Summer Solstice is coming up. The dates and times of the summer solstice: The exact date varies from year to year and may occur between the 20th and 23rd of June. Year Summer solstice (UT) 1999 JUN-21 @ 19:49 2000 JUN-21 @ 01:47 2001 JUN-21 @ 07:37 2002 JUN-21 @ 13:24 2003 JUN-21 @ 19:10 2004 JUN-21 @ 00:56 The above dates and times were provided the astronomical calculations on The Dome of the Sky web site. 9 Times are in UT (Universal Time). This used to be called Greenwich Mean Time or GMT. In North America, you can find your local time by subtracting: 2 hours 30 minutes for Newfoundland daylight savings time 3 hours for ADT 4 hours for EDT 5 hours for CDT 6 hours for MDT 7 hours for PDT 8 hours in AKDT (Alaska) 9 hours in ADT (Aleutian Islands) 10 hours in HST (Hawaii) 10

"Solstice" is derived from two words: "sol" meaning sun, and "sistere," to cause to stand still. This is because, as the summer solstice approaches, the noonday sun rises higher and higher in the sky on each successive day. On the day of the solstice, it rises an imperceptible amount, compared to the day before. In this sense, it "stands still."

Good Topic, Terry. Megalithic Britons made great alighments for season predictions, as close as we can be to what was going on inside the minds of cultures long departed. It has been suggested that the thirty or so farmers in the area would have been helped by upto sixty of their fellows from neighbouring communities - the object of all their efforts was to enable them to observe the rising and setting of the moon and hence track the changing of the seasons, important knowledge for farmers waiting for the right moment to sow their crops. On the stone beside the east flanker 12 cupmarks were made on its inner face, perhaps to indicate the position of the rising moon. The observations would have been carried out for many generations and it is easy to envisage that the simple science woud have been accompanied by fertility rituals of dancing and feasting within the bounds of the circle. Although it is certain that recumbent stone circles are linked with lunar observations there is little evidence to support sophisticated archaeoastronomy, the observations across the stones would probably have been somewhat crude and often the alignments we see today are not the original ones since many stones have been re-erected after falling. more... http://www.ifb.net/webit/loanhead.htm

I forgot... Some Scottish recumbent stones have been noted by Aubrey Burl to have the sun at midsummer roll along the top of the stone.

Hey, it's only 3 days away, let's have our own online summer solstice celebration and try to take note of other celebrations around the world, kind of a summer solstice watch. And the end of another Spring season.

Terry, are you inviting The Church of the Latter-Day-Druids? *Packing my pucnic basket abnd dowsing rods along with my digital camera.* Wouldn't it be cool to meet at a lovely bit of an ancient stone circle? I'll be monitoring the round the world goodies to see what's happening. Y'all come and bring a libation for the gods while you're at it!

Great, you're definitely on board for this, Marci. Let the Season begin! We're ready!

Let the learning begin - we have goodies to gather: Before the rite, make up a small cloth pouch filled with herbs such as lavender, camomile, St. John�s wort, vervain, or any of the Midsummer herbs listed. Mentally pour all your troubles, problems, pains, sorrows and illnesses, if any, into this petition as you construct it. Tie it shut with a red string. Place this on the altar for use during the rite. The cauldron should also be there or nearby. Even if you use candles to mark the quarters, the red candle in the holder should also be on the altar. For outdoor rituals, light a fire - however small - and drop the pouch into this. Arrange the altar, light the candles an d censer, and cast the Circle o Stones. Recite the Blessing chant. Invoke the Goddess and God. ~`~`~`~`~` Midsummer is practically the classic time to perform magics of all kinds. Healings, love magic and protection are especially suitable. Hers can be dried over the ritual fire if you�re celebrating out doors. Leap the fire for purification and renewed energy. Fresh fruits are standard fare for Midsummer. http://www.pagans.org/~firerose/midsumme.htm

Wolfie, did you read that??? Get out the goodies, we have work to do!

http://www.teachnet.com/lesson/seasonal/solstice061899.html Build Your Own Stonehenge Built between 3100 and 1550 BC, Stonehenge is located on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England. Stonehenge's axis is pointed roughly in the direction of the sunrise at the summer and winter solstices. Some scientists believe it was used to foretell eclipses of the sun and the moon by the positions of these celestial bodies in relation to the stone monument. The site may have served as an observatory where early rituals or religious ceremonies took place on specific days of the year. Visit http://www.familyeducation.com/article/0,1120,1-4200,00.html for instructions on building you own Stonehenge. *=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=* Midsummer's Eve / St. John's Eve These two are often considered seperate, but are both the night before the summer solstice. In England, it was the ancient custom on St. John's Eve to light large bonfires after sundown, which served the double purpose of providing light to the revelers and warding off evil spirits. This was known as 'setting the watch'. In Britain, it was once believed you could gather fern seed at the stroke of midnight and rub it onto your eyelids to make fairies visible! Wearing your jacket inside-out on Midsummer's Eve will keep you out of danger. An adventurous few even stay up all night - the shortest night of the year. Other customs included decorating the house, especially the front door, with birch, fennel, St. John's wort, orpin, and white lilies. Five plants were thought to have special magical properties on this night: rue, roses, St. John's wort, vervain and trefoil. Have students research these plants and make a wreath for your own classroom door. Serve "pixie sticks" and other treats for a summer solstice party. To make fairy wings, bend two wire hangers into the shape of a wings, then cover each with any color variety of hosiery, tying the sock off where the two wings come together. Use school glue to draw patterns on the wings, then sprinkle with glitter and let dry. Fasten the wings together with safety pins or by sewing together, and pin to clothing. Related Links For more information on the summer solstice, visit Wendy Hogan's great list of links on About.com at: http://kidexchange.miningco.com/msub69.htm.

what? are we inviting the wicca? (i got to the polstice part--or whatever that pouch of goodies is called).

