I'm
going to let you in on a little pet peeve of mine: People who say
that the Summer Solstice marks the beginning of summer. I mean...
Hello?!?! Have you been in a
cave the last few months? Have you somehow missed the swelteringly
hot days and crippling humidity? I haven't. My hair hasn't. But
apparently my afro and I know something that the rest of society
refuse to acknowledge and that's this: Summer began with the
lighting of the Beltane bonfires. What the Summer Solstice marks is
not the start of
summer but the half-way
point – hence the term “midsummer.”
The
Summer Solstice is also called “Litha” (among other things) and
is one of the four “Lesser Sabbats” of the Pagan year. It normally falls on the 20th/21st of June. This year, the Solstice ocurs on the 20th (tomorrow). The Sun reaches
its peak on the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, and as
the old saying goes, it's all downhill from there. The Sun's power
begins to fade and the days begin to shorten again, leading us to the
end of summer (and the start of Autumn) at Lammas/Lughnasadh.
I've
never been much of a Sun worshipper myself, preferring Moonlight and
shadows (as well you know) but even I can't deny the magick apparent
at this time of the year. Today Dylan Dog and I took a stroll through
woods and it was absolute bliss. All the trees and shrubs are growing wild, the flowers are in bloom, the birds are singing... It's
like a Disney movie come to life. I'm glad I got to take the time to
connect with Nature today since I know that tomorrow will probably be
a busy day for me and the Solstice will have to contend with Pay Day
(or, as I like to call it, Bill Day).
The
Ancients would celebrate the Summer Solstice with dancing and
feasting long into the long night. Indeed, there will be many Pagan
celebrations tomorrow, all around the world, including the
traditional ritual at Stonehenge. How will I celebrate? *sigh*
I would love to wear a garland of flowers in my hair and walk
barefoot in the fields... but somehow I doubt my reality would allow
that. The weather isn't suppose to be bad, though, so maybe I will
take a walk in my lunch hour – maybe stop and buy myself a bouquet
of bright flowers and stuff myself on Summer fruit... I could think
of worse ways to celebrate!
