Australians generally use . Examples of literary pieces that have incorporated summer include Ann Brasharess The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants; Linda Hulls Insects of Florida, and Denyques song Summer Love, just to mention but a few. Drink-wise, I always make lemonade sweetened with honey, and sun tea made of herbs like chamomile or mint, and I always include lemon balm and stevia (an herb sweeter than sugar!). Its not hard to see the kinds of things that are ideal for incorporating into your summer solstice ritual, activities and feasting. Encyclopdia Britannica, Inc. The Summer Solstice happens around June 21 in the Northern Hemisphere, where the United States is located. Just as the sunflower follows the light, so too are our own spirits inclined to follow the light of the divine. She held him and cried, and her mourning could be heard for miles. Humans may have observed the summer solstice as early as the Stone Age. More information Accept. The solstice may have been a special moment of the annual cycle for some cultures even during Neolithic times. A tall sun candle takes center stage on my altar. June 21 is called the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and simultaneously the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. Find out which of the Gods and Goddesses had festivals or special days of worship near the Summer Solstice. Close enough, MsLizzy. Rockey terrain, poor soil, and a harsh climate meant that much of Ireland and Scotland were not ideal for growing grains and vegetables. Bears, mostly nocturnal are seen more often during the summer months and this is symbolic of coming out of our metaphorical caves, and embracing the summer-lit brilliance of the day. During Vestalia, married women could enter the temple of Vesta and leave offerings to the goddess in exchange for blessings for their families. Just in case, here's an easy reference guide for you to make sure you havent forgotten any of the details! You'll find the Summer Solstice happening in the Southern Hemisphere around December 21. Cultures read more, The vernal equinox takes place on March 20 or March 21 and signals the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Make a fairy stone circle in your yardyou never know! While some believe it to be a vampire dog or a hellhound, the Qiqirn is typically known as a large, evil, spirit dog. Kimberly has a bachelor's degree in marine biology from Texas A&M University, a master's degree in biology from Southeastern Louisiana University and a graduate certificate in science communication from the University of California, Santa Cruz. The Cath Maig Tuired recounts the legends of how the Tuatha De Dannan, the group of beings Brigid belonged to, came to rule over Ireland. She is a former reference editor for Live Science and Space.com. In other countries, the Catholic saint replaced the Germanic goddess the Romans had named Brigantia. Why we celebrate the summer solstice. Fiery solar symbols are scrawled on it and we light it at the sabbats. People around the world celebrate the day, which is also known as the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, with feasts, bonfires, picnics, and traditional songs and dances. Summer comes after spring and before fall. The 21st of June is the summer solstice. The Four Agreements: A Refresher About Making Good Choices in Life, Shamanic Healing and Connecting With Pets, fire element personified (salamander elemental energies). You might wish to sprinkle some solar symbols and colors around the housered throw pillows, yellow curtains, or an orange vase here and there. It is the time in which last preparations are made for the coming cold months. At this time of year insect life is at its most abundant. Meaning and Healing Properties, Do I Need Sapphire? Salamanders are ideal because they are the prime symbol of the southern direction and the Element of Fire. Thanks for stopping by Nell Rose. From Athens to Rio, in the read more, The sultry dog days of summer might spark visions of listless canines baking in the oppressive heat, but the moniker has nothing to do with panting pooches. Just look around you during the summer months and you willsee a bevy of symbolic cuesthat represent the vitality and bounty summer implies. All rights reserved. That's awesome that you celebrated the Solstice at Stonehenge-- must have been amazing! The sun is a warming entity, so itfires our passionsand heats up our hearts to the potential of life that abounds. The summer solstice (also known as Litha) is a time of intensity, renewal, andgreat potential. Of course, you should also make a place for your Patron or Matron God and/or Goddess as well. While many people let the summer solstice pass without note, those of us who pay attention to astronomic events know it's an exciting day. (Be sure to keep any potentially dangerous materials safely away from animals, babies, and children.) In this article, we will discuss how the bear, lion, sunflower, and fire represent the summer solstice while talking about some of this symbolism on their own as well. In the center he made a big, glittery spiral. Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Some of these stories and myths are as follows. As the inspiration for Maman Brigitte, she is the only figure in Haitian Vodou to have an origin entirely outside of Africa. The continued belief in the goddess Brigid, however, resulted in many of her attributes being given to the human figure to refocus worship into an acceptable Christian form. Striking to behold, eclipses often were viewed as supernatural phenomena. Mackenzie Sage Wright (author) on May 20, 2014: Thanks CMHypno, I always get a kick out of it being light out at 9'00 at night for some reason, lol. Winter, the coldest season of the year, comes between autumn and spring. But not all polar species abandon their circadian rhythm. In the Northern Hemisphere it takes place between June 20 and 22, depending on the year. The summer solstice also marked the one-month countdown to the opening of the Olympic games. With warm weather, singing birds, and plants in full bloom, this time of year can't help but instill us with optimism. For instance, foraging at night doesn't save energy or provide protection from predators since it's daylight all the time. Falling between the busy yet joyous planting season and the hectic and somewhat reflective harvest season, the summer solstice is a time to truly let loose and enjoy all the pleasures of life. The Northern Hemisphere receives more daylight than any other day of the year on the summer solstice. This was one of the earliest instruments of the Tuatha De Dannan and, although it was originally a practical tool, it evolved into a source of entertainment. To celebrate this pivotal time of the year, I thought it would be keen to kick up my studies on summer solstice symbols. For those on Eastern Standard Time, the solstice will occur at 4:48 p.m. on December 21. Autumnal equinox (about September 23): day and night of equal length, marking the start of autumn. Summer solstice incense for Litha is easy to make at home. Able to shift direction quickly. Its observance may have helped to predict annual flooding. Bibliography. This is symbolic of the light of our consciousness shining more brightly in our awareness. Just enjoy! xx. Brigids association with fair weather and the holidays of spring and summer were not only tied to her dominion over the sun. Herdsmen would pray to Brigid to keep watch over their animals. Seemingly in contrast to this, she was also referred to as a goddess connected to wells and rivers. Instead, her link to the sun and spring made her a goddess of agriculture. "When the male is active, the female is at the nest and vice versa," Williams said. Wiccan Holidays - Litha. It was thought that bonfires would boost the suns energy for the rest of the growing season and guarantee a good harvest for the fall. Scientific American. (During the winter solstice, the sun does the opposite, and begins moving northward as winter slowly turns to spring.). It is the day with the least amount of daylight hours for the year and for pagans it symbolizes the rebirth of the Sun. In closing, I hope you enjoyed this brief page on summer solstice symbols. In some ways, she seemed to have taken her mothers place as the principal mother of the pantheon. "If you are going to get high through intention and ceremony, stick to that high. The druids, the Celtic priests of ancient Britain, apparently venerated mistletoe during the winter solstice, erecting an altar before the huge oak where the rare bloom appears. It is very easily distinguished from a regular dog as it is completely bald with the exception of its paws, the tip of its tail, and the area around its mouth. Imbolc, in early spring, marked the beginning of the lambing season for shepherds. She inspired smiths and other craftsmen. This did not, however, necessarily meant plant growth as it did in many other cultures. Kronia, a festival celebrating Cronus, the god of agriculture, was also held around this time. Now that I think about it I might have to have him make me another! One of the most famous surviving legends of Ireland shows how the goddess of light influenced rituals of death. See fire symbols here. My work has also been published on Buzzfeed and most recently in Time magazine. Neopagans, Wiccans and New Agers around the world hold summer solstice celebrations. Thanks Ollie; it's a great sabbat-- enjoy it! When the sun enters Cancer, the summer solstice has officially begun. Have fun on the summer solstice! From a protective goddess to a patron saint, Brigid is one of the most enduring and influential figures in Celtic mythology! One of the most famous landmarks in Ireland, Brigids Well in Kildare, still bears her name. Samhain ("summer's end") is celebrated as today's Halloween. Please like and share this article if you found it useful. Bears also remind us of pleasure and taking advantage of the bounty surrounding us this time of year. Both her father, the Dagda, and her son were killed in the fighting. They alternate sleeping and waking hours with their nesting mate throughout the day. The word solstice comes from the Latin words sol (sun) and stitium (still or stopped). According to the astronomical definition of the seasons, the summer solstice also marks the beginning of summer, which lasts until the autumnal equinox (September 22 or 23 in the Northern Hemisphere, or March 20 or 21 in the Southern Hemisphere). It is no surprise that his blind brother, Hodr (winter) slays him with the help of Loki (who is a chaos god) which brings about renewal (Ragnarok). Brigid granted fertility and offered protection to both human women and their babies and the animals they herded. Their agricultural goddess reflected this. Her name distinctly links her to the idea of the dawn. While some have theorized that Stonehenge