It is for love potions! This site has it all - AWESOME http://www.religioustolerance.org/summer_solstice.htm SUMMER SOLSTICE CELEBRATIONS: ANCIENT AND MODERN a.k.a. Alban Heflin, Alben Heruin, All-couples day, Feast of Epona, Feast of St. John the Baptist, Feill-Sheathain, Gathering Day, Johannistag, Litha, Midsummer, Sonnwend, Thing-Tide, Vestalia, etc. Overview People around the world have observed spiritual and religious seasonal days of celebration during the month of June. Most have been religious holy days which are linked in some way to the summer solstice. On this day, typically JUN-21, the daytime hours are at a maximum in the Northern hemisphere, and night time is at a minimum. It is officially the first day of summer. It is also referred to as Midsummer because it is roughly the middle of the growing season throughout much of Europe. "Solstice" is derived from two words: "sol" meaning sun, and "sistere," to cause to stand still. This is because, as the summer solstice approaches, the noonday sun rises higher and higher in the sky on each successive day. On the day of the solstice, it rises an imperceptible amount, compared to the day before. In this sense, it "stands still." (In the southern hemisphere, the summer solstice is celebrated in December, also when the night time is at a minimum and the daytime is at a maximum. We will assume that the reader lives in the Northern hemisphere for the rest of this essay.) Why does the summer solstice happen? The seasons of the year are caused by the 23.5� tilt of the earth's axis. Because the earth is rotating like a top or gyroscope, the North Pole points in a fixed direction continuously -- towards a point in space near the North Star. But the earth is also revolving around the sun. During half of the year, the southern hemisphere is more exposed to the sun than is the northern hemisphere. During the rest of the year, the reverse is true. At noontime in the Northern Hemisphere the sun appears high in the sky during summertime, and low during winter. The time of the year when the sun reaches its maximum elevation occurs on the summer solstice -- the day with the greatest number of daylight hours. It typically occurs on, or within a day or two of, JUN-21 -- the first day of summer. The lowest elevation occurs about DEC-21 and is the winter solstice -- the first day of winter, when the night time hours reach their maximum. Significance of the summer solstice: In pre-historic times, summer was a joyous time of the year for Aboriginal people in the northern latitudes. The snow had disappeared; the ground had thawed out; warm temperatures had returned; flowers were blooming; leaves had returned to the deciduous trees. Some herbs could be harvested, for medicinal and other uses. Food was easier to find. The crops had already been planted and would be harvested in the months to come. Although many months of warm/hot weather remained before the fall, they noticed that the days were beginning to shorten, so that the return of the cold season was inevitable. The first (or only) full moon in June is called the Honey Moon. Tradition holds that this is the best time to harvest honey from the hives. This time of year, between the planting and harvesting of the crops, was the traditional month for weddings. This is because many ancient peoples believed that the "grand [sexual] union" of the Goddess and God occurred in early May at Beltaine. Since it was unlucky to compete with the deities, many couples delayed their weddings until June. June remains a favorite month for marriage today. In some traditions, "newly wed couples were fed dishes and beverages that featured honey for the first month of their married life to encourage love and fertility. The surviving vestige of this tradition lives on in the name given to the holiday immediately after the ceremony: The Honeymoon." 14 Midsummer celebrations in ancient and modern times: Most societies in the northern hemisphere, ancient and modern, have celebrated a festival on or close to Midsummer: Ancient Celts: Druids, the priestly/professional/diplomatic corps in Celtic countries, celebrated Alban Heruin ("Light of the Shore"). It was midway between the spring Equinox (Alban Eiler; "Light of the Earth") and the fall Equinox (Alban Elfed; "Light of the Water"). "This midsummer festival celebrates the apex of Light, sometimes symbolized in the crowning of the Oak King, God of the waxing year. At his crowning, the Oak King falls to his darker aspect, the Holly King, God of the waning year..." 13 The days following Alban Heruin form the waning part of the year because the days become shorter. Ancient China: Their summer solstice ceremony celebrated the earth, the feminine, and the yin forces. It complemented the winter solstice which celebrated the heavens, masculinity and yang forces. Ancient Gaul: The Midsummer celebration was called Feast of Epona, named after a mare goddess who personified fertility, sovereignty and agriculture. She was portrayed as a woman riding a mare. Ancient Germanic, Slav and Celtic tribes in Europe: Ancient Pagans celebrated Midsummer with bonfires. "It was the night of fire festivals and of love magic, of love oracles and divination. It had to do with lovers and predictions, when pairs of lovers would jump through the luck-bringing flames..." It was believed that the crops would grow as high as the couples were able to jump. Through the fire's power, "...maidens would find out about their future husband, and spirits and demons were banished." Another function of bonfires was to generate sympathetic magic: giving a boost to the sun's energy so that it would remain potent throughout the rest of the growing season and guarantee a plentiful harvest. 6 Ancient Rome: The festival of Vestalia lasted from JUN-7 to JUN-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. Ancient Sweden: A Midsummer tree was set up and decorated in each town. The villagers danced around it. Women and girls would customarily bathe in the local river. This was a magical ritual, intended to bring rain for the crops. Christian countries: After the conversion of Europe to Christianity, the feast day of St. John the Baptist was set as JUN-24. It "is one of the oldest feasts, if not the oldest feast, introduced into both the Greek and Latin liturgies to honour a saint." 16 Curiously, the feast is held on the alleged date of his birth. Other Christian saints' days are observed on the anniversary of their death. The Catholic Encyclopedia explains that St. John was "filled with the Holy Ghost even from his mother's womb...[thus his] birth...should be signalized as a day of triumph." 16 His feast day is offset a few days after the summer solstice, just as Christmas is fixed a few days after the winter solstice. 1 "Just as John was the forerunner to Jesus, midsummer forecasts the eventual arrival of" the winter solstice circa DEC-21. Native Americans: The Natchez tribe in the southern U.S. "worshiped the sun and believed that their ruler was descended from him. Every summer they held a first fruits ceremony." Nobody was allowed to harvest the corn until after the feast. 2 Males in the Hopi tribe dressed up as Kachinas - the dancing spirits of rain and fertility who were messengers between humanity and the Gods. At Midsummer, the Kachinas were believed to leave the villages to spend the next six months in the mountains, where they were believed to visit the dead underground and hold ceremonies on their behalf. 2 Native Americans have created countless stone structures linked to equinoxes and solstices. Many are still standing. One was called Calendar One by its modern-day finder. It is in a natural amphitheatre of about 20 acres in size in Vermont. From a stone enclosure in the center of the bowl, one can see a number of vertical rocks and other markers around the edge of the bowl "At the summer solstice, the sun rose at the southern peak of the east ridge and set at a notch at the southern end of the west ridge." The winter solstice and the equinoxes were similarly marked. 5 The Bighorn Medicine Wheel west of Sheridan, WY is perhaps the most famous of the 40 or more similar "wheels" on the high plains area of the Rocky Mountains. Mostly are located in Canada. At Bighorn, the center of a small cairn, that is external to the main wheel, lines up with the center of the wheel and the sun rising at the summer equinox. Another similar sighting cairn provides a sighting for three dawn-rising stars: Aldebaran, Rigel and Sirius. A third cairn lines up with fourth star: Fomalhaut. The term "medicine wheel" was coined by Europeans; it was a term used to describe anything native that white people didn't understand. 17 Neopaganism: This is a group of religions which are attempted re-constructions of ancient Pagan religions. Of these, Wicca is the most common; it is loosely based partly on ancient Celtic beliefs and practices. Wiccans recognize eight seasonal days of celebration. Four are minor sabbats and occur at the two solstices and the two equinoxes. The other are major sabbats which happen approximately halfway between an equinox and solstice. The summer solstice sabbat is often called Midsummer or Litha. Wiccans may celebrate the sabbat on the evening before, at sunrise on the morning of the solstice, or at the exact time of the astronomical event. "Midsummer is the time when the sun reaches the peak of its power, the earth is green and holds the promise of a bountiful harvest. The Mother Goddess is viewed as heavily pregnant, and the God is at the apex of his manhood and is honored in his guise as the supreme sun." 12 It is a time for divination and healing rituals. Divining rods and wands are traditionally cut at this time. Prehistoric Europe: Many remains of ancient stone structures can be found throughout Europe. Some date back many millennia BCE. Many appear to have religious/astronomical purposes; others are burial tombs. These structures were built before writing was developed. One can only speculate on the significance of the summer solstice to the builders. Perhaps the most famous of these structures is Stonehenge, a megalith monument on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire. It was built in three stages, between circa 3000 and 1500 BCE. "The circular bank and ditch, double circle of 'bluestones' (spotted dolerite), and circle of sarsen stones (some with white lintels), are concentric, and the main axis is aligned on the midsummer sunrise--an orientation that was probably for ritual rather than scientific purposes.4 Four "station stones" within the monument form a rectangle whose shorter side also points in the direction of the midsummer sunrise.

oh! that's the kinda magic we're gonna do. i need a good love potion, anyone got #9 around? *grin* i didn't read all that because my eyeballs are going to sleep. what day is the solstice on this year?

howdy howdy The first day of summer is this Thursday so stock up on the party supplies! I guess I'll go sit on the back deck and bang on drums or play the didgeradoo and wake up the neighbors. de Mike r-c-i

