It's June 21st and time to celebrate the Summer Solstice or Midsummer

Summer Solstice is an important day, not only for the fact it denotes the first day of summer, but also for the place it holds in the world of folklore and legend. Always ready to explore any type of folklore or unique traditions, Believe It Tour decided to look into the history behind this interesting and ancient celebration.

From a purely scientific standpoint the solstice represents an event that happens twice a year when the axial tilt of the Earth is closest to the sun. The result of this increased angle is that, in the Northern Hemisphere, this is the longest day of the year.

While significant in the world of science, the solstice plays an even more important role in the world of folklore. As the Summer Solstice falls in the middle of the year it’s also known as Midsummer in many cultures.

From ancient times people have been known to mark the passage of the solstice through various rituals and ceremonies. In ancient Egypt the day was marked with celebrations to Ra and Horus to ensure fertility and agriculture abundance while in ancient Rome there was a ceremony that took place during the “Grove of Diana” festival. The Summer Solstice was celebrated by the druids with sacred ceremonies around Stonehenge and pagans had huge bonfires with music, dancing, and food. Years later the holiday was converted into the feast of “St. John the Baptist” to be in better alignment with the ideals of Christianity. The Summer Solstice is a day that’s still celebrated in many countries and cultures throughout the world.

In herbology, the Summer Solstice played a key role in the traditions and folklore behind different plants. During celebrations on Midsummer, St. John’s Wort, Chamomile, Geranium, Thyme, Penny Royal were burned as these were believed to banish bad luck and negative energy. Then to ensure good luck and prosperity for the next year, wreaths were made of Rue, Roses, St. John’s Wort, Vervain, and Trefoil and hung in the house.

The solstice has even played a role in classical literature with Shakespeare’s most whimsical and beloved comedy, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Although the day was first recorded in oral folklore tales long before Shakespeare’s time. The tales ranged from fairies bestowing good luck on humans during the solstice to children placing food in the garden as a gift to the fairies and then gifts being left in place of the food. Some say this last tale was a precursor to the legend of Santa Claus.

Summer Solstice is an ancient day of celebration and one that holds an important role in the folklore and mythology of many different cultures. It may simply be the longest day of the year to many people, but to others it’s a day of celebration and abundance.