was the location of prehistoric summer solstice rituals, theres little archaeological evidence that it was used this way. They are associated with celebrations and ceremony to mark the cycle of the sun and the importance of the elements in our lives. This is a high time to celebrate the bounty fueled by life-giving solar rays. In the days leading up to the summer solstice, the ancient Romans celebrated Vestalia, a religious festival in honor of Vesta, goddess of the hearth. Brigid wore a robe of sunlight and had flame red hair, furthering her connection to the sun and its light. The Summer and Winter solstices, when the sun 'stands still', have fired the imagination of cultures around the world. That extended daylight might make it difficult for people in northern latitudes to know when to go to sleep if they aren't looking at a clock, but the midnight sun is no problem for many other animals. Mix and handful each of fresh or dried rose petals and lavender flowers in a non-metallic bowl. Other summer solstice traditions hold that the ashes from a Midsummer bonfire can protect one from misfortune or that the asheswhen spread across ones gardenwill bring a bountiful harvest. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Torc Triath The goddess also owned a powerful boar. The bride of death in Haitian Vodou is directly inspired by St. Brigid and, in turn, by the Celtic goddess. lol! Solar symbols are infinite! If you have statues of your deities, place them prominently upon the altar. With the knowledge of what summer represents, its no surprise that there is an abundance of folklore surrounding summertime. Sunna, depicted with fiery hair and burning wheel. She was the goddess of spring, the dawn, and fertility. Thanks for the hub, I'm excited to celebrate my first summer solecist as a Wiccan-in-training! In the Northern Hemisphere, it takes place between December 20 and 23, depending on the year. True Midday (the time that falls midway between sunrise & sunset), Forest green; Solar colors red, yellow, orange, Solar symbols; fires; woodland creatures; fairies and the wee folk. "They take lots of naps during the day instead of one concentrated bout of sleep. The West is black and it represents the death of summer's cycle. Copying images or content on this website is forbidden unless permission is granted by Avia Whats-Your-Sign.com, This website uses cookies to improve your user experience. 2005-2023. This is a large, yellow pillar candle decorated with orange and red glitter paint. Check out the blanket of greenery and blossoms coating the Mother Earth, the bees and butterflies and animals frolicking and basking in the long, warm days. Emma Lindhagen from Stockholm, Sweden on May 21, 2014: Nice entry, as usual. This will always be my favorite time of the year, I'm so excited! Take a cue from the salamander, get your soul-fires flickering, and let them renew you from the inside out. Animals Animals in the summer period have the peak of their activity. To this day her name and its variants, such as Bree, Bridie, Bridget, and Brigitte, are popular in Ireland and elsewhere. Beltane was equally important for those who kept cattle, since early May was generally when herds would be put out to pasture for the summer. This is a spiritual aphorism. Its also a good time to start making one or to consecrate one. Invoke a Sun God and ask Him to lend you some of His power while its at its height. NY 10036. In other words, today is the day with the most amount of sunlight in the Northern Hemisphere. Liz Elias from Oakley, CA on May 18, 2014: Ahif only there was a spell for instant energy to get up and do anything. No worries, they'll probably be back in spring. The summer season is usually incorporated in literature to symbolize joy, adventure, fullness, selfacceptance, and the search for love. St. Brigids feast day is still on February 1st and it was popular in some areas of Ireland to leave food offerings for her as late as the 18th century. While the prayers still called on the same name for the same reasons, they were now acceptably Christian. While Brigid did not have as many children as many other mother goddess types, she was said to take special care of the young. Registered charity number 207238. LOL, We usually have our big summer BBQ bash in July, around the 4th-though it may have to be later this year, to accommodate some of the guests' schedulesThat's a month too late. Birds Wild geese, wild geese, going out to sea, all fine weather it will be. This event happens when. Like many cultures, the Irish set their poetry to music. The summer solstice, which marks the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, happens Sunday (June 20) at 11:32 p.m. EDT (Monday, June 21 at 03:32 UTC). Give prominence to any tools associated with the season and the Element of Fire. please consider contributing. Summer Solstice is a Summer event introduced in New Leaf. She is a caretaker of wild animals, the patroness of poets, and she is often described as redheaded and wearing a cloak of . Midsummer festivities are especially popular in Northern Europe where bonfires are lit, girls wear flowers in their hair and homes are decorated with garlands and other greenery. I celebrate the Swedish Midsummer with my family every year, although these days that doesn't always fall on the true solstice. Since Cancer is associated with home, family, and maternity, the early summer phase . That realm was more associated with