summer solstice traditions

Traditional ways to celebrate the summer solstice

Build a bonfire to burn a witch, like the Danish. Burning a witch effigy is a Danish midsummer tradition (Dreamstime) ...
Collect herbs and have a dance, like the Swedish. ...
Join Europe-wide Saint John's Festival celebrations. ...
Practice ancient rituals at Stonehenge.

How do you celebrate the summer solstice?

To make the most of the summer solstice, celebrate the light and nature by engaging in outdoor activities like making a flower crown, working in the garden, or playing in the water. You can find balance on the solstice by meditating, doing yoga, or starting a gratitude journal.

What cultures celebrate summer solstice?

Modern Day Celebrations

In northern European countries like Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland, Midsummer is a festive celebration. When the summer days are at their longest, and in the north it is the time of the Midnight Sun, festivals generally celebrate the summer and the fertility of the Earth.

What do you eat on summer solstice?

Any food you provide should be Sun-colored, and perhaps round." Some traditional foods involving such round, sun-colored fruits and vegetables include pumpernickel bread, mead, and grilled foods that use an open flame to represent the sun.

What is going on during the summer solstice?

At the summer solstice, the Sun travels the longest path through the sky, and that day therefore has the most daylight. When the summer solstice happens in the Northern Hemisphere, the North Pole is tilted about 23.4° (23°27´) toward the Sun.

What does the summer solstice symbolize?

It Symbolizes Prosperity, Extravagance, & Good Spirits

In earlier times, the summer solstice (AKA Midsummer) marked the beginning of the season that contains the utmost bounty, abundance, and beauty. Our ancestors spent the entirety of spring cultivating the land and restocking themselves with food.

Who celebrates the solstice?

The sacred day is also called Yule to pagans celebrating the birth of the new solar year, according to Circle Sanctuary, a prominent pagan group in America. Dozens of pagans and druids head to Stonehenge, an iconic site in England, to pay tribute to the sun during the solstice.

Where should I go for summer solstice?

Where are the best places to celebrate summer solstice 2020?

Stonehenge, Wiltshire. Over the course of many years, the summer solstice has become synonymous with Stonehenge. ...
Little Moreton Hall, Cheshire. ...
Glastonbury Tor, Somerset. ...
Ben Nevis, Scotland. ...
Avebury Henge, Wiltshire.

What religion celebrates the solstice?

The Pagan celebration of Winter Solstice (also known as Yule) is one of the oldest winter celebrations in the world. Ancient people were hunters and spent most of their time outdoors.

Is Summer Solstice A Midsummer?

What is the summer solstice? The summer solstice occurs in June in the Northern Hemisphere and marks midsummer: the 'longest day' and 'shortest night' of the year.

What do Pagans call the Summer Solstice?

Summer Solstice (Litha)

Midsummer is one of the four solar holidays and is considered the turning point at which summer reaches its height and the sun shines longest. Among the Wiccan sabbats, Midsummer is preceded by Beltane, and followed by Lammas or Lughnasadh.

Why is the summer solstice important?

The Northern Hemisphere receives more daylight than any other day of the year on the summer solstice. This day marks the start of astronomical summer and the tipping point at which days start to become shorter and nights longer. ... Different cultures and religious traditions have different names for the summer solstice.

What is the Swedish midsummer?

Midsummer celebration. Midsummer takes place in June and is a celebration of the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. It is one of the most celebrated holidays in Sweden. A maypole is created and raised during the day, which people gather around to dance and sing.

What is special about summer solstice?

The day that the Earth's North Pole is tilted closest to the sun is called the summer solstice. This is the longest day (most daylight hours) of the year for people living in the northern hemisphere. It is also the day that the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky.

What happens during a solstice?

A solstice is an event that occurs when the Sun appears to reach its most northerly or southerly excursion relative to the celestial equator on the celestial sphere. Two solstices occur annually, around June 21 and December 21.

What is the exact time of the summer solstice?

Summer is here at last. The summer solstice – the exact moment when the sun is at its highest point in the sky each year – is at 5:44 p.m. EDT June 20. This marks the beginning of astronomical summer in the Northern Hemisphere.

What does the solstice mean?

solstice(Noun) One of the two points in the ecliptic at which the sun is furthest from the celestial equator. This corresponds to one of two days in the year when the day is either longest or shortest. Etymology: From solstitium, from sol + stitium (as in English solar and resist), from sisto, both from roots.

What is Solstice energy?

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What are the four equinoxes?

So, in the Northern Hemisphere you have: Vernal equinox(about March 21): day and night of equal length, marking the start of spring. Summer solstice (June 20 or 21): longest day of the year, marking the start of summer. Autumnal equinox(about September 23): day and night of equal length, marking the start of autumn.

What are the pagan origins of Christmas?

Though December 25 is the day Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the date itself and several of the customs we've come to associate with Christmas actually evolved from pagan traditions celebrating the winter solstice. ... "In ancient Rome there was a feast called Saturnalia that celebrated the solstice.

Who says Happy Solstice?

We Roman Catholics have just begun the season of Advent, the season when we meditate on the end times. Most think of Advent as preparation for Christmas, but it is really the time when we remember the kingship of Christ over time and space.