Wolfie, you did not check that url for additional information: The dates and times of the summer solstice: The exact date varies from year to year and may occur between the 20th and 23rd of June. Year Summer solstice (UT) 1999 JUN-21 @ 19:49 2000 JUN-21 @ 01:47 2001 JUN-21 @ 07:37 2002 JUN-21 @ 13:24 2003 JUN-21 @ 19:10 2004 JUN-21 @ 00:56 The above dates and times were provided the astronomical calculations on The Dome of the Sky web site. 9 Times are in UT (Universal Time). This used to be called Greenwich Mean Time or GMT. In North America, you can find your local time by subtracting: 2 hours 30 minutes for Newfoundland daylight savings time 3 hours for ADT 4 hours for EDT 5 hours for CDT 6 hours for MDT 7 hours for PDT 8 hours in AKDT (Alaska) 9 hours in ADT (Aleutian Islands) 10 hours in HST (Hawaii) 10

in Hawaii's case we celebrate the solstice on June 20th at 15:47 HST which is 3:47 pm local time. So, at 3:47 pm Hawaiiam time on June 20, you will be celebrating the very same moment as I am but at different clock setttings!

you mean i have to get up EARLY to celebrate?....wonder if they'll let me have a pow wow at the office! what was the recipe for the love poltice again? (no, i didn't go to the website)

LOL Wolfie, sound like you already got the potion nailed down, you Awesome lady!

well, i certainly hope so *BIG WOLFIE GRIN, teeth and all*

This HAS to be totally Cosmic: Here Comes the Solar Eclipse! Space Weather News for June 20, 2001 http://www.spaceweather.com SOLAR ECLIPSE: Thursday, June 21st, sky watchers in parts of southern Africa will enjoy a mind-blowing spectacle: a total solar eclipse. Veteran eclipse chasers say there's no substitute for being inside the Moon's shadow where the temperature drops, wildlife grows quiet, and the Sun's ghostly corona springs to life. Nevertheless, we'll do our best to share the experience with you on Thursday by posting digital images of the eclipse and near real time temperature readings from the path of totality. Tune in to SpaceWeather.com for more information about the event, including a preview of what African observers might see courtesy of coronagraphs on board the ESA/NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory. http://www.spaceweather.com

The mountain and the sun disappeared under thick grey clouds this solstice sunset. And so did all of my wlallpaper, buttons and horizontal bars and cover graphics. What you see is default. I am most unhappy!

It may be Frontpage acting up, I'll work with you on restoring it if you can email the exact procedures, processes you're using to modify your wallpaper, buttons, etc.

Today's the summer solstice! June 21st.

Let the celebration begin, here's a site that has a solstice parade, fitting place to begin our celebration. The site is http://www.solsticeparade.com/ At high noon, on the Saturday nearest to the longest day of the year the celebration explodes into a display of color, music, dance, art and movement. Over 3,000 participants parade the mile long route up State Street, through the heart of downtown Santa Barbara, transforming the business district into a vibrant splash of color and creativity. Taking a cue from the Italian Commedia dell' Arte and adding a solstice flair, the brilliant illusions and imagery of fantastic faces emerge masquerading as creations in keeping with this years theme, "2001 : A Space Oddity". Joined by people-powered floats, they glitter and glide, whirl and rustle up the street filling hearts with gaiety and delight, inspiring the crowd to celebrate the beginning of Summer

And marci, this one's for you. http://www.innerself.com/Astrology/eliza_may_30.htm It's from a Hawaiian perspective. Aloha kakou - greetings to all. All times referred to in this article are Hawai'ian Standard Time. Pacific time add 3 hrs., Eastern add 6 hrs. The major turning points of the astronomical/astrological year continues with the upcoming Summer Solstice, when the Sun moves into Cancer. It is the highest point that the sun appears above the �celestial equator� (which is an imaginary line that the sun occupies as we orbit it). For those in the Northern Hemisphere, it is the highest the sun climbs in the sky. For those below the Equator, it signifies the lowest point, and the signal that the sun will return to its zenith in six months. It is the longest day of the year for those above the equator. This year, June 20th, 3:48 pm Hawai`ian Standard Time, is the exact time and date of the Solstice. (For international readers: 1:48 am GMT on June 21st.) At the time of Summer Solstice, we are focusing more on the Water element -- the Emotions. Many people celebrate the shortest night of the year with drumming parties, singing, and dancing. That way they pass the hours, staying up all night so they can greet the dawn. This current Solstice sees us with another �pile up� of planetary energies escorting us through the coming three months. These are Sun at 0�, Venus 2�, Mars 3�, Mercury at 19� -- all in Cancer. The Moon�s placement is also significant. It will be in Aquarius, tucked between Neptune and Uranus at 15 degrees. Aquarius brings a universality, a humanitarian outlook -- the good of all -- where the one is important but is part of a whole. Therefore, the tone of this coming quarter (summer season) is focusing on the nurturing good of all. Being tenacious and driven to care for the masses who are less fortunate than the perception of self. Volunteering and donating resources to help others gain or regain their lives. As we discovered with the Taurean pile up in May, when we have many planets gathered in the same sign, we get a "focusing" of our attention on that vibration, wherever we have it in our charts and lives. So look to Cancer�s placement in your natal charts -- it is two signs after the location where Taurus just placed its strong intentions in the earth and the physical plane of your life. There will be the opportunity this Summer to bring Spiritual insights (from Neptune) in new patterns (Uranus) to the emotional plane (Cancer) that will stimulate how we walk and work with our physical resources (Jupiter/Saturn in Taurus). Healing transformative messages from Chiron/Pluto will influence the Moon to be releasing old fears. Do remember, you can release the old emotional burdens through this Summer and be in a new place of bliss and freedom at the time of the Fall Equinox in September. Also, take the information you have about the Jupiter/Saturn Conjunction on May 28th (see previous article) and see the upcoming Summer months as a way to incorporate those insights in your emotional nature for your own good -- as well as your community�s good -- during the next 20 years. Ellias Lonsdale states for the first degree of Cancer -- "A potter at work. Carving out a sacred place for what you most care about to flourish. Giving your all to a task or project, a way of life or shared stream..." (�Inside Degrees�, p. 141) Create the emotional patterns of your new life in this new century based upon freedom and healing of the past. Go walk in beauty. Malama pono (take care). Namast�.

Spead the word around spring, today's the Summer Solstice party! We celebrate, enjoy celebrations going on around the world, and share thoughts from our own parts of the world. Do a google search and see what you can find for "summer solstice"!

June 21: Summer Solstice, 12:38 am PDT for folks in California. In Austin, that would be at 10:38 am, in a little over 3 hours from now. Everyone should do a little dance or celebration at 10:38 am CST.

Hey it's summer now as of right this red hot second!

Now, from Canada. A SUMMER SOLSTICE ASTROLOGICAL CELEBRATION CORTES ISLAND, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA JUNE 21 - 24, 2001 Astrologically speaking, planet Venus signifies what we value most in our lives. The event, VENUS RISING, is meant to act as a forum for the celebration and sharing of what people value most about astrology itself. We invite you to join with us here on Cortes Island , no matter what your level of experience is, to explore how astrology can best be brought into day-to-day life for the highest good of all. Everyone is welcome to attend and all registrants are invited to become speakers on Saturday by addressing our theme question: What astrological experiences and/or tools have impacted you most profoundly in your day-to-day living? Owing to time constraints, the number of speakers may have to be limited, in which case, speakers will be chosen in order of registration. Click here to view a list of presenters. The precise order of speaking presentations will be assigned according to the phase of the Moon at each speaker's birth. This represents an innovative form of group communication called lunation council

