In the Northern Hemisphere, the festival of Midsummer is traditionally celebrated at the time of the summer solstice, generally thought of a being on June 21st, though it can fall at any time between the 21st and 22nd, depending on the time zone you’re in. (Note that in the Southern Hemisphere, the June solstice is the Winter Solstice.)
The word ‘solstice’ comes from the Latin solsitium, or ‘sun stands still’ – the day when the sun appears to stand still as it reaches its highest point in the sky, an illusion which occurs because the Earth’s axis is tilted as far as it goes toward the sun on that day.
In ancient times, the festival associated with the summer solstice was primarily a Celtic fire festival, representing the shortening days as they gradually headed back towards winter. The ancient ceremonies revolved around beliefs in the power of the sun, which was often revered as the sun god. People would flock to join in with the all-night festivities whilst awaiting the first light of dawn. Midsummer bonfires were lit in the belief that they would add strength to the sun’s energy. In some areas of Scotland, Midsummer fires were still being lit in the countryside well into the 18th century.
At Stonehenge, the sun rises over the ‘Heel Stone’ and is framed by the great trilithon stones of the main entrance. These pictures from my Stonehenge post show the Heel Stone and trilathons (megalithic structures consisting of two upright stones and a third across the top as a lintel).
This diagram below shows the alignment of the sun’s rays through the Heel Stone, which can be seen outside of the circle at the bottom:
The Christian Church designated June 24th as the feast day of St John the Baptist, and in the U.K, from the 13th century onwards, Midsummer’s Eve became known as Saint John’s Eve, though it was still celebrated by feasting and merrymaking, and the lighting of great bonfires. St John’s Wort was traditionally gathered on this day as it was thought to be imbued with the power of the sun, and several other plants were also thought to be more potent at this time. Such flowers would be placed beneath pillows in the hope of wonderful dreams, particularly about future lovers.
Like that of many festivals, St John’s Eve was seen as a time when the veil between this world and the next thinned and powerful forces were free to wander. Careful watch was kept during the night and it was said that if you spent a night at a sacred site during Midsummer Eve, you would gain the powers of a bard (poet). But, it was also thought that people could end up totally mad, dead, or be spirited away by the fairies. Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream is based on the idea that fairies were about and at their most powerful on this night.
The summer solstice is still important to pagans today, and many of them celebrate it at great sites like Stonehenge and Avebury. Some head for other stone circles and ancient monuments or hold small ceremonies in open spaces … everywhere from gardens to woodlands. For witches the solstice forms one of the lesser sabbats – or sections of the wheel of the year – their main festivals being Beltane and Samhain.
Stonehenge is always the most popular site at both the summer and winter solstice, and there are several videos on YouTube for anyone interested. This video gives a very brief look at the summer solstice sunrise at Stonehenge in 2015. I haven’t added the actual video to my post because I’ve no idea about copyright – and I really don’t fancy a massive fine!
Though many of the original traditions no longer exist, some were brought back during the 20th century. Midsummer bonfires are still lit on some high hills in Cornwall, a tradition that was revived by the Old Cornwall Society in the early 20th century.
Naturally, different countries have their own traditions, and this post would go on forever if I attempted to work through them all. The many Midsummer celebrations held in the United States are mostly derived from the cultures of immigrants who arrived from various European nations since the 19th century.
I’ll finish with a quick word about Scandinavia, where the festival of Midsummer is celebrated as much as Christmas. In Sweden, it is a national holiday called Midsommar. Houses are decorated inside and out with wreaths and flowers and people then dance around a decorated midsummer pole while listening to traditional folk songs known to all. As in many other countries, the Midsummer festivities include bonfires and divining the future, especially one’s future partner or spouse.
Refs.
Mysterious Britain and Ireland
Wikipedia
BBC
The Midsumme.co.uk
Office Holidays
Time: Summer Solstice
Millie Thom 
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How wonderful, no one around here celebrates the solstice, I have my own little celebration. Tonights solstice with the strawberry full moon is a rare occurance and very exciting.
The image of you celebrating the solstice on your own really made me giggle, Suzanne, but if that’s what you feel like doing, why not? I’m wondering now how, exactly, you’ll celebrate it. 🙂
I didn’t mention the strawberry moon in my post – I just forgot about it, to be honest. It seems we haven’t had one since 1967. I didn’t realise till I heard it on the news yesterday, that it was given that name by native Americans. Because it was the first full moon in June and signalled the start of the strawberry-picking season, which June is in the UK, I assumed it was a British name. You live and learn, as they say.
Since I couldn’t make it to Stonehenge for the ceremony which I think would be wonderful. I put some wood in my fire pit, lit some candles, had some wine and watched the beautiful full moon. I played appropriate music and set my stones/crystals out to soak up the moons energy after cleansing them. It was peaceful and calming and beautiful.
Today is Summer Solstice, it is so mild and pleasant here today. Thank you for the beautiful text and pictures.
Today has been lovely here today, too, which is a nice change, after yesterday’s heavy rain. Thank you, Holly.
Never heard of this prior to your post Millie.
Thanks for the introduction.
🙂
🙂
I suppose the main thing we hear about this festival is the events at Stonehenge. So I’m not surprised you haven’t heard of it. It’s only small groups of people in other areas. 🙂
Your stories are fascinating and so beautifully written. We don’t get to celebrate over here, but l’ve always like reading about it and anything that has to do with the Universe.
A very lovely festival! It can be good to visit!
It sounds like spending a night at a sacred site during Midsummer Eve is a bit of a risky proposition, it could go either way!
Perhaps it depends on whether the fairies around the site are having a fun night out or not. 🙂
This is so special and interesting! I loved viewing the moon last night it was lovely!
