Dear friends, As the summer solstice approaches, we want to take a moment to send warm greetings to our pagan community. This ancient celebration marks the longest day of the year and holds profound significance across different cultures and beliefs. The summer solstice, also known as Midsummer, Litha, or Alban Hefin, has been revered by pagans for centuries. It is a time when the power of the sun reaches its peak, infusing the world with abundant energy and vitality. The sun, a symbol of light and life, holds great importance in pagan traditions as it represents the masculine aspect of the divine. During this sacred time, pagans gather to honor the sun and the earth, expressing gratitude for the abundance and beauty that surrounds them.
I have always admired these women but it was only today that I noticed how each woman ages as the wheel turns and each season has its turn – hadnt been obvious before starting my path but now makes perfect sense.
As I dont really have an outside altar I decided to take some roses and use them to honour ‘Summer’.
Part way through collecting I realised I hadnt said thanks as I was given a timely reminder with a sharp sting from a hidden nettle duly paid my respects and all was well. Before grills and cocktails were the best way to rejoice in the warmth, pagans and wiccans had their own way of giving thanks to the day of light and heat.
During this sacred time, pagans gather to honor the sun and the earth, expressing gratitude for the abundance and beauty that surrounds them. They engage in various rituals, such as bonfires, drum circles, and dancing, to harness the sun's energy and strengthen their connection to the natural world. For many pagans, the summer solstice is also a time of reflection and introspection.
Celebrate the Summer Solstice the Wiccan Way
The Summer Solstice is more than just a long enough day to get all your errands done. For many, many years it's been a day to celebrate the sun, the harvest, and the many benefits of summer's bounty. Before grills and cocktails were the best way to rejoice in the warmth, pagans and wiccans had their own way of giving thanks to the day of light and heat.
This Tuesday morning at 4:45 am GMT, a massive amount of revelers are expected to gather at Stonehenge as the sun rises over the British plains. Last year the BBC reported that 20,000 people were there to greet the sunrise. If you can't be there in your white robes and bare feet to see the sun crest the top of the stone slabs, there are a few ways you can celebrate the Solstice, also known as Litha, Pagan-style.
According to Celebrating the Seasons of Life: Betane to Mabon, by Ashleen O'Gaea, a bonfire was central to ancient solstice celebrations, and sometimes a "Summerpole," decorated with flowers and leafy branches, was erected. Festivities included a deosil (sunwise) dance around a fire or a pole accompanied by chanting and songs of praise for the Sun God, as folklorists at the turn of the 20 th century believed. "The livelier the dance, the better would be the harvest," according to J.A. MacCulloch in The Religion of the Ancient Celts. O'Gaea also explains that in Wiccan tradition, it is custom to wear bright colors such as red, orange, or yellow to signify the sun. And "if anyone wants to wear garlands or ribbons in their hair, so much the better. Any food you provide should be Sun-colored, and perhaps round." Some traditional foods involving such round, sun-colored fruits and vegetables include pumpernickel bread, mead, and grilled foods that use an open flame to represent the sun. Other celebratory foods might have included fruits like lemons, oranges, mangoes, peaches, or nectarines and vegetables like yellow squash, corn, and heirloom tomatoes. Honey was also a popular ingredient in Pagan customs - especially when used in the making of mead, a honeyed alcoholic beverage.
It was also believed that fairies were at their most prevalent during the Solstice. Those following Wiccan or Pagan beliefs traditionally leave out offerings of freshly harvested herbs such as lavender, fennel, chamomile, and rose petals for the fairies. Of course, you are allowed to save some of those herbs for yourself. How are you supposed to have a good Litha if your food is under seasoned?
According to Celebrating the Seasons of Life: Betane to Mabon, by Ashleen O'Gaea, a bonfire was central to ancient solstice celebrations, and sometimes a "Summerpole," decorated with flowers and leafy branches, was erected. Festivities included a deosil (sunwise) dance around a fire or a pole accompanied by chanting and songs of praise for the Sun God, as folklorists at the turn of the 20 th century believed. "The livelier the dance, the better would be the harvest," according to J.A. MacCulloch in The Religion of the Ancient Celts. O'Gaea also explains that in Wiccan tradition, it is custom to wear bright colors such as red, orange, or yellow to signify the sun. And "if anyone wants to wear garlands or ribbons in their hair, so much the better. Any food you provide should be Sun-colored, and perhaps round." Some traditional foods involving such round, sun-colored fruits and vegetables include pumpernickel bread, mead, and grilled foods that use an open flame to represent the sun. Other celebratory foods might have included fruits like lemons, oranges, mangoes, peaches, or nectarines and vegetables like yellow squash, corn, and heirloom tomatoes. Honey was also a popular ingredient in Pagan customs - especially when used in the making of mead, a honeyed alcoholic beverage.
It serves as an opportunity to celebrate personal growth and transformation, embracing the radiant energy of the sun to propel themselves forward on their spiritual journeys. While paganism encompasses a diverse range of beliefs and practices, the summer solstice unites us all in our reverence for nature and the cycles of life. It reminds us of our interconnectedness with the Earth and the importance of living in harmony with the natural world. As the sun reaches its zenith, let us join together in celebration and solidarity. May this summer solstice bring you warmth, joy, and renewed inspiration. May you find strength in the sun's rays and may your spirit shine as bright as the mid-summer sky. Wishing you a blessed summer solstice. With love and light, [Your Name].
Reviews for "Bringing Light into Darkness: Pagan Beliefs and Celebrations of the Solstice"
1) John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Summer solstive greetings pagan". The plot was scattered and hard to follow, and the characters were lackluster and uninteresting. The writing style was also quite dull, and I struggled to stay engaged throughout the book. Overall, I found it to be a mediocre read and wouldn't recommend it.
2) Sarah - 1 star - I couldn't finish "Summer solstive greetings pagan". The story was incredibly slow-paced and nothing exciting seemed to happen. The characters were poorly developed, and I couldn't connect with any of them. I found myself bored and uninterested, so I ultimately gave up on reading it. It just wasn't a book for me.
3) David - 2 stars - "Summer solstive greetings pagan" was a letdown for me. The writing felt amateurish and the dialogue was often stilted and unrealistic. The plot was predictable and lacked any surprises or depth. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. I won't be recommending it to anyone.