The Ancients and the Summer Solstice
The Ancients and the Summer Solstice
The ancients and the summer solstice were very much intimately connected.
The ancients and the summer solstice were very much intimately connected. The summer solstice is one of the eight sabbats, a celestial event in the Northern Hemisphere around June 20 and June 22. The term, “the longest day” means the longest period of daylight. The Summer Solstice is also known as, Litha or MidSummer, marking the beginning of summer. In the Southern Hemisphere, around June 20 or 21; is the shortest day of the year, and the summer solstice arrives around December 22.
The ancients noticed on the summer solstice the Sun’s path stops heading North and stands still before reversing its direction South. Earth is closest to the Sun and is a bi-annual event. The second event is the Winter Solstice. The summer solstice happens when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer. (the Tropic of Cancer has 5 of the 12 Vortices). The Earth’s axis has shifted, and now, the sun appears in the constellation of Taurus. The Northern Hemisphere receives infrared high-intensity energy from the sun due to the angle of sunlight and the length of the day.
Many ancient cultures and religions have special rituals and events to recognize the summer solstice.
Ancient Cultures, Rituals and Folklore
Many ancient cultures and religions have special rituals and folklore recognizing the summer solstice. Some celebrated St. John’s Day to commemorate the birth of John the Baptist. In Ancient Greece, the summer solstice marked the start of the New Year and a month countdown to the Olympic games. Some Greeks observed the festival of Kronia, a feast dedicated to the god Kronos (also spelled, Cronus), the god of time.
The ancient Romans celebrated Vestalia, in honor of Vesta, goddess of the hearth. The Vikings used this time to discuss legal matters. In Ancient Egypt, the summer solstice corresponded with the rise of the Nile River bringing with it highly fertile silt and helping to predict flooding. The Druids considered the summer solstice a lucky marriage time and weddings were popular around the summer solstice.
According to pagan folklore, evil spirits appear on the summer solstice. To keep them away, wear protective flowers, some women wear flowers on their heads. Bonfires protect from misfortune and the ashes will bring fortune. For others, bonfires boost the sun’s energy for a bountiful harvest.
Ancient Alignments
At the Sphinx, the sun sets between the Great Pyramids of Khufu and Khafre on Egypt’s Giza plateau on the summer solstice. Stonehenge is aligned with the direction of the sunrise on the summer solstice.
Juneau, Alaska will have almost a full day of sunlight & the most sunlight of all states at 18 hours.
