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Midsummer Solstice
The sun is at its strongest and maximum height at midsummer. The longest day is celebrated at Summer Solstice on June 21st or 22nd. In the Pagan tradition, Midsummer is also referred to as Litha, which means a stopping of the sun. It is a time when they celebrate growth and life, and they think that the Goddess who takes over from the horned God in spring will be at the height of her fertility. People believed that midsummer plants had healing qualities and so would pick them on the night of the Solstice. It has been a significant event in the annual cycle of the year since Neolithic times. The Celts celebrated with bonfires which would add to the power of the sun and to protect against evil spirits as the sun turned southwards. Pagans called the Midsummer moon the ‘Honey Moon’ as the mead which was consumed during wedding ceremonies was made from fermented honey. The garlands used at Midsummer festivities, comprise of flowers and herbs thought to ward off evil as it was believed that Midsummer was a magical time when evil spirits were said to appear. St John’s Wort was traditionally harvested on this day believed to be powered by the sun and was the plant known as ‘chase devil’. Today it is used by herbalists to help with depression and stabilize a person’s mood.
After Christianity became adopted into Britain, the festival became known as St John’s day in the church calendar and St John the Baptist’s birthday. Folklore said it was a time when fairies were at there most powerful which is reflected in William Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s dream.
Today, the Solstice is celebrated by Druids in Wiltshire as Stonehenge or Avebury also in Wiltshire. The alignment of the Stones in these circles is thought to coincide with the rising and setting points of the sun and moon. The stone known as the Heel stone, is supposed to be aligned so the sun rises above the Heel stone when viewed from inside the circle, but this is not quite true as it is believed that the Heel stone had a partner which stood beside it and when the midsummer sun would shine it’s rays through the rows of stones into the centre of Stonehenge. However the exact reason the Stones were positioned where they are is greatly argued amongst many astronomers and archaeologists. It is thought that the stones have over time been moved slightly from their original positions. The positions of the planets and stars have also moved from the perspective of Earth’s horizon as there have been small variations in the Earth’s orbit around the sun. These minute movements can change dates and times by centuries. Archaeologists have come to the conclusion that Stonehenge was probably a multipurpose ceremonial site.
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BLH Wiki
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Updated Last:
Midsummer Solstice
The sun is at its strongest and maximum height at midsummer. The longest day is celebrated at Summer Solstice on June 21st or 22nd. In the Pagan tradition, Midsummer is also referred to as Litha, which means a stopping of the sun. It is a time when they celebrate growth and life, and they think that the Goddess who takes over from the horned God in spring will be at the height of her fertility. People believed that midsummer plants had healing qualities and so would pick them on the night of the Solstice. It has been a significant event in the annual cycle of the year since Neolithic times. The Celts celebrated with bonfires which would add to the power of the sun and to protect against evil spirits as the sun turned southwards. Pagans called the Midsummer moon the ‘Honey Moon’ as the mead which was consumed during wedding ceremonies was made from fermented honey. The garlands used at Midsummer festivities, comprise of flowers and herbs thought to ward off evil as it was believed that Midsummer was a magical time when evil spirits were said to appear. St John’s Wort was traditionally harvested on this day believed to be powered by the sun and was the plant known as ‘chase devil’. Today it is used by herbalists to help with depression and stabilize a person’s mood.
After Christianity became adopted into Britain, the festival became known as St John’s day in the church calendar and St John the Baptist’s birthday. Folklore said it was a time when fairies were at there most powerful which is reflected in William Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s dream.
Today, the Solstice is celebrated by Druids in Wiltshire as Stonehenge or Avebury also in Wiltshire. The alignment of the Stones in these circles is thought to coincide with the rising and setting points of the sun and moon. The stone known as the Heel stone, is supposed to be aligned so the sun rises above the Heel stone when viewed from inside the circle, but this is not quite true as it is believed that the Heel stone had a partner which stood beside it and when the midsummer sun would shine it’s rays through the rows of stones into the centre of Stonehenge. However the exact reason the Stones were positioned where they are is greatly argued amongst many astronomers and archaeologists. It is thought that the stones have over time been moved slightly from their original positions. The positions of the planets and stars have also moved from the perspective of Earth’s horizon as there have been small variations in the Earth’s orbit around the sun. These minute movements can change dates and times by centuries. Archaeologists have come to the conclusion that Stonehenge was probably a multipurpose ceremonial site.
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