Juneteenth
WASHINGTON— Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day, is the newest federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. But it has been celebrated by states and communities for many years. Juneteenth has been celebrated by African Americans since the late 1800s.
Author and Priestess Lilith Dorsey has explored the many ways Juneteenth is celebrated on her Voodoo Universe blog. In her post Juneteenth Recipe Roundup, she highlights the vital role of food in honoring the occasion, writing, “For at its center, Juneteenth is about celebrating our hard-won freedom on every level… nourishing ourselves no matter what illusions life dishes out.”
Our wonderful Clio Ajana wrote in 2021, “Everyone has a journey with struggles. I view Juneteenth as a time to acknowledge not just the struggles from physical enslavement, but the stresses and restrictions that each person who has fought for freedom and independence faces…. We celebrate the resilience that sustains us through hard times, however, they may appear or have appeared in our lives.”
There is still much to learn about Juneteenth, and here is a great place to start to learn why the holiday is so important.
Happy June Solstice!
EARTH (pretty much everywhere) – This weekend, in the Northern Hemisphere, we honor the abundant light. In the Southern Hemisphere, we welcome the promise of the sun’s return. The June solstice marks this celestial shift, and it is almost upon us.
In 2026, the solstice arrives on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at 4:24 AM EDT (08:24 UTC).
Here at The Wild Hunt headquarters in Miami, Florida— slightly north of the Tropic of Cancer, the northernmost latitude the Sun reaches on Earth while directly overhead—we will celebrate this turning point with our global Pagan community, albeit within air conditioning.
The solstice occurs because Earth is tilted at approximately 23.5 degrees on its axis, likely shaped by a giant collision early in Earth’s history billions of years ago. That axial tilt gives us the seasons and the sacred rhythm of equinoxes and solstices, moments that speak to both our scientific curiosity and spiritual insight.
In the north, today is the longest day of the year. The Sun’s energy is at its peak. In the far south, it is the shortest, a time of deep stillness. Together, they remind us of the flow of energy within our world.
In places like Prudhoe Bay, Alaska (70° N latitude), the sun has not set since mid-May. Continuous daylight will continue until early August, after which nights gradually return as autumn approaches. In Reykjavík, Iceland (64°08′ N), there will be twilight but no full night until late August or early September.
Meanwhile, the South Pole remains in polar night and will not see the sun again until September, though twilight will gradually return as the equinox approaches. Further north in Ushuaia, one of the southernmost cities in the world, there will be just seven hours and 12 minutes of daylight today. In Wellington, the southernmost national capital, there will be about 9 hours and 11 minutes of sunshine. And in Cape Town, daylight will stretch to roughly 9 hours and 54 minutes, reflecting its more temperate location during the Southern Hemisphere’s winter.
June solstice graphic
Across cultures and traditions, the solstice is sacred.
English Heritage reminds us that Stonehenge was constructed in alignment with the solstices. This year’s celebration at the ancient monument runs from 7 p.m. Friday, June 20, to 8 a.m. Saturday, June 21. Details are available on their website.
In many Pagan paths, this time of year represents the zenith of the solar or masculine divinity. In Celtic-influenced traditions, it is the moment the Oak King stands at the height of his power in the Northern Hemisphere, only to begin his waning, while the Holly King begins his rise in the south.
Analemma photo taken from 1998 to 1999 from Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill. by Jfishburn [CC BY-SA 3.0]
For some, the solstice is a moment of joy and gratitude. In the north, we are reminded that even as light reigns, the turning has begun, and the days will now grow shorter. In the south, the darkness begins to lift—a reminder that no night lasts forever. In both hemispheres, the solstice teaches balance, transition, and awe.
The Summer Solstice is also known as Litha in some Pagan traditions, and as Midsummer in others. In Sweden, Midsommar is a beloved national holiday, celebrated alongside the Christian Feast of St. John. Since 1952, it has been observed on the Saturday between June 20 and 26—this year falling on Sunday, June 21. Celebrations begin on Midsummer’s Eve with dancing, floral wreaths, and feasting.
In Spain, especially in Celt-Iberian regions, it’s a time for harvesting herbs and taking ritual baths in the sea—acts believed to bring fertility and protection. In his reflective piece Salt, Tears or the Sea, TWH managing editor, Manny Tejeda y Moreno, shared personal solstice traditions shaped by his diverse heritage:
“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, offered his midsummer reverie from his time in Iceland, where light lingers deep into the night. In his essay The Candle, he reflects:
“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.”
solstice celebration in Florida (Photo Credit: S. Ciotti)
From all of us at The Wild Hunt, thank you for your time, your encouragement, and all the ways—social, financial, magickal, and spiritual—you support this work.
