi Indians held ceremonies with masked dancers in brightly colored costumes. The dancers represented the spirits of rain and fertility.
8. In ancient Rome, the festival of Vestalia lasted from June 7 - 15. It was held in honor of the Roman Goddess of the hearth, Vesta. Married women were able to enter the shrine of Vesta during the festival. At other times of the year, only the vestal virgins were permitted inside.
9. The axis of Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England is aligned with the sunrise at the summer solstice, and Druids and other Pagans have gathered here at different points in history to celebrate the longest day of the year.
10. The sun does not set at the North Pole today. There is 24 hours of sunlight.
11. Midsummer’s Eve is also called St John’s Eve. The official version says that St John was assigned this feast because he was born six months before Christ (who gets the other great solar festival, the winter solstice). In ancient times, a ritual sacrifice was made to the goddess of midsummer.
12. Midsummer Eve is also known as Herb Evening. This is the most potent night (and midnight the most potent time) for gathering magical herbs, particularly St John’s wort, vervain, mugwort, mistletoe, ivy and fern seed. In some legends, a special plant, which is guarded by demons, flowers only on this one night a year. Successfully picking it gives one magical powers, like being able to understand the language of the trees.
13. "Midsummer is the moment when the warmth and beauty of the year are at their height as the sun reaches the highest point of its arc in the sky. The summer solstice is the longest day of the year and a time in which the humming fullness of summer seems endless. The rippling transition into the warmth of the year has passed and the cooling winds of autumn are yet to be.
In these days of sunshine and deep blue skies it is difficult to accept the darkness which must befall the light half of the year at midsummer. The wish for warm moonlit nights and soft sunny breezes, of days from such seasons passed, is met by the fading bloom of summer's flower - time and tide wait for no one. Pause and listen to the song of the birds of summer, breathe the fragrance of a beautiful flower or take a moonlit walk. Soon the shadows of the coming season will turn inward once more." - Ian Mowll
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