Thanks, Lynn. Funnily enough, I’d never heard of a strawberry moon until this year.
I just heard of it yesterday reading a post haha
Thanks for sharing all of this. I love to learn more about the traditions although I probably have already heard about most of them all the way back in school. Stonehenge is definitely a place I would love to visit one day.
Thanks, Momma. I’ve never been to the solstice festivals but the site itself is wonderful enough to visit. 🙂
Definitely seems like it!
I loved the background and info you provided and not just the photos! Great stuff!
Thanks, Jason. I’ll be getting back to you about my books in the next couple of weeks. Sorry for this late reply. This is the first time I’ve been on my blog for almost two weeks, and am just responding to comments now.
No worries! I understand a busy schedule! 🙂
Nice. I like this
Thank you, Hnin. 🙂
A fun tradition to learn about! BTW, haven’t seen you around in awhile…come, visit, have a read, and post a comment or two!
Thanks Jacob. I’ve been away from my blog so much this year, and owe so many of my blogging friends a few visits. I’ll be sure to visit you over the next few days. I’ve been busy with my writing, you see. Now I’ll be catching up with blogging!
Oh the Midsummer bonfires of my childhood! The best memories.
Really? I’ve never been to one. I can imagine the atmosphere at those events is wonderful. Thanks, Inese. Sorry for the late reply – I haven’t had time for my blog for the last two weeks. I hope to do a little catching up over the next week.
There is no time for blogging in summer 🙂 Most of my blogs are put up long ago 🙂
Hi Inese. I’m struggling to find time for my blog at the moment, with two books to write. I would normally agree with you about summer, but our summer has been awful so far this year. Today has been really horrible – heavy rain, strong winds, hailstones and thunder, all in one day. We had better weather in winter!
I hope to pop over and read some posts I’ve missed during this coming week. Hope all is well over there. 🙂
Millie, this weather is the best for writing, because you don’t want to go outside at all 🙂 Here is the same, another winter. Wishing you loads of inspiration!
Thank you! I can feel the waves of inspiration coming from you to me now. 🙂
🙂
In this part of the world, the summer solstice is intertwined with the upcoming celebration of St-John the Baptist on June 24th. In Quebec, “La St-Jean” is a national holiday, paying tribute to its enduring French heritage, and very much alive in this Canadian province. Fireworks and merriment are in order:)
Yes, the midsummer festival in Britain is also linked to John the Baptist. I love all these old festivals and love to hear about places where they are still kept alive. Thank you, May. 🙂
Still waiting for the summer…..!
Pleased I ended at the Ridgeway not only because of my toes but also the inclement weather…..!
Cameron, I’m afraid I’ve been out of touch with everyone for the last two weeks, and from this comment, I gather you’ve ended your Ridgeway walk – or did you get back to it later on? I’ve looked on your blog and see you haven’t posted (which you did tell us all about) so I can only hope all is well with you, and your toes are OK now. Where do I look for updates about your walks and things in general? Or do we wait for your new blog now? Sorry for all the questions. I’m just trying to carch up. 🙂
That’s cool Millie 🙂
All is good with the Magnet 🙂
I did the walk over six consecutive days and that is the Ridgeway ticked!
I will do Hadrian’s Wall either a little later this year or next year but I shall do it for myself with no charity involvement. Tobe honest I am glad I had decided to split the two walks as I would never have managed them with the pain from the toes!
All is well now and although the toes have mended there were other issues with my feet that are still taking their toll but they too are settling down and when they do I shall start a new training regime which I look forward to very much 🙂
All is really good here with my time pretty much being taken up with my new business and life so I am glad to have decided to take a hiatus from blogging but I promise to post the mammoth journey as soon as I get some time – hopefully the end of this week……
Take care and I hope all is well with you 🙂
Congratulations on finishing the walk! Take care of yourself and I really hope your new business gets off to a flying start.
Thanks Millie 🙂
I believe Stonehenge is overcrowded that day… it has to be magical to be there just alone…
It must be wonderful to be able to get inside the actual circle but, unfortunately, that only happens at times like the midwinter or midsummer solstice, when it’s really crowded. I wouldn’t enjoy that, either. I loathe crowds and all the pushing and shoving that comes with them. 🙂
Now I know something I didn’t know before, that the word ‘solstice’ comes from the Latin solsitium, or ‘sun stands still’. I believe you don’t need to be a pagan to enjoy the sunrise at Stonehenge. 🙂 Lovely post, Millie.
Thanks, Irina. No, you certainly don’t need to be a pagan to enjoy the sunrise. The only downside are the crowds who attend these events. I don’t like crowded places at all. 🙂
Millie, I don’t like crowded places either. 🙂
How interesting Millie! Summer solstice isn’t celebrated around here. I really enjoyed reading about the celebrations 😀
I really enjoy how you cover how so many different groups celebrate this holiday. I wonder how many other cultures through time celebrated it, given how apparent the natural phenomenon is to anyone paying attention, and what they did. I wouldn’t be surprised if they, too, celebrated with bonfires and dancing around poles. It occurs to me that I could use more bonfires and dancing around festively decorated poles in my life!
Oh yes, there’s nothing like a good bonfire and dancing round poles to give that feel good factor. I think the thing is, that they’re all such community activities. When people get together to celebrate these occasions it makes it all so special, and so much fun.
The idea of the sun as a god can be seen in so many ancient cultures. It’s to be expected, of course, given that people recognised that the was all powerful and nothing would survive without it.
Very interesting… have a look at my Blog; Summer solstice down-under… it might blow you out.
I’ll certainly do that very soon. I imagine things are a lot different in your part of the world and I’d certainly be interested to find out about it all. It may well even ‘blow me out’! 😀
Onya… (good on you) Read;White Feather Black Feather… blew me out
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