Summer Solstice 2011

The Summer Solstice falls on June 21st this year. Solstice comes from the Latin Sol (sun) stice (to stand still), as the days get longer and longer, the sun rises until it appears to stand still in the sky. The Summer Solstice (also called Midsummer or Litha) is the longest day and shortest night of the year.

Significance of the Summer Solstice:

In pre-historic times, summer was a joyous time of the year for those Aboriginal people who lived in the northern latitudes. The snow had disappeared; the ground had thawed out; warm temperatures had returned; flowers were blooming; leaves had returned to the deciduous trees. Some herbs could be harvested, for medicinal and other uses. Food was easier to find. The crops had already been planted and would be harvested in the months to come. Although many months of warm/hot weather remained before the fall, they noticed that the days were beginning to shorten, so that the return of the cold season was inevitable.

The first (or only) full moon in June is called the Honey Moon. Tradition holds that this is the best time to harvest honey from the hives.

This time of year, between the planting and harvesting of the crops, was the traditional month for weddings. This is because many ancient peoples believed that the "grand [sexual] union" of the Goddess and God occurred in early May at Beltaine. Since it was unlucky to compete with the deities, many couples delayed their weddings until June. (Or, many couples realized in June that their "fun" in May has now turned into a baby). June remains a favorite month for marriage today. In some traditions, newly wed couples were fed dishes and beverages that featured honey for the first month of their married life to encourage love and fertility. The surviving vestige of this tradition lives on in the name given to the holiday immediately after the ceremony: The Honeymoon.

So, what to do for the solstice with a 4 year old...
I'm thinking lighting the summer bonfires is out of the question; even if we did have the space set up for it...we live in Arizona...we definitily have enough heat here. We are going to make paper sunflowers for our alter, and possibly a little ritual he can help me with (which must of course include lots of running around with arms raised - anything to wear that boy out!). And for me...the knowledge that fall is on its way with cooler wheather...I can't wait...it's my favorite season of all :-)

Wiccan Blessing for Summer

As the sun spirals its longest dance,

Cleanse us
As nature shows bounty and fertility
Bless us
Let all things live with loving intent
And to fulfill their truest destiny.