TWH – Today, we honor the abundant light in the northern hemisphere and the returning light in the southern hemisphere. This year, the solstice arrives on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at 20:51 UTC (10:51 PM Central European Time; 4:51 PM Eastern Daylight Time). At The Wild Hunt headquarters in Miami, just about 2 degrees latitude north of the Tropic of Cancer, we will enter summer along with the rest of the northern hemisphere (which for us in Miami means transitioning from hot and humid to even more of the same). Meanwhile, the southern hemisphere will be entering winter.
The solstice is a consequence of the Earth’s tilted axis of 23.5 degrees from the plane of its orbit around the sun. The tilt has brought us the solstices and equinoxes and, thus, the seasons.
The summer solstice is marked by a variety of Pagan traditions, and the TWH team is celebrating with our community. In the northern hemisphere, the Earth’s tilt faces the sun, while the far south is covered in darkness, and both are moments that are meaningful in science and spirit.
Solstice at Stonehenge [Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0]
Despite yesterday’s events, English Heritage circulated its link to view the summer solstice live with the sunset on June 20 at 8 PM British Summer Time.
One of the earliest references to the solstice in US newspapers occurs in the Daily National Intelligencer from Washington, DC, on Wednesday, June 20, 1821,
The solstices had been referenced four years earlier in a rather cryptic article about comets in the sample publication on August 28, 1817. In that article, we are informed that “the heat of boiling water is three times greater than dry earth at the summer solstice.”
National Geographic reminds us that the solstice is also deeply rooted in human culture.
The summer solstice—also called midsummer—has long been recognized and often celebrated by many cultures around the world. The ancient Egyptians, for example, built the Great Pyramids so that the sun, when viewed from the Sphinx, sets precisely between two of the pyramids on the summer solstice.
The roots of all these such celebrations were naturally pre-Christian. The early Christian church co-opted the holidays as part of liturgical festivals. Deutsche Welle wrote that “Midsummer day eventually became a holiday in the religions of the Germanic, Scandinavian, Baltic, Slav and Celtic peoples” and noted that “During the Christianization of Europe, a Christian interpretation was implanted into formerly pagan holidays and their rites and customs. This also holds true for the winter and summer solstices. During the first centuries after Christ, they were celebrated on Christ’s birthday on December 24/25, as well as on June 24/25.”
Indeed, in honor of the wealth of sunshine, many cultures have celebrated with outdoor festivals well into the “night” and building bonfires along with dancing and music as part of both traditional religious rituals and secular celebrations.
In some modern Pagan practices, it is believed that this holiday represents the highest ascendancy of masculine divinity.
Some Pagans, especially those celebrating in Celtic traditions, see the solstices as the biannual battle between the Oak King and the Holly King. The Oak King is at his zenith of power in the north while the Holly King is at his peak in the south.
Other traditions see the solstice as a turn. In the north, the power of the plentiful light is a reminder to enjoy the moment, for the light begins to wane as we turn to the dark. Similarly, for the Southern Hemisphere, the solstice is a reminder that despite the darkest night, the light remains unconquered.
The summer solstice is also known as Midsummer in some traditions and Litha in others.
In Sweden, Midsommar is an official holiday celebrated with the co-occurring Feast of St. John in the Christian church. While previously set as June 24, the Swedish Parliament declared in 1952 that the holiday should be celebrated on the weekend. So now it occurs on the Saturday between June 20 and June 26, with celebrations beginning on Midsummer’s Eve. This year, Midsommar is Saturday, June 22.
Offshore [Photo Credit: MJTM]
In Spain, especially in the Celt-Iberian regions, Midsummer is a time to harvest herbs and dip in the ocean for fertility.
Manny Moreno wrote about some personal summer solstice traditions in Salt, Tears or the Sea, that he experienced being in Florida and of both African and Celtic descent:
For us in Florida, though, when celebrating midsummer, there were three things you were supposed to do over the course of the day and into the night besides eat the ajiaco. The first of these was to jump over a small fire at least once. A small burning log was separated from the fires for us to jump over for the kids. The second thing was to bring herbs like basil, rosemary and oregano to wash in the surf. They were then bundled together and hung to dry at home, forming little salt crystals all over them. They were to be used during the next few days for both culinary and spiritual purposes. The third thing we were supposed to do is to stand with your back to the ocean and fall backwards into it seven times.
Our weekend editor, Eric O. Scott, shared a story about his visit to Iceland that echoes both solstices in his essay The Candle:
MIDSUMMER, I carve into the wax. If I were more clever, I would have thought to look up phrases in Icelandic for this purpose before I left for Tjörnin, but it was too late for that now. I had to settle for English words, in letters that predated either of the languages that currently make up my world, the language of my birth (the language of power, comfort, ignorance, colonialism) and the language of this land (the language of frustration, error, isolation, faith.) ICELAND, MIDSUMMER 2014 I carve, along with three other words, and I set the candle to burning, to release my spell into the night.