The 8th Annual Summer Solstice Celebration - June 2001 Paul Winter and Artists from around the world gave 3 concerts to greet the summer and the longest day of the year on June 15th and 16th, 2001. | Guest Artists | Music Performed | Press Release | GUEST ARTISTS at the 8th Annual Summer Solstice Celebration included: Karan Casey Eugene Friesen (Photo � 2000 Charles N. Fulco) KARAN CASEY, the Irish vocalist, formerly a member of the group 'Solas', who can be heard on the Living Music recording CELTIC SOLSTICE and whose new album is THE WINDS BEGIN TO SING on Shanachie ARTO TUNCBOYACIYAN, Armenian percussionist, vocalist and instrumentalist, who has just recorded his US debut solo album with Living Music, called EVERY DAY IS A NEW LIFE JERRY O'SULLIVAN, on Uilleann pipes, who can be heard on the Living Music recordings CELTIC SOLSTICE and JOURNEY WITH THE SUN, and whose solo album is THE GIFT on Shanachie. EUGENE FRIESEN, the outstanding cello player and long-time member of the Paul Winter Consort, who has recorded many albums with Living Music, including ARMS AROUND YOU Pianist PAUL SULLIVAN, member of the Paul Winter Consort and accomplished composer and conductor, whose many solo recordings include CIRCLE ROUND THE SEASONS on River Music. Cathedral organist DOROTHY PAPADAKS

For kids from the kidexchange.about.com website. One of the most famous tributes to the Summer Solstice can be found in England. Some 5,000 years ago inhabitants created Stonehendge - a huge circle of blocks formed in a circle and erected as a gateway aimed at the rising sun. Similar designs can be found in Egyptian and Mayan temples. For more information on Stonehendge visit this site from The Active Mind which helps explain the mystery. Ways to Celebrate the Solstice Make your own Stonehendge at the beach like you would a sandcastle Have an outdoor breakfast picnic to welcome the Solstice Stay up and watch the sun go down on the longest day of the year! Draw a picture of the sun at sunrise and sunset

Let's pretend, for the moment, that you're the person standing on the Earth in the picture to the left, living in Topeka, Kansas, around 40� N latitude. The picture on the left shows the view from the solar system (upper panel), and from on the surface of the earth (lower panel). Notice that some of the same features are labelled on each panel. The upper panel shows that on the summer solstice (which occurs around June 21), the northern half of the Earth is tilted towards the Sun. Notice that the Sun is north of the equator. For you in Topeka, the altitude of the Sun at noon is 73.5�, which is pretty high in the sky. In fact, that is as high as the Sun ever gets at that latitude. It has been getting higher and higher in the sky since the winter solstice and through the vernal equinox. The bottom panel shows how the Sun moves through the sky for someone standing on the ground in Topeka. So in general, the northern hemisphere is getting more direct sunlight, which heats the Earth most efficiently, than the southern hemisphere. This is summer for people in the northern hemisphere. During the summer, the Sun is also above the horizon longer than it is during the winter. The summer solstice is the longest day of the year. At this same time, the southern half of the Earth is tilted away from the Sun. If you were living in Neuquen, Argentina (roughly -40� S latitude) you would be bundled up for the winter. How high the Sun gets in your sky, and how long it is above the horizon during the day, depend not only on the season, but also on your latitude. A diagram showing how the Sun moves through the sky on the Summer solstice. Click on image for full size (57K GIF)

Moving on the Belgium. Summer Solstice 2001 Celebration / Belgium A co-creative, experiential playground about MANDALAS and the collection of StarWheel mandalas by Aya. Through hands-on experience how-to-make-your-own-mandala, group projects, mini-lectures and slide presentations, Aya will share his artistic & spiritual experience in creating the StarWheel mandalas. We will look into the essentials of Mandalas, journey through archetypical symbols, their geometry's & frequencies and explore various ways to use and enact Mandalas. A labyrinth will be built and walked to honor the solstice. The event will build up to the Friday evening Summer Solstice 2001 Celebration. We will have a Kids Corner... so bring them along - they love mandalas... The beautiful park-like setting of the location and the powerful energies of the "cosmic rendez-vous" will inspire us to awaken the Sacred Circles within new aspects of our personal and global Life. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thursday 21st of June Welcome & Orientation. Each participant picks a StarWheel. Afternoon: Prayer circle. Overall presentation. PLAYGROUND # 1: ESSENTIALS OF MANDALAS Mandalas, a spirit journey with the essential Template of Universe. The Center & the Periphery Basic structure & layout of mandalas Sacred Geometry 101 - Practice with the Golden Number Colors, numbers & frequencies -(Cymatics -short video) Orientation & geomancy in mandalas Getting started on * Making-your-own-mandala * Evening: Slide show: Mandalas around the world Mini-presentations on Labyrinths and Rose-windows Overview of the StarWheel collection In-depth explanation of specific StarWheels Friday 22nd of june Morning : PLAYGROUND # 2: THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE OF SYMBOLS Points, Bindus & Centers Circles , Spheres & Eggs Triangles, Pyramids & Mountains Squares & Cubes Polygons & Stars geometry's Ellipses, Spirals & Vortices Yantras, mantras & mudras Sacred Labyrinths -Tracing & walking a 7-ring labyrinth Using grid templates - Grid-filling practice The StarWheel hieroglyphics Completing * Making-your-own-mandala * Afternoon: PLAYGROUND # 3: BEING THE MANDALA Using and enacting mandalas in various traditions Medicine wheels The StarDome Project Healing with mandalas The Mandala of Self Empowering the personal mandalas created during the event Group experience: each participant takes the StarWheel they picked and creates a way to interact with it through dance, sketches, mime, music, words etc... to share how & why they feel it relates to their spirit sacred journey. (some of the interactions can be expanded for the evening event) Evening: SOLSTICE CELEBRATION *** Live music and StarWheel slides *** The participants are invited to wear white flowing clothing and dance through the projected colors & geometry's. Sacred dance offering to StarWheel # 72 32012 Kin2 Projections will be done from the ceiling down on a circular stage. Prayer & Blessing Circle. End of addition to Program.

On the "ritualhut.com" website: Celebration of the summer solstice, June 21, the longest day of the year, is as old as humankind. At first there apparently was fear that the sun would not come back to its full summer glory, or wouldn't come back at all as the days after the solstice began to get shorter and shorter. For this fundamental reason, bonfires and fire rites of all kinds were initiated on Midsummer's Eve, June 20, to symbolize the sun's power and help renew the sun's energy as it began its downward course across the horizon. In later times bonfires were lit on mountain tops, along streams, in the middle of streets and in front of houses; torches were carried in procession and burning wheels were rolled down hills and through the fields. Often there would be dancing and leaping over fires which was both to purify and protect from evil influences as well as to ensure the well-being of the sun. Since pagan times, Midsummer Eve has been the night of rejoicing and merrymaking over the return of summer. For our family, the summer solstice has also been a reason for a party of some kind. This year, with the greater spiritual interests of some friends and the inclusion of children, we are adding more ritual to the gathering and the celebration will be structured like this: Guests are asked to bring a food or drink from the previous summer. Dried fruit or dried tomatoes from a garden, last year's wine or beer, cheese aged for a year, or last year's homemade jam, etc. Each person is also to be prepared to tell "What I enjoyed most about last summer." Also, if they have their own special or ceremonial drums, rattles, or other instrument, they are to bring it along. When everyone has arrived we make our sacred circle by smudging the four directions (East - Fire, South - Earth, West - Water, and North - Air) and each other with a wonderful summer-smelling sweet grass braid traditional in some Native American rituals. While we are making the ceremonial circle, we will be listening to a tape by Libana of women's acappella singing/chanting "The Air, The Earth, The Fire, The Water, Return, Return, Return, Return" and " A Circle is Cast Again and Again and Again". I'll say it is a time to remember the ceaseless rhythm and cycles of life, to remember what changes, what stays the same. When the circle is complete, we go around the circle and tell our stories about last year's summer while we eat and drink some of last year's summer harvest. Next, we'll play Paul Winter's mystical and evocative "Sunrise" and "Morning" selections from his Canyon album and mediate on something we want to do this summer. When the idea or image comes, we'll all write it down to keep for ourselves and note whether it is different than summers before. When everyone is ready, we'll gather up our drums, rattles, rainsticks, and bells and parade noisily around the house in a circle and then over to my neighbor's where a bonfire (in a little Weber grill) and a table full of this summer's bounty of strawberries, melons, fresh produce and breads of all types will greet us. We can watch the June full moon rise -- traditionally in America known as the Strawberry Moon -- and attempt to become conscious, for a moment, of the total faith we inherently now have in the rising of the sun, the cycles of the moon, the placement of the stars, and how dependent we are on the universe, the sun and moon in particular, for life as we know it. It is a time to acknowledge and make connections with our place in the universe which is both a creative part and product of the universal forces of nature, of God and of an ultimate, unending mystery.

