Summer Solstice

It’s officially Midsummer and we are down to celebrate the Solstice! 

According to Pagan folklore, The Summer Solstice also referred to as Litha, is the battle of light and dark. The battle is between the Oak King, who represents the light and the Holly King, the dark. Legend states that at Litha the Holly King wins bringing the darkness earlier. The same happens at the Winter Solstice, otherwise known as Yule, but this time the Oak King wins and brings forward the light. 

As wonderful as this story is, from a scientific background the solstice is actually the extreme points on the Earths’ axis. The word “solstice” comes from the Latin ‘solstitium’ from ‘sol’ (sun) and ‘stitium’ (still or stopped).  Equinox comes from aequinoctium, from aequus (equal) and nox (night). This is what gives us the seasons based on the Earth’s orbit and creates the longest and shortest days.

A lot of cultures celebrate the Solstice in some way from ancient Mesopotamia to the Native American Hopi tribes whose celebrations last for 16 days!

 Some different ways to celebrate include:

• Having a bonfire

• Connecting with nature 

• Use this mid-point in the year for self-reflection.