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The longest day of the year is approaching, offering an opportunity to connect with ancient traditions that have captivated cultures for millennia. The celestial event is more than an astronomical wonder in the Northern Hemisphere — it is a chance to embrace time-honored rituals that promise healing, mysticism, and profound connection to the natural world.
The summer solstice will take place this Friday, June 20, at 10:42 pm Eastern Daylight Time, according to the Almanac. This is the official start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere and marks the moment when the sun is seen at its highest and northernmost point in the sky. It is also the longest day and shortest night of the calendar year.
The word solstice derives from the Latin word sol, meaning “sun,” and sistere, meaning “to stand still.” During this astronomical event, the sun appears to pause in its northward journey before reversing course. Rather than following a fixed calendar date, the solstice timing shifts annually between June 20, 21, and 22, depending on when the sun reaches its northernmost point from the celestial equator. Learn how others in the Northern Hemisphere mark this date to embrace this day and celebrate in your own style.
Ancient Celebrations Across Cultures
In Sweden, communities gather for Midsommar, an official holiday featuring the traditional Sma Grodorna dance around flower-decorated maypoles, according to Smithsonian magazine. Revelers dress in regional costumes and participate in family games. They dine on pickled herring, boiled potatoes with dill, and sweet strawberries with cream.
The Swedish traditions also embrace mystical properties. People walk barefoot in the dew believing it will boost their health, while young women collect seven specific flower types to place under their pillow, hoping to dream of their future husband.
At Stonehenge in southern England, people from all over the world come to witness the sun rise behind the ancient Heel Stone, which creates a spectacular alignment. On the solstice, people stay up all night long to observe the sun. If you cannot make it to Stonehenge in person, you can watch the celebration on the English Heritage YouTube channel from the comfort of your home.
Iceland's Jónsmessa celebration, which translates to “midsummer night,” centers on positivity and goodness. Folklore says that during this magical time, cows can speak and elves may interact with humans. Some Icelanders like to roll naked in morning dew for its health benefits, while others embark on an overnight hike under a bright midnight sun.
Creating Your Own Solstice Experience
For those celebrating at home, Homes and Gardens suggests a few rituals that incorporate spirituality and light on this day. Gather flowers, leaves, and twigs during a sunrise walk, then create a mandala to represent the circle of life. Your mandala can begin with a center point and build outward symmetrically. This could include rings of flowers enclosed by zigzag twig patterns, and surrounded with pine cones.
Another uplifting way to connect with nature is to gather healing herbs, especially those associated with Celtic traditions. These include mugwort, yarrow, St. John’s Wort, chamomile, thyme, fern, and vervain.
Or, honor the sun with a bonfire in a backyard fire pit to connect with the ancient tradition of lighting fires on hilltops. You could also burn sacred Palo Santo sticks and herbs to enhance that solstice magic, and save the ashes for garden fertilizer.
As the day delivers maximum sunlight hours, this June 20 is also an ideal time to plant late summer flowers that will thrive into early fall. Celebrate the occasion by planting sunflowers and roses.
There are many creative ways to connect to the magic and folklore surrounding this extraordinary day. Test these ancient beliefs with a fun and childlike curiosity. Perhaps cows will speak or a shy elf will emerge in the garden! So roll in the dew, create flower mandalas, and embrace a mystical energy that has captivated cultures for thousands of years.
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