Statement For World Peace & Prayer Day Summer Solstice - June 21st, 2001 by Chief Arvol Looking Horse When I was twelve years old, words of prophecies were instilled in me by our Spiritual Elders of that time, concerning drastic changes that would come to all life upon Mother Earth. These changes are here with us today... When I was twelve years old, words of prophecies were instilled in me by our Spiritual Elders of that time, concerning drastic changes that would come to all life upon Mother Earth. These changes are here with us today. I was told that a sign of these changes called the crossroads would come to pass when the spirit of the White Buffalo Calf Woman would once again stand upon Mother Earth, which I never believed that I would witness. The first white buffalo was born in 1994 and since then eight more have been born. From our Sacred Alters I am devastated for my relatives to the four directions, how life of Peace and Harmony is in our hands for the future of our children and looks very bleak. I have witnessed the last stages of beautiful cultures and traditions that have maintained the connection to Mother Earth is now in the stages of dark times. The disease of the mind has caused much suffering to Mitakuye Oyasin (all our relations meaning ALL life). Our ceremonies directed us to call upon many Nations to recognize the power and spiritual connection of the Sacred Sites that dwell every 100 miles upon Mother Earth in order to create an energy shift to bring back the balance of life. We now realize that it will take this kind monumental effort, along with prayers and belief to heal the Ozone layer that is depleting every moment causing these drastic changes toward all life, including the negative influences in our minds toward one another. I have been very moved by the participation of Nations sponsoring their own WPPD ceremony at their Sacred Sites, which continues to grow in our Global community, since we began this ceremony in 1996 on Turtle Island (Americas), but more awareness needs to take place. This year is a continuing journey of this important event on June 21st, around the world to four continents of the four colors of relatives; we have always represented these colors in our sacred ceremonies. We begin this journey in Ireland and the following years of the June 21st ceremony will be in Africa, Australia, and Japan then back to Turtle Island (Americas) for a thank you ceremony. I pray that as we visit the different Nations on their Homelands, we will continue to awaken their spirituality and the importance of their Sacred Sites, in building our relationship toward healing our Sacred Mother Earth and bring back the dignity of respecting one another! I, Chief Arvol Looking Horse of the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota Nation, humblely ask that the spirit of great Nations help us to heal our sacred Mother Earth (Unci Maka). I call upon other Spiritual Leaders and Ancient Storytellers to work together on this urgent effort!" In the Sacred Hoop of Life, where there is no ending and no beginning! Support this important endeavor and send out to as many people who may be interested in supporting our efforts. Our web site is at:http://www.worldpeaceday.com/2001/ Mitakuye Oyasin Chief Arvol Looking Horse 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe

More from about.com Summer Solstice Celebrations Around the World From Rome to Babylon, the Summer Solstice is a time of festival and ritual... Celebrate the Solstice � Wiccan Solstice � Solstice Science � Solstice for Kids � Solstice in Alaska � Solstice in New England � Midsummer in England The summer solstice is a special time for many world cultures. It is based on a verifiable, astronomical event - the point at which the Sun reaches it's farthest movement north (or south, in the Southern hemisphere). The solstice is the longest span of daylight during the year, and also marks the beginning of summer in our current reckoning. Perhaps that's why so many of the ancient and modern cultures of the world choose to mark the solstice with some type of religious festival. Literally hundreds of groups, from the Norse and Celtic tribes to the ancient Romans, Egyptians, and even Christians have some type of an occasion. The festivals below are just a few of the multitude of religious celebrations of summer, but their imagination, beauty and serenity produce a fabulous picture of the holiday and its meaning, both in our time and in the distant past. Babylonian: Festival of Esagila and Ezida The Babylonian and other Mesopotamian cultures celebrated the solstice as a time to help keep the calendar on track. During the festival, the Daughters of Esagila, or the "Day House" would journey to the temple of Ezida, the "Night House" in order to help lengthen the nights and continue the sun's journey toward the Winter Solstice. The festival celebrated the journey of the sun, and marked the time in which it started its journey towards winter. More on the Festival of Esagila and Ezida... Celtic: Midsummer or Alban Hefin Midsummer is viewed as a minor fire festival in the Celtic Wheel of the Year, but it is considered an important time nonetheless. Many of the ancient stone monoliths are aligned to the solstice, pointing to a great deal of importance in the solstice during the pre Celtic eras. The ritual is in celebration of the marriages of the gods. The traditional bonfires and ritual celebrations were an integral part of the celebration. Perhaps the most important part of the date for Druids, however, was the day of the Druid Egg. It is believed that the snakes come together on the solstice night to create the glain, or Druid's Egg. Anyone in possession of this artifact was said to have great magical powers. Midsummer is also a time of fairy magic and mischief. More on the Celtic celebration of Midsummer... Egypt: New Year's Day The solstice in ancient Egypt was the beginning of the new year, as well as the time of the floods which brought the fertile soil and water to the arid Nile Valley. The rebirth of the sun, Ra, at the solstice was heralded by the rising of Sirius, the brightest star in the heavens and a symbol of the goddess Isis or Hathor (later merged). An inscription in the Temple of Isis in Denderah reads: "Her Majesty Isis shines into the temple on New Year's Day, and She mingles her light with that of her father Ra on the horizon." From the Denderah texts: "Her rays unite with the rays of the luminous god on that beautiful day of the birth of the sun disk on the morning of the new year's feast." More on the Egyptian New Year... Estonia:Jaanip�ev (St. John's Day) Celebrated on June 24th, the festivals of Jaani�htu (Midsummer Eve) and Jaanip�ev (St. John's Day) are the most important holidays other than Christmas in the nation of Estonia. Although named for the Christian Saint, the festival has its origins in the much older celebrations of the Pagan deities and the solstice. The holiday marks the time when spring planting turns to summer hay-making, and it's traditions lay firmly in the old customs associated with farming and fertility. One of the most well-known of these customs is the lighting of the great bonfire on the morning of Jaani�htu, and the subsequent leaping of the fire for good luck and prosperity. More on the Celebration of Jaanip�ev... Greece: New Year In ancient Greece, the new year began on the first new moon after the summer solstice. Sacrifices were made to Zeus the Savior and Athena the Savior on the last day of the year to ensure good fortune and wealth in the coming months. This was also the time of the festival of Plunteria, the time of the washing and reclothing of the sacred statue of Athena which guards the city. It was considered an unlucky day, as the goddess was absent from the city. More on the Greek Festivals around the Summer Solstice... Latvia: Jani The celebration of the solstice in Latvia, and all of the Baltic states, takes its name from the god Janis, the personification of the summer solstice. Traditional foods of beer (representing the bounty of the corn fields) and cheese (the bounty of the cattle herds) were prepared, and all work was suspended during the celebration. The day before Jani was known as Herb Day for the special herbs that were collected to bestow health, fertility and good fortune. On the evening of Herb Day, the people would gather for their feasts of beer and cheese, and Jani would be invited to join the celebration. The festivities would culminate in a giant bonfire, which was leaped for good luck. On the dawn of Jani, the people would bid Jani farewell for another year and invite him to join them again next year. More on Jani... Native American: Sundance, First Fruits, Katchinka Several Native American tribes mark the passing of the solstice with rites and rituals to celebrate the season. One such ritual is the Sundance, performed by the Sioux tribe. It is performed in a specially-constructed lodge with 28 rafters and 28 standing poles around one great center pole, representing the Great Spirit. The Natchez tribe also celebrated the sun, from whom they believe they are descended, with the first fruits festival. No one was allowed to touch the first ears of corn until after the sacred ceremony. The Hopi tribe also celebrated the solstice, with masked dancers in colorful costumes representing the Katchinkas, spirits of rain and fertility. The Katchinkas left the Hopi villages at the solstice to return to their homes in the mountains. While gone, it was believed that they visited the land of the dead to hold ceremonies for the spirits there. More on the Sundances... More on the First Fruits and Katchinkas... Norse: Baldur & Sunna The norse and germanic people viewed the solstice as the second most important holiday of the year, behind only Yule, the Winter Solstice. Bonfires, celebrations and sacrifices to the gods were important on this day. Many of the May Day rituals, such as the May Pole and Morris Dances were celebrated at midsummer in the Scandinavian countries, instead May Day as in warmer climates. One custom involves rolling a flaming wheel down a hill on Midsummer's night, as a symbol of the sun's movement through the year. The god Baldur, slain deity of the sun, was honored on Midsummer, as was the goddess Sunna, the mistress of the sun. More on Midsummer... Rome: Solstitrum, Festival of Fors Fortuna The date of the Solstitrum, or summer solstice, varied in Rome between the traditional day, June 24th, and the true solstice, usually on the 21st. No major events were held in honor of the solstice itself, but the 24th was celebrated as the Festival of Fors Fortuna, the goddess of good fortune. The festival was one of enjoyment in the outdoors, with flowers decking boats, courtyards and houses. Hymns were sung to the goddess, and many would make pilgrimages to her temple in order to pray for good fortune. More on the Festival of Fors Fortuna... Slavic: Kupalo Pronounced (Coo-PAH-loh), this celebration offers some unique customs to other solstice celebrations. Kupalo comes from the word 'kupati' which means "to bathe" and ritual baths were very important to this celebration. It was believed that on the solstice, the sun bathed in the waters of the horizon, imbuing all waters with a bit of his power. Those who also bathed in the waters on the dawn of this day could absorb some of this power. Along with the usual bonfire rituals, the Slavs also included a straw effigy of a man called the 'Kupalo'. The effigy was dressed in women's clothes and laid under a sacred tree during the celebration, but afterward was stripped and drowned or burned. The 'corpse' was then treated to an elaborate mock funeral, with a 'priest', 'mourners', and incense of dung and an old shoe. More on Kupalo...

