What is the Summer Solstice
About The Summer SolsticeWelcome and bright blessings on this Summer Solstice sabbat!
Today, the Sun is at the zenith of its moncler jackets mens journey through the cycle of the year, and the Sun Lord is at moncler outlet usa the height of His power. In the longest of days, all living things bask in moncler jackets canada the warmth of the Sun’s energy as it streams His blessings down upon the Earth.
Look around you the trees and plants are full and moncler coats for kids verdant, the fruit hangs heavy and low on the discount moncler outlet vines. Butterflies and bees dance from bud to bud. Nature is in all moncler jackets toronto its splendor and Mother Earth is draped in her finest gown.
moncler outlet store The night will be moncler jackets men brief, but rumor has it that this is one of the most magical nights of moncler outlet the year. In fact, legend holds that on this night the veil between our world and the world of the wee folk is at its thinnest so don’t be surprised if you catch glimpse of a fairy frolicking in the woods!
moncler sale outlet In Moncler Factory Outlet the meantime, relax with us. Pour a cool glass of lemon balm tea and grab some of those ripe, red cherries if you like they’re as sweet and juicy as they come! Let’s revel in the season and explore this Pagan sabbat together.
St. John’s Day/Feast of St. John (Christian); Kronia (Greek venerating Kronos regional celebrations); Vestalia (Roman feast honoring Vesta, Hearth Goddess); Chinese celebrations honored the Yin force (femininity, the Earth); Some Native Americans moncler outlet online participated in moncler coats for cheap ceremonies, such moncler outlet online store as the Sun dance;
The eve before and the day of the Summer Solstice, which is circa June 21st every year in the Northern Hemisphere, and circa December 21st in the Southern Hemisphere.
moncler outlet This Year’s Northern Hemisphere Date:
cheap Discount Moncler Coats moncler Sunday, June 21, 2015 at 16:39 UTC
cheap moncler coats History of the Summer SolsticeCelebrations of the height of summer were fairly popular in many different countries in ancient times particularly those laying further north (or further south if you were in the Southern Hemisphere). For those cultures moncler outlets uk in climates with harsh winters, this was most definitely a time to revel in the good weather while you had the chance. There’s not a cheap moncler lot of evidence that the Summer Solstice or Midsummer was specifically seen as a religious holiday among them, though.
cheap moncler sale You know how in most Western nations we take it easy in the summer? Children are off from school, it’s a season of games (baseball, water sports, etc.), and it’s when families plan picnics and vacations. Historically, this time of year was a time to really relax and enjoy those lazy, hazy days of summer.
cheap moncler jackets This wasn’t that different for our ancient ancestors particularly those who lived in colder climates. In wintertime, you’re too concerned with survival to enjoy yourself as much. You’re shut in, and moncler outlet store nature is shut in its icy prison. In the springtime, you’re relieved but you’re busy with livestock and planting; in the fall, you’re busy with harvesting and winter preparations. The summer offers a lull in activity, and people’s workloads were lightened. The days were longer so you had more time to go enjoy yourself after you got your chores done. It was a good time to travel because you had more light, the nights were mild and nature was flourishing so moncler coats sale you could pluck food right off a bush or out of the ground.
monlcer down jackets History of Litha moncler jackets outlet online as a HolidayWe get the name “Litha” from the moncler outlet ny Anglo moncler outlet location UK Moncler black friday Saxon month in which the Summer Solstice fell. For many Northern Pagans it was a time to recognize that it was the turning point that marked the Sun’s decline. From Midsummer on, the days would grow gradually shorter and colder and the year would turn back to the winter season. Bonfires were lit and people kept vigil through the night.
Rituals and offerings were made in some cultures to show gratitude for the warm season, and also in hopes that it would appease the Gods so they would get a mild winter in return. Some reports say Vikings would load up small boats with offerings, set them afloat in the direction of the setting sun, and then light them on fire as a sacrifice. Some ancient Christian moncler coats for women historians note giant wicker men being burned in the fields. Some historians believe Midsummer was associated with the sacrificial Gods who would die and be reborn at the Winter Solstice.
buy moncler jackets Many people mistakenly believe that the Druids and Celts celebrated at Stonehenge, but this is highly unlikely (Stonehenge was more likely for Winter Solstice celebrations). cheap moncler jackets outlet Exactly what they may have done at this time of year is buy moncler jackets toronto unknown, however by the time Christian missionaries got there, they noted various customs and celebrations, most notably bonfires.
cheap moncler outlet With the rise of Christianity, the season became associated with John the Baptist, and celebrations turned from Pagan Gods to Christian saints, but some Summer Solstice customs are believed to have been handed down to us from Pagan times. Considering the Solstice is an astrological event, the seasonal celebrations were not easily forgotten and they were adapted. Old folk festivals usually involve fun and games, feats of strength and feasting. Summer country fairs and beach parties are modern remnants of these ancient traditions that we’ve inherited.
