It is the time of Midsummer, the point between May Day and Lammas, when modern Pagans celebrate the sun god in all his glory. Yet, as he shines brightly, we know that his light will begin to dim. The sunlight begins to give way to darkness until the winter solstice when he will rise again.

In the northern hemisphere, the summer solstice is when the sun reaches it farthest point north of the celestial equator. This day has the greatest amount of time between sunrise and sunset making it the longest day and shortest night of the year. It falls around June 21st every year. In the southern hemisphere, the winter and summer solstices are reversed.

Ancient monuments around the world such as Stonehenge are believed to mark heavenly events including summer solstice. Another name for this holiday is Litha, although there is debate as to the historical origin of the term.

There is evidence of bonfires marking Midsummer Eve going back centuries. This has carried over into the modern solstice celebrations. The crops were planted and now was the time to relax and unwind before the work of the harvest. One tradition from Wales was to roll straw-stuffed wheels set aflame down a hill. There would be a rich harvest if the wheel stayed lit when it reached the bottom.

Wiccans and other Pagans incorporate the dying vegetation god theme into their rites. At this time the Oak King, god of the waxing year gives way to the Holly King, god of the waning year. In this tradition, the two sides of nature and ourselves are honored, the light and the dark shadow self. The Goddess is her most fertile, and this is indeed a passionate season. Handfasting ceremonies are common events for this is a time to celebrate love.

In Norse traditions, solstice eve is as sacred as Yule. The sun goddess Sunna is celebrated as she drives the sun-bearing chariot across the sky. Balder, the god of light, is honored and sacrificed only to be reborn again at Yule. Many traditions that we associate with May Day such as the maypole were practiced at this time in Scandinavian countries.

Modern Pagans celebrate this life-giving warmth and brightness with rituals of much frivolity and lightheartedness. Another tradition is to jump the bonfire much as you would at Beltane for good luck and ridding yourself of negativity. It is summer after all when the beauty of the flourishing earth is most evident.

A wonderful way to bring the energy of this holiday into your life is to get outside, have a picnic and enjoy the sunlight on your face. Celebrate all that you have accomplished the first half of the year gaining energy from the sun's strength to meet your goals for the rest of the year. That's right; take a break and give yourself a pat on the back.

For a more inward approach, you can also work with the light and shadow aspects of this holiday. Focus on which part of yourself you believe needs more attention and development. Honor those aspects that you feel are negative for even they can bring lessons you need to learn.


Sources consulted:
Ellison, Robert Lee. The Solitary Druid: Walking the Path of Wisdom and Spirit, Citadel Press, 2005.
Farrar, Janet and Stewart Farrar. A Witches' Bible: The Complete Witches' Handbook, Phoenix Publishing Inc., 1981.