The Sundance The sundance medicine lodge is constructed with a central sacred tree (an example of an "axis mundi," the axis or center of the world). Twenty-eight poles surround it in a circle and 28 roof-beams connect the central tree to the surrounding support poles. (See side view and layout diagrams) A buffalo-hide covering covers it all. The central tree is a ritually selected cottonwood tree that is brought to the site. It represents Wakan Tanka, the Great Spirit. 28 is a sacred number. The lunar month has 28 days. Buffalos have 28 ribs. War bonnets usually have 28 feathers. Black Elk says, "Twenty-eight is the number of days in the moon's growing and dying, and as the twenty-eight poles rest on the one central tree, so the growing and dying of our ignorance reflects the one light of Wakan-Tanka, which is our center." The entrance of the lodge faces east. The ceremonies begin on the date of the summer solstice. Earlier, native Americans created Medicine Wheels to mark the summer solstice and the rising of significant stars such as Sirius. These Medicine Wheels are huge circles with 28 lines radiating from the center. The Medicine Wheel on Medicine Mountain in Wyoming was probably in use between 1250 and 1750 ce. The annual Sundance of the Sioux is held in midsummer (June or July), when the moon is full.

And since I'm part Norwegian, I have to include this celebration. Midsummer Day The summer solstice was second only to Yule in importance to the ancient Northmen. Some groups mark this day as sacred to Balder, but we disagree with this. While Balder can be seen as a dying and resurrected Sun God, in the mythology we are most familiar with, he does not return to life until Ragnarok and it seems like "bad karma" to symbolically kill the sun when you know Baldr doesn't come back until the end of the world. Instead, we mark this day as sacred to the Goddess Sunna, who is literally the sun. One idea for midsummer is to remain awake all night and mark the shortest night of the year, then at sunrise to perform a "Greeting of Sunna" and a blot to her. Another midsummer custom is the rolling of a flaming wagon wheel down a hill to mark the turning of the wheel of the year. If fire would otherwise be a hazard, one could parade a wheel covered with candles for similar effect. It is also a time for general merriment and in the Scandinavian countries many of what we know as the traditional May Day rituals such as May Poles and Morris Dances were celebrated at Midsummer rather than in May. In our area Midsummer occurs during a large local Pagan festival, and we have gone all out in making it a major holiday with blot, sumbel, feasting and drinking. We are currently in the process of constructing a "sun ship" which, with sails of copper reflecting the light from small torches, represents Sunna will be brought forth at dawning and dusk. (on the about website as well)

Summer Solstice -- Midsummer Day Finland is one of the most northerly countries in the world. The winters near the Arctic Circle are long and dark. Summer is long awaited. Summer in Finland is warm, bright and exhilarating. Above the seventy-degree latitude, the midnight sun is visible from mid-May to the end of July, with the summer solstice being the most pronounced in brightness. The average during that period of time is nineteen hours of sunshine per day. The events surrounding the summer solstice were originally pagan celebrations in Finland. It was important for the Vikings because they believed the earth stood still due to the fact that the sun did not set that day. Early Christian missionaries capitalized on the event and converted it to the "Day of Saint John" in honor of John the Baptist. The shamanistic Finnish festival became the Christian celebration we call "Juhannus" celebrated with bonfires and community Christian singing and rejoicing. Summer is a rare commodity in the North-European country of Finland where winter's reign lengthens its grip far into spring. When summer finally arrives with its solstice around June 25, the festivities take over with grand proportions. Symbolic of the cold, dark climate, Finns are a sober, serious people who view the world with furrowed brows from underneath their fur hats all winter. However, as soon as the sun eclipses the equinoctial line, the hats are thrown off, brows smooth and the Finns� alter-ego is set free. Juhannus, as the summer solstice is called in Finnish, is the initiation of all Finnish summer ambitions. The holiday is a quasi holy day, kept apart for special occasions, such as family reunions, weddings and christenings. This is by far the best time to visit Finland, to appreciate her in verdant summer dress. Days before the holiday, preparations begin. On the home front, it means cleaning the entire house inside and out. Tender, fragrant green-leafed birch branches, tied in bunches, adorn doorways and porches to bring the summer's glories even closer home. The Finnish flag is flown, gloriously bright against the azure skies all through the nightless night. National costumes are taken from the attic to air, and are readied for the year's most important national outing. In the towns and villages, the building of the kokko, a huge bonfire, commences. Old boats and lumber are used to fashion the distinct conical shape of the Juhannus kokko bonfire. Excitement builds as the silhouette rises on a prominent location near water. In Finland, there is always water near every town, be it a lake, a pond, a river, or a stream. That special incineration of the kokko happens on Juhannus evening, after lengthy entertainment and feasting have taken place. Traditional folk songs are heard, accompanied by the kantele, the Finnish national instrument. The kantele is a lute-like musical implement mentioned even in Kalevala, the Finnish national epic. Dances, known as tanhut, are brought to life, accompanied by the songs of accordions and fiddles, rendered by skillful performers dressed in their colorful regional national costumes. Men, women and children dance. Audience participation in the raucous polkas and waltzes precede the hour of burning. Close to midnight, the kokko is ceremoniously set on fire. The spectators express their admiration as the flames roar up to the sky, ferociously licking the dry wood. The burning boats and lumber brighten up the already light midnight sky to the endless delight of the observers who linger far into the early morning hours, enjoying the warmth and magic that burning fire somehow conjures up. Another summer solstice is over, but in Finland it only wakes up the sleeping winter-worn spirits, and summer comes to life in the land of the midnight sun. Please contact June Rantanen if you want to know more about Juhannus and the festivities described above.

