The Summer Solstice is the peak of summer. It is the longest day of the year and will occur on June 20 at 3:51 PM in 2024.
Many of us think of the Summer Solstice as the start of Summer, but in actuality the Summer Solstice is the "high noon" of the year.
Summer is traditionally held to "start" somewhere about half way between the vernal, or Spring, Equinox in March and the Summer Solstice in June. This puts the "start" of summer somewhere around May 1-- May Day, or Maifest.
As we approach the Summer Solstice, the Sun warms the earth for longer periods and we are at the "mid day" of the year. In fact the Summer Solstice has been known as midsummer since the Neolithic era. It was typically marked by Celtic, Slavic and Germanic people by lighting bonfires, intended to boost the sun’s strength for the remainder of the crop season. Festivities included dancing, singing, drinking, cleaning house, lighting bonfires, and collecting flowers.
Many of these rituals arose from the belief that Midsummer was a magical time of good fortune and healing. Bonfires were lit and loud behavior was encouraged to drive away evil or mischievous spirits. Magic was thought to be strongest during the summer solstice and myths told of the world turning upside down or the sun standing still at midsummer. It was seen as a time when when spirits and fairies could contact humans, when humans could exceed the usual limitations of their world.
Bathing in natural springs and decorating houses with flowers and plants brought good health, as water and greenery were believed to hold special healing powers on Midsummer’s Eve.
...Continued next week