Happy Summer! Did anybody do anything special for the soltice? In WoW, we're having the fire festival where there are all kinds of seasonal quests to do, such as torch tossing and stealing fire from the opposing faction's bonfires.
Although Midsummer Day (June 24) occurs near the summer solstice, or what we think of as the beginning of summer, to the farmer it is the midpoint of the growing season, halfway between planting and harvesting, and an occasion for celebration.
Midsummer Eve bonfires and dancing around the Midsummer pole are old customs still observed around the world today. Certainly, it’s a time of magic and soothsaying as well, for as Washington Irving said, “This is a time when it is well known that all kinds of ghosts, goblins, and fairies become visible and walk abroad.”
After the solstice and Midsummer Day, the days start to shorten.
Summer Solstice (June 20)
The timing of the summer solstice depends on when the Sun reaches its farthest point north of the equator. This occurs annually sometime between June 20 and 22. This year, it occurs exactly at 7:59 P.M. EDT tonight heralding the beginning of summer. The word “solstice” comes from the Latin sol (sun) and stitium (to stop), reflecting the fact that the Sun appears to stop at this time (and again at the winter solstice).
Midsummer Day (June 24)
Midsummer Eve and Midsummer Day are considered sacred to lovers. On Midsummer Eve, pick seven different wildflowers, and then walk home silently and backward. Place the flowers under your pillow and dream of your future husband. In Lithuanian tradition, the dew on Midsummer Day morning was said to make young girls beautiful and old people look younger. It was also thought that walking barefoot in the dew would keep your skin from getting chapped.
Fri Jun 13, 2008 1:28 am
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