Whether you are gathering beneath the midsummer sun, welcoming the return of the light, or honoring the sacred rhythms of the Earth, we wish you Solstice blessings. May the light guide your steps, the dark teach its mysteries, and your journey be filled with joy, balance, and wonder.
Correllian Nativist Church – Releases a Statement on DOD religious affiliation coding revision from the First Priesthood
We Correllians are a diverse Tradition. People from many backgrounds and professions as well as personal and political beliefs. What unites us is our shared belief in the inherent divinity of all things, our respect and veneration of our Ancestors, and a fierce independence of spirit.
We have many veterans amongst our clergy and outer court. People who have served their country as proud Pagans and fought for their right to be recognized as such. We as a Tradition, joined in the fight to have the pentacle available on headstones, ever fighting to advance the rights and recognition of the Pagan people.
We are horrified by the decision to remove, not just Paganism, but at least 180 different faiths from the list of religions recognized by the US military. It is a step backward from everything we fought so hard to gain and, if it is allowed to stand, will make it much easier for us to be further disenfranchised. Have no doubt, Christian dominionism is the goal, and they will use any person or movement or misstep to accomplish that goal. We cannot stand for it. We cannot sit idly and watch as our faith and so many others are delegitimized step by step. It is a slippery slope toward a nation in which other faiths are not permitted. To those members of our community that see no issue with this; don’t be surprised when the leopard eats your face too.
We encourage our membership and all Pagans to make sure your voices are heard. Write to your officials, call them, let them know that we exist and that our members of the armed forces deserve every ounce of the same recognition and legitimization as given to a Christian serviceperson. We are magickal people, and we can manifest the world we want.
In Service,
M. Rev.’s Alyssa Kemp-Highcorrell and Phoenix Eduji Highcorrell
First Priesthood
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As always, our deepest gratitude to everyone who has brought us this far.
Crossings of the Veil
Krystel Neuman Highcorrell
Krystel Neuman Highcorrell [Courtesy
Her Eminence, the Beloved Krystel Neuman Highcorrell, Witch Queen, Child of Blood and Faith, First Priestess and Elder of the Correllian Nativist Tradition, passed to the next phase of her soul’s journey on June 7, 2026.
We remember her as a gifted psychic and medium, as a priestess, teacher, wife, mother, sister, cousin, and friend. She was unfailingly kind and generous to those she loved. A supportive mentor and spiritual teacher of the highest caliber. She welcomed the world into the Great Family in 1979 and never looked back or questioned the path the Ancestors showed her.
Much as we will miss her wisdom and compassion here in the physical, we as Correllians know that the disincarnate are always with us, praying for us, helping to guide our steps, and protecting us when needed. Lady Krystel has gone now into the waiting arms of the Ancestors, who have prepared a seat for her amongst them. The World Walkers Order, which she founded, has been called upon to aid, guide, and guard her transition and help her prepare for her next incarnation.
She is and was so very loved.
In honor of Beloved Lady Krystel, her niece and nephew, First Priestess M. Rev. Alyssa Kemp- Highcorrell and First Priest M. Rev Phoenix Eduji Highcorrell do declare that the Tradition will enter a one-year period of mourning to conclude June 8th Year 27Aq (2027).
Blessed Be
Hail the Beloved Dead!
What is remembered, Lives!
Tarot of the Week by Star Bustamonte
Deck: The Linestrider Tarot, by Siolo Thompson, published by Llewellyn Worldwide.
Card: Ace of Cups
The next seven days may offer new opportunities and beginnings that are likely to be centered on emotional fulfillment that is reciprocal. Being able to not only give love and support, but also to be willing to receive it when offered is likely to be key. Additionally, there is also the potential for a spiritual component when it comes to feeling fulfilled and satisfied. Energy directed toward major endeavors could culminate in a very good, positive outcome.
Conversely, emotions may be overwhelming this week, and the cup has the potential to overflow in ways that could be unhelpful and even unhealthy. Bottled-up feelings are liable to spew out unexpectedly when least desired or helpful. Any situations that may trigger grief, anger, or other negative emotions should be carefully considered beforehand. Restoring some semblance of balance through healing work is indicated to avoid major outbursts.
And some music…
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