The summer solstice is the longest day of the year and marks the beginning of summer.
Sometimes it may not feel like the sun is very much ‘on our side’. It can be difficult to see, let alone to celebrate! Even so, today is a very special day where the sun is concerned – it is the Summer Solstice, an event that our ancestors have been celebrating in a multitude of ways throughout history.
Here are just a few amazing facts about the Summer Solstice, Midsummer’s Eve, Litha, the Longest Day, All-Couples Day, Alban Heruin…
- The summer solstice is when the sun reaches its northernmost point in the sky – the furthest it can be from the equator. For the science lovers amongst us, this is when the Earth’s axial tilt is most inclined towards the sun.
- The term ‘solstice’ comes from the Latin word ‘solstitium’, meaning ‘to stop the sun’. During the solstice, the sun rises north of east and sets north of west, meaning that it sits in the sky for longer, appearing almost to stop. This is also why it is recognised as the longest day of the year as we get the most hours of sunlight.
- The southern hemisphere celebrates their longest summer day in December.
- ‘Midsummer’s Eve’ was once believed to be the single night of the year when supernatural beings would roam the earth. In rural England, villagers would ‘set the watch’ by lighting bonfires that were thought to ward away evil spirits. Leaping over the fires was also thought to bring luck for the rest of the year.
- In northern Europe, the summer solstice is known as ‘the day that never ends’.
- In Christianity, the first day of summer marks the festival of St John the Baptist.
- The first full moon of June is called the Honey Moon, the best time to harvest honey from bees. This honey was often used to make wine and served at pagan wedding ceremonies, possibly the origin of the word ‘honeymoon.’
- Solstices do not really mark the start of winter or summer, but are actually the midpoint of each season – we will (hopefully) be feeling the effects of the solstice in the coming months as the earth takes time to warm up.
- Bonfires were (and remain) a common feature of Solstice celebration as they symbolise the light and energy of the sun, helping to keep the fire burning for longer.
- Ancient sites such as Stonehenge and Avebury Stone Circle attract thousands of people every year to celebrate the Summer Solstice. At Stonehenge during the Solstice, the sun aligns with the central Altar stone, the Heel stone and the Slaughter stone.
- Summer Solstice is also known as ‘All-Couples Day’ and it is believed that the Solstice marks the luckiest time to get married. The month of June is named after ‘Juno’ the Roman goddess of marriage and for druids, the Solstice symbolises the wedding of heaven and the earth.
Whether you choose to celebrate the Summer Solstice with flowers, food, bonfires or religion, one thing is agreed – it is a time to step outdoors and enjoy being outside (as if we needed an excuse)!
We’ll be going for a long walk in the Midsummer sun. How will you celebrate?
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| Solstice LongestDay FirstDayOfSummer Summer Summer2014 Stonehenge Midsummer Summertime SummerFun | Litha | Happy | SunsetDay | Travel | WinterSolstice | 21 june |
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