And Stonehenge, of course. Stonehenge, the ancient stone circle on Salisbury plain in Wiltshire, will be open to the public on Tuesday evening - as part of this year's celebration of Midsummer's Day. It is the first time in 16 years that the site has been open to public for the summer solstice, which marks the longest day of the year. English Heritage are expecting several thousand visitors to the historic site, which is believed to have been built between 3000 and 1600 BC. Every year travellers descend on the site for Midsummer's Day as part of a pre-Christian celebration of the sun. However the monument has been closed to the public since 1984 when disorderly behaviour from the crowds threatened to damage the site. This year, security guards will have a visible presence with backup from the police, but English Heritage says the emphasis is on the public's enjoyment of the event. "We've made arrangements to try to make this a happy and peaceful solstice for people," said a spokeswoman. from the bbc.

Landowners opening Stonehenge to public for summer solstice The Associated Press LONDON (June 19, 2000 5:00 p.m. EDT http://www.nandotimes.com) - For the first time in 16 years, the public will be able to greet the dawn of the summer - the first of the new millennium - at the ancient stone circle of Stonehenge. But fearing a return of the unruly revelers who have defiled the monument in the past, site owners English Heritage have agreed to open the stones for just eight hours, starting Tuesday night. Security will be tight at the site on Salisbury plain, 80 miles southwest of London. And camping, fires, dogs and amplified music will be forbidden. Stonehenge, a double circle of large stones erected by prehistoric Britons 5,000 years ago, became a popular spot for solstice celebrations in the late 1980s, when pagan worshippers flocked to the site to perform age-old ceremonies. In 1988, a group of 4,000 revelers tried to break police lines to join the white-robed druids. Following clashes, nine people were injured and 70 arrested. Two years ago, 100 people were allowed to attend the solstice by prior arrangement, an event which proved peaceful. But last year riot police had to be called in after gate-crashers pushed down fences and clambered on the stones. Druids, for whom the solstice is the holiest day of the year, believe Stonehenge was a center for pre-Christian and astronomical worship and therefore consider it a sacred site. English Heritage has said it will decide whether to open the stones for future solstices after seeing how people behave this year.

>celesita.com: > >Summer Solstice >By Robin DuMolin >>>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Solstice [Fr. from L. solstitium; sol, the sun, and sto, to stand;] The time of year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the celestial equator. - Funk and Wagnalls Dictionary. The summer solstice occurs on June 21st. It is a time distinctive on an astrological level and also a time of year celebrated by ancient civilizations with their unique traditions to mark the summer season. Nearly every religion of the world shows traces of astrological influence. The old Testament of the Jews, its writings by Egyptian culture, is a mass of astrological and astronomical allegories. Nearly all the mythology of Greece and Rome may be traced in star groups. The ancient systems of measuring the year were based upon the equinoxes and solstices. >>>> The summer solstice was celebrated when the sun reached its most northerly position. It is regarded as occurring in Cancer (the Crab). It is evident that the constellation of the Crab is represented by this particular creature because the sun, after passing through this house, precedes to work backwards, or descend the zodiacal arc. >>>As for the history of the summer solstice, for centuries people in Europe celebrated springtime by lighting fires. These might have been fires kindled at hillsides to drive away witches and to help the sun with its task of warming the earth. On May Day the Celts, who had lived in Scotland and Ireland since ancient times, would make a fire out of gorse to burn out the witches. This was part of the Celtic fire festival called Beltane. Beltane means "Bright Fire." When the Celts decided to celebrate the solst ice they simply extended their fire rituals to Midsummer Eve. In Sweden a Midsummer Tree was set up and decorated. The villagers danced around it, lit fires and jumped over them. On Midsummer Day it was also the custom for women and girls to bathe in a river. Long ago this bathing was considered magic for bringing the life-giving rain. In a river the water is always moving, always renewed. > The sun, as supreme among the celestial bodies visible to the astronomers of antiquity, was assigned to the highest of the gods and became symbolic of the supreme authority of the Creator Himself. >>>The Natchez Indians in the southern part of the U.S. worshipped the sun and believed their ruler was descended from him. Every summer they held a first fruits ceremony. No one was allowed to touch the ripe ears of corn in his own field until the ceremony was finished. The Hopi Indians of Arizona would have masked men wearing bright paint and feathers who danced their special rituals. They represented the dancing spirits of rain and fertility called Kachinas. The Kachinas were messengers between man and the gods. At Midsummer the Kachinas leave the Hopi villages to return to their homes in the mountains. While they are there, for half the year, they are believed to visit the dead underground and hold cermonies for them. The Catholic Church chose Midsummer for celebrating the birth of Saint John the Baptist and called it Saint John's Day. John was the forerunner of Jesus and baptized Him in the river Jordan.

from web-holidays.com The Midsummer Festival at Web Holidays Email This Page To A Friend! The Midsummer Festival is a hundred-year-old tradition in Scandinavia. It celebrates the earth, summer, and the longest day of sunlight-Summer Solstice (which actually falls on June 21st). In the North it is the time of the midnight sun. Many cultures have held celebrations of the Summer Solstice including the Egyptians, Africans, the Druids, and the Incas. As with most Old World celebrations, Christianity has influenced some of the traditions. The festival is quite fun but now honors St. John the Baptist rather than pagan gods. Many places celebrate Midsummer on St. John's Day, June 24th. However, Sweden keeps the two holidays separate. Midsummer is celebrated on the weekend closest to St. John's Day. Huge bonfires are built. In pagan time's people would jump over the bonfires for luck. In Finland, the bonfire is called a "kokko". The wood that's used has been collected throughout the year. Homes are decorated with garlands of wildflowers and greenery. People dance, visit friends and relatives all night. Ancient ritualistic dances were performed to drive away evil spirits and ensure a fertile land today the dances are just for fun. In Sweden Maypoles are erected and danced about. Huge crosses called a "midsommarstoeng" are also built. The branches from birch trees are used to build the structure, then it is covered with leaves and flowers. Traditions include girls collecting seven to nine different wildflowers and placing them under their pillows in hopes of dreaming of their future loves. Boys use a copper coin. In ancient days it was believe that on this one night ferns would blossom, only the true of heart would be able to find the rare fern flower. Dew was collected that gathered on the leaves and flowers on the Midsummer's night as it held magical healing properties. Witch Ladder's were built by tying feathers into a special braided cord while making several wishes. Midsummer was and is a popular time to wed under the midnight sun. An emphasis is put on dairy products and cows. It was believed that a cows' milk may be bewitched the night before and so cows were kept safe inside. Only after the dew had gone away may the cows go out to graze. Midsummer celebrations are celebrated all over, including parts of the United States and British Columbia.

