The Summer Solstice.

As I sit at my desk, back at home from an intense second year at BIMM, with the sun shining through my window, I find myself in a contradictory sate of anxiety and calm. Now that the pressure is off from university I feel I have nothing in the immediate few weeks to focus on, with my busy mind always racing through thoughts this brings a sense of anxiety. On the other hand I can sit and enjoy the sun at my own pleasure and do what I want to do for a few weeks. However, I feel my creativity levels slowly replenishing at this point and I am eager to start my third year project over the summer (as advised by a third year) that I hope to share with you all soon!

On this day though, it is the Summer Solstice, or as our Celtic pagan ancestors in the British Isles preferred to call it Litha or Midsummer (Midsumarblot in Austrau [Norse] or Almost St. John's Day for the Christians among us), the longest day of the year. I have not been to a winter or summer solstice personally and unfortunately I am unable to take part in the celebrations at Stonehenge today, so I'm sat here in the glorious sunshine writing this for you. It is definitely on the 'Things I want to experience list'! As you know I love my ancient and mystic history and it brings me great joy to see the "Old Ways" making a return so I can learn more about them and see how ceremonies were conducted (minus the animal and human sacrifice, which is probably a positive in this day and age).

Before we begin, some definitions from the Oxford Living Dictionaries to avoid confusion;

Pagan;

A person holding religious beliefs other than those of the main world religions (Christianity, Judaism, Islam, etc.).

Wicca (Wiccan);

A form of modern paganism, especially a tradition founded in England in the mid 20th century and claiming its origins in pre-Christian religions.

The word solstice derives from the latin solstitium, which translates as 'sun stands still' as the sun is at it's zenith for the year and appears to not move. Despite this, the holiday can mean many different things to different demonisations of pagans and wiccans. Depending on your spiritual path will depend on the sort of celebrations and rituals you will participate in. The celebrations at stonehenge relate to a solar alignment but in some places it is celebrated with a bonfire ritual. This day was especially important in Scandinavia after the bleak winters the sunlight in June was a welcome sight.

The pagan Celtic legend surrounding both solstice's is the Oak King vs. the Holly King. The legend tells of the constant battling between the two kings to gain dominance over the Wheel Of The Year. As a result during the Yule festival (winter solstice) the Holly King triumphs and rules until Litha (midsummer/summer solstice) where the Oak King triumphs and the whole process is repeated. Today though the Oak King has triumphed once again! The wiccan belief system still incorporates these two kings as two aspects of the Horned God, where each battles for the favour of the Goddess. No matter which way you decide to look at it one cannot exist without the other.

Sun worship is also significant in general in pagan and wiccan communities and it is not uncommon to find deities related to the sun (and the moon but that is a different conversation). Stone circles, pyramids and megaliths can all be associated with astrological worship. No matter which pantheon you follow there will always be variant of a sun god, Ra in ancient Egypt is Sol in Scandinavia or Belenus in the British Isles. Either way there will always be a sun deity presiding over your life, shining brightly on your future.

I believe that it is vital in this day and age that we tear ourselves away from our screens and get outside to keep these ancient spiritual traditions alive. To observe and to participate is to be a part of something mystical and spiritual. Knowing that our ancestors celebrated these festivals and live their lives by them is truly fascinating to me. With bonfires, feasting and ancient stones pagan and wiccan festivals are a sanctuary for those wayward souls in the eyes of the modern society to be welcomed in and to have a great time. So, I wish all my pagan and wiccan friends a very happy Litha and may you enjoy the sunrise and sunset today!

Further Information & Sources;

Pagan Definition https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/pagan

Wicca Definition https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/Wicca

Litha: The Pagan Summer Solstice https://www.thoughtco.com/guide-to-celebrating-litha-2562231

Celebrating The Pagan Summer Solstice https://thepaganandthepen.wordpress.com/2010/06/20/celebrating-the-pagan-summer-solstice/

Litha - Summer Solstice http://www.thewhitegoddess.co.uk/the_wheel_of_the_year/litha_-_summer_solstice.asp

The Oak King & The Holly King https://salemsmoon.wordpress.com/gods/the-horned-god-oak-king-holly-king-and-green-man/

I do not own the rights to the pictures, all rights are reserved for their respective owners.