the Morrigan, who was in many ways her opposite. Midsummer was a crucial time of year for the Vikings, who would meet to discuss legal matters and resolve disputes around the summer solstice. Neolithic humans may initially have started to observe the summer solstice as a marker to figure out when to plant and harvest crops. One of the more unlikely places that Brigid is venerated is in Haiti. The summer solsticealso called midsummermarks the moment when the North Pole is angled more toward the sun than on any other day of the year, resulting in the longest period of sunlight of . Australia has summer around Christmas. Litha symbolizes a grand portal of energy, space, and opportunity - a chance to let go of fears, doubts, and insecurities. Many herbs are associated with the Summer Solstice. I like to make seasonal food and drink part of our sabbat celebrations and place them right upon the altarafter all, the Wheel of the Year is based on the agricultural cycle. Its time to raid some history and mythology books. Copyright Symbol Sage 2022 All Rights Reserved. Other animals associated with summer and with fire are also important symbols of this holiday.Lions, Dragons, and Salamanders are associated with Summer Solstice because of their link to the fire element. She represented new life, fair weather, and growth. It is a great time to get to know moths, dragonflies, crickets, grasshoppers, beetles and all our other amazing minibeasts! Baldr is clearly associated with the midsummer sun the sun at solstice. Mythical creatures like the chimera, dragon and phoenix are also appropriate. In ancient China, the summer solstice was associated with yin, the feminine force. You might also want tocheckout the fire element personified (salamander elemental energies). Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on May 19, 2014: You are have successfully put me in the mood to celebrate summer. Baron Samedis wife is Maman Brigitte. If you like this site, Expanding perceptions. Then for the first time weeping and shrieking were heard in Ireland. 2023 A&E Television Networks, LLC. I also enjoy sitting out to watch the sunsets. Hi Emma, thanks for commenting. The Irish saw Brigid as a protector of domesticated animals more than as a goddess of grains or vegetables. Mackenzie Sage Wright (author) on May 19, 2014: I will send you some from my neck of the woods Billy; Keep an eye out for it. The Greeks strict social code was temporarily turned on its head during Kronia, with slaves participating in the merriment as equals or even being served by their masters. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. Midsummer or the Summer Solstice is the most . The solstice days are the days with the most (for Summer) or fewest (for Winter) hours of sunlight during the whole year. Brigid protected both human children and the animals she was associated with. This is when we have the longest day with the sun rising earliest and setting latest. By the middle of the 20th century, the effects of these changes read more. "The calendar was very importantmuch more important than it is. Summer is certainly a time for a celebration of some sort. Readmore about symbolic sunflower meanings here. They also had a good deal to do with farming, fertility, and the cycles of the Earth. Animals: butterflies, robins, horses, fireflies Plants: fennel, oak trees, mugwort, St John's wort Spells: Litha is one of the best times for protection or love magic 7 Ways to Celebrate Litha 1. 7. Technically, there are three temple units in Mnajdra, set . Unlike winter, which signals the end, autumn, which harks the beginning of the end, and spring, which symbolizes the start of a new beginning, summer represents life and endless opportunities that await. Festivities celebrated Earth, femininity, and the yin force. It marks the first day of fall in the Northern Hemisphere. The loa, or spirits, invoked in Vodou are based on African gods but incorporate much of the symbolism and lore of the saints. This is when we have the longest day with the sun rising earliest and setting latest. Start with a rich, green altar cloth or perhaps a fiery orange-yellow altar cloth. The many forms Brigid takes in Irish legends have led some to identify her as a possible triple goddess. Animalsincluding llamaswere sacrificed during the ceremony, and the Incas used a mirror to focus the sun's rays and kindle a fire. Dancing. At Summer Solstice, all of nature surrenders to the fire of light. If not, use candles of bold summer colors. Midsummer folk dancers in traditional costumes. This put him on the side of the Fomorians and pitted him against his mothers people. That's my favorite way to celebrate. The sun symbol is found in all cultures throughout history. Eagles: These magnificent birds are commonly linked with solar power by many ancient people. The animal linked with this month is the white stag. Although Maman Brigitte is a loa of the dead, she is still viewed as a protective, maternalistic spirit. (The read more, Freedom Summer, or the Mississippi Summer Project, was a 1964 voter registration drive aimed at increasing the number of registered Black voters in Mississippi. The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. Many historians believe that it served as the start of the new year in the Celtic calendartheir "New Year's Day." It was the day when the cattle were brought in from pasture; those needed for the winter's supply of meat would be slaughtered.