Litha or Midsummer moncler chicago in WiccaOriginally in traditional Wicca, there were only four sabbats, what we now refer to as the “major moncler jackets kids sabbats.” These were February Eve (now most commonly called Imbolc), May Eve (Beltane), August Eve (Lughnasadh) and November Eve (Samhain). It was in the 1950s that Gardnarians adopted the solstices and the equinoxes into the Wheel of the Year moncler jacket outlet model, and they are considered the “minor sabbats”.
In context of the Wheel of the Official Moncler Outlet Year mythology, Litha is when the Sun Lord is at his strongest point. He and the Goddess held their sacred union at Beltane in May, and now his seed grows in her womb. His strength lends power and energy to moncler outlet canada the earth and all its inhabitants, but in celebrating the height of his power we also recognize that it’s the beginning of his decline.
moncler outlet sale Some traditions embrace the https://www.thebeastmark.com mythology of the Oak King and the Holly King, the brothers who meet twice per year at the solstices to battle over who will rule for that half of the year. The oak King has ruled since the Winter Solstice. At Midsummer, it is the Holly King who reigns victorious and he rules until the Winter Solstice.
moncler outlet online Litha is the moncler outlet woodbury season of the year that we celebrate nature, leisure, and the sheer joy of being alive.
Celebrating Litha, the Summer SolsticeYou don’t need much decoration for this particular holiday to get you in the mood just go outdoors. Nature in all its glory and that’s enough to bring you into the spirit of the season. You might want to put out a moncler outlet mall bowl of fresh fruits or a bouquet of colorful moncler jackets on sale blooms on the altar. We like to hang sun symbols around ours. We have a big yellow orange altar cloth that reminds of the fiery sun and we use plenty of yellow, gold and red candles.
This is a great time to plan a daytime, outdoor celebration. Go to a big park or nature preserve, or hit the beach. Set out a picnic moncler coats or fire up the barbecue. Spend some time on a nature walk or basking in the sun in your garden. If you can get away, go on a camping trip spend the day hiking, fishing, swimming, playing games, and spend the evening around the campfire telling stories, dancing, drumming and singing songs.
The season is associated with the Elements Fire and Water. Customs are found around the world that involves the clash of these Elements at Midsummer celebrations, many of which we’re not quite sure where or when they originated. I’ve mentioned moncler jackets for women the Viking burning boats, other such customs include rolling burning hoops downhill into a lake and setting candles small boats afloat on the water. You might want to create your own version moncler jackets cheap of some of these traditions. If little ones are along, let them burn sparklers, and have them plunge the spark into a bucket of water just before it sputters and goes out this can be a fun little symbolic rite.
moncler sale The fairy folk are supposed to be afoot, and I always like to do something for them. It’s a great time to build a fairy house with the kids and set it out for them in some private little spot in the garden. You might want to hunt for fairy stones circles in natural areas near your home (but be careful not to step into them! Lest the fairies steal you away!) or set out a basket of offerings for cheap moncler jackets wholesale them at sunset some ripe fruit, some shiny coins (use the pretty plastic gold ones at party stores) and they just might grant you a boon.
If you have to spend Litha indoors, celebrate by watching or reading a version of Midsummer Night’s Dream, or any movies about moncler coats outlet fairies and nature. Make yourself a lovely fruit salad and some sweet iced tea or lemonade. Say a prayer at your altar in praise of your Gods, and light a big pillar candle at sunset and let it be your spark of the sun to help you keep vigil on this magical womens moncler jackets night.
Don’t forget to plan cheap moncler jackets a work of magic for this night Because the Summer Solstice is the shortest night of the year and the longest day, it’s a widespread belief among NeoPagans and various magic practicing folks that it’s one of the most powerful days of the moncler coats cheap year
Carolyn Emerick 3 years ago
moncler mens jackets Loved this article! You did a great job of including the history of the holiday and including many different cultures. What a coincidence, I moncler outlet kids just used the same image of the Romanian festival dancers on a “Wee Folk” page I run on FB! The Romanian festival is S and apparently it is held in honor of fairies.