Earlier this week, the town of Genzano di Roma in Italy, located across Lake Nemi from the Sanctuary of Diana, hosted its Infiorata, an annual event featuring street art made with flower petals. We thought you would enjoy some of the images.
From all of us at The Wild Hunt, thank you again for your time reading, your encouragement, and whatever support you are able to offer: social, financial, magickal, and spiritual.
Blessings of the Turning of the Wheel! Be it Midsummer, Litha, Yule, or simply honoring the science of the Earth’s tilt – may our guides offer their counsel and may there be much joy ahead!
The Wild Hunt is grateful for the community’s continued support.
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Circle Sanctuary’s High Priestess Selena Fox told WPR’s “Wisconsin Today” that she and those of her church draw influence from ancient pagan traditions worldwide. Located on 200 acres of a Wisconsin nature preserve near Barneveld, Circle Sanctuary is preparing for members to travel from Wisconsin’s Driftless Area to Missouri to celebrate this year’s summer solstice at one of the largest nature spirituality festivals in the country. More on Selena’s comments and PSG on Wisconsin Public Radio.
The Pagan Spirit Gathering, which began on Sunday, spans over eight days in Missouri this year. We’ve been hearing wonderful things!
Congratulations!
Editorial Note: The Research Request below has been rescinded at the researcher’s request.
Happening This Sunday: Anima Verde
A new non-profit organization in Rome, Itlay is celebrating the solstice this weekend. Anima Verde is and a new organization that “aims to carry forward issues of spirituality, folklore, ancient and magical cults, shamanism, Wicca, holistic, animal rights, solidarity, well-being, nature, vegetarianism, and veganism.”
If you happen to be in Rome, they are inviting the community to their event: Witch’s Magic – St. John’s Night/ Magicherie di Strega – Notte di San Giovanni 🌙. They write: “We invite you to join us for an enchanted evening of dancing around the witches’ bonfire! Bring your drums, rattles, and any instruments you want to play with, because we’ll be dancing and playing into the night!” The event is on Saturday, June 22 and more details are below on their social media site:
Hey amici! Siete pronti per un’esperienza magica?
Vi invitiamo a unirvi a noi per una serata incantata di danze intorno al falò delle streghe!Portate i vostri tamburi, sonagli e qualsiasi strumento con cui desiderate suonare, perché balleremo e suoneremo fino a notte fonda!
Vi invitiamo a unirvi a noi per una serata incantata di danze intorno al falò delle streghe!L’appuntamento è per sabato 22 giugno alle ore 22. Sarà un’occasione unica per immergersi nella magia della notte e celebrare l’estate che sta arrivando!Non vediamo l’ora di condividere questo momento speciale con voi e di creare un’atmosfera incantata intorno al fuoco!Vi aspettiamo numerosi! Segnatevi la data e preparatevi ad entrare nel regno delle magicherie di strega!
Announcements
The Delmarva Pagan Pride Festival will be offered June 30th, 2024 rain or shine at the Dover, DE outdoor Legislative Mall. This incredible day of classes, music, ritual, and shopping is offered to the community at no cost but we do encourage bringing a canned good donation for the local food bank which can be dropped off at the information desk. Please see our Facebook page for guest announcements and schedule releases. All are welcome, hope to see you there!
The sixth annual Mystic South Conference will take place July 26-28, 2024! Mystic South is filled with workshops, educational abstract presentations, rituals, community building, and much more. With the backdrop of the grand city of Atlanta, be a part of our celebration of the diversity of the peoples and religious practices, both past and present, that make up the Southern US region.
The conference also announced that their tickets are on sale. Get your tickets now and, get some for your friends, your neighbors, or just some random person you met on the street!
Do you have news to share with our community?
Announcements? Elevations? Events?
Let us know at pcn@wildhunt.org.
Tarot of the Week by Star Bustamonte
Deck: Celestial Tarot, artwork by Kay Steventon and Brian Clark, published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
Card: Prince of Swords – Mutable Air
This week has the potential to be underlined by ambition and could result in the need to be in overdrive to achieve projected goals. While there may be a pronounced feeling that calls for swift action, using intellectual skills and reasoning will be key to successfully advancing ideas and plans. Collaboration and discussion with folks who share a similar goal may help to provide a new approach to employ.
In contrast, actions taken without properly thinking things through or behaving in an impulsive manner are likely to create frustration and not resolve the issue at hand. Impatience to move forward combined with a lack of direction or focus is liable to result in running in circles, as well as leading to exhaustion and possible burnout.
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