Aloha kakou, Amazing! Our very own wizardess! Thanks Terry. Of course it was Midsummer Night and my dream was far away freezing his butt off in a midwinter solsice event which involved keeping warm. I had hoped to send him beaming sunshine and fragrant warmth from another island on the other end of the Pacific. I hope he felt it! A hui ho kakou!

I think this time of year, our ancient Keltic forebears went into the woods and either did "apple-howling" or beat the trunks of trees with heavy implements to encourage their new growth and regeneration. I have no doubt whatsoever that this also ivolved liberal libations both internal (the participants) and those poured on the ground to encourage their buried ancestors to push up new crops from under the soil. Go out and whomp your trees, Rob! We notherners did fertility things. I probably don't need to elaborate here about that *;)

Liam, thanks for this. Not for nothing I was once known as the Marcianess of Stonehenge-sans-Druids (meaning New Age sort) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/et?ac=004826292612046&rtmo=lzllvbnt&atmo=rrrrrrrq&pg=/et/01/6/22/nsolst22.html Dawn at Stonehenge 10,000 mark solstice at Stonehenge By Peter Foster MORE than 10,000 assorted druids, spiritualists and New Age travellers gathered at Stonehenge yesterday to witness the summer solstice. Dawn broke on the longest day of the year to a chorus of druidical chanting, drumming and the jangle of Morris dancing bells as a broad church met under the circle of prehistoric stones on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire. For the second year in succession English Heritage and Wiltshire Police did not try to prevent visitors entering the 5,000-year stone circle, which is usually fenced off. Police reported only five arrests - all for possession of soft drugs - and English Heritage said they were "pleased" with the general level of behaviour despite several of the revellers climbing on to the giant stones. Those who stayed up long enough to catch the dawn, which broke at 4.55am, were rewarded with a spectacular sunrise. Rollo Maughling, the arch-druid of Glastonbury, led the pagan rituals, chanting in between delivering loud blasts on a coachman's horn. He was forced to compete with didgeridoos, a 10-piece samba band, three bagpipes, cow bells, tambourines, guitars and the enthusiastic jingling of the White Horse Morris troupe celebrating their 50th anniversary.

Gadzooks, I am soooo glad I missed THAT party. One year we were there for the solstic and had planned to avoid Stonehenge and do Avebury instead. We got the dates wrong and met up with every lunatic fringer on earth that day. They despoiled everything the touched, camped on the round barrows nearby and generally were untidy and littered the whole scene. I spent most of my time talking with a very indulgent member of the constabulary. I asked him why they had the rhyolite (LAVA !) "altar" stone covered with a heavy tarpaulin. He said it was to prevent some unmentionable act being performed on it by some overzealous celebrant. Need I add that the air was thick with mind-altering substances. It was unforgettable but not for the reason origially indended, I think! It was covered on our local evening news last night. Auwe!

terry, you are really with this summer solstice thing, huh? great stuff though!

Terry did not post any images. I rather fancied Liam's of his dolmen with the sun setting behind it. Wish I had gotten it behind the world's most massive mountain/volcano, but it was totally hidden in clouds. *sigh*

Yeah, I got fanatical around June 21st, wolfie. It's really feeling like summer today out here in Cedar Creek.

A report from the trenches.... The solstice in northern IL was cold (61 deg F) and rainy - it did clear up later in the day somewhat... Last nite, I did make it to the Summer Solstice Party at the museum of contemporary art in downtown Chicago. This was a 24 hour party with art exhibits, music, dancing, and general mayhem. Got there around 9pm just as the Cuban salsa band played its last song - that would have been some serious booty shaking but ohwell.... Lots of people on the lawn and sitting around blabbing plus some live art demos. Long lines at the drink and food bar. There was an interesting puppet/shadow play going on one side of the building with a huge group of people watching and some drummer on an elevated stage doing percussion. Entry was a grocery bag full of soup cans for the food pantry which was a good cause. Anyway, walking up to the main building reminded me of some of the college parties that took place at the student union. The crowd consisted of all ages - lots of raver kids which seemed the majority, art patron older folks, people in costume, people out of costume, and just people - like I said, general mayhem. I guess Im going through one of those awkward transitional ages where Im no longer part of the younger raver crowd but I aint an old fart just yet. Anyway, made it up to the foyer where 'intelligent dance music' was being played. The music was drum n bass, house, and techno with a definite mechanical tinge to it. The walls were sprayed with trippy computer generated psychedelic scenes and high speed subliminal photos. The room was too crowded so my date and I pretty much hung to the back - there were a few people bobbing around towards the front but I didnt get in any robot movements. I always liked this music more for listening but it does have dance possibilites. I find it more interesting than the generic disco/techno anthems that get played nowadays on commercial radio. This stuff was more similar to 'Kraut Rock' ala Tangerene Dream, Kraftwerk, Can, etc with plenty of mechanical bleeps, beeps, and pharts. Moved back outside to the covered area for drinkie-poos and less crowding - the bev's were expensive! Plus, this seemed to be the designated smoking area. When the main gallery opened up, back we went. More beeping and bopping with a different DJ/band and then into the larger rooms to take in some art. Ok, now the disclaimer, I like the art work of the old masters but I'll give the modern stuff a try. As we walked around, the art ranged from thought provoking/interesting to "can you believe someone got a grant to do that?! Thats art? man, Im in the wrong field...." At one point, we found a pink curly feather from someone's boa (the owner being M or F was never determined) This led to an analysis of the stark art and meaning of the found object - one point being pleasure, the other point being pain. This segued into deconstructing the item into its base sex/death symbolism... anyway, moving along... Once again, most of the crowd was the artsy fartsy types mingling with the north shore patrons, club kids, freaks, weirdos, normals, and everything else in between. Most phun, indeed! Down to the museum store where I bought a book on European electronic media art and a CD of world beat techno dance music which was absolutely fabulous although I did pass up on a historical CD of electronic music/art from the 20's/30's up to the 80's (should of brought more $$!) A few more rounds and then it was past the witching hour so we made our way off the grounds to get my vehicle out of parking garage hell after paying a hefty ransom. Passed up a chance to get a henna tattoo - money thing again although a nice Gaelic weave would have been neat. The night was clear and the Hancock building was lit up against the night sky - for 1:30am the streets were full of people. Driving on, up north, to the less fashionable, less artsy, bland northern burbs where the sky was a bit darker and the stars could be seen. 73 de AA9IL Mike radio cosmo international

Celtic knotwork would have been so cool, Mike! I have a whole book of how to create those intricate patterns. How great that you were back in academe scene for your solstice! Yeah, I also noticed that they are letting in little kids now as freshmen. We were so mature by comparison! (yup...sure...uh huh!!) I am glad I got your clouds. You made much better use of it than I did. *Bug warm solstice Hugs* for sharing. That sounds cosmic as only you can make it. I'd be jealous if it were anyone but you!

Solstice is the major cool time of the year (except during the winter solstice which is major cold)... Yep, Ive noticed that college is letting in little kids now ...just dont understand that. Look forward to hearing/seeing some more Solstice stuff on this page - tres neat! 73 de Mike r c i

Ye Olde Fertility Rites. Where would we be without them?! I am so happy someone other than I find them fascinating. Will definitely post more anon!

Ok, cool! There is something to celebrating an Earth holiday that transcends all. Looking forward to your postings - Im off looking at wireless freenet pages - hoping to rekindle the radio discussion page. c-ya de Mike AA9IL

just the merest tinge of astro-archaeology and Megalithic in me to go with the real stuff. I'll be posting. Along with healthy appetites of earthy renewal and all that good stuff. I saw you off posting. Go to it, and I shall be off in pursuit of the fertile and aligned seasons. 3's n 8's Kilauea to Kosmo