What are you doing this Summer solstice?

[mugwump]

This week we experience a solstice, midsummer night... the

longest day of the year, ushering in the beginning of

summer. If the weather holds, some pagan rituals may be in

order.

What are your plans for the longest

day of the year...

*********************************

Solstice [Fr. from L. solstitium; sol, the sun, and sto, to stand;] The time of year when the sun is at its greatest distance from

the celestial equator. - Funk and Wagnalls Dictionary. The summer solstice occurs on June 21st. It is a time distinctive on an

astrological level and also a time of year celebrated by ancient civilizations with their unique traditions to mark the summer

season.

Nearly every religion of the world shows traces of astrological influence. The old Testament of the Jews, its writings by Egyptian

culture, is a mass of astrological and astronomical allegories. Nearly all the mythology of Greece and Rome may be traced in

star groups. The ancient systems of measuring the year were based upon the equinoxes and solstices.

The summer solstice was celebrated when the sun reached its most northerly position. It is regarded as

occurring in Cancer (the Crab). It is evident that the constellation of the Crab is represented by this

particular creature because the sun, after passing through this house, precedes to work backwards, or

descend the zodiacal arc.

As for the history of the summer solstice, for centuries people in Europe celebrated springtime by

lighting fires. These might have been fires kindled at hillsides to drive away witches and to help the sun

with its task of warming the earth. On May Day the Celts, who had lived in Scotland and Ireland since

ancient times, would make a fire out of gorse to burn out the witches. This was part of the Celtic fire

festival called Beltane. Beltane means "Bright Fire." When the Celts decided to celebrate the solstice

they simply extended their fire rituals to Midsummer Eve. In Sweden a Midsummer Tree was set up and

decorated. The villagers danced around it, lit fires and jumped over them. On Midsummer Day it was

also the custom for women and girls to bathe in a river. Long ago this bathing was considered magic

for bringing the life-giving rain. In a river the water is always moving, always renewed.

The sun, as supreme among the celestial bodies visible to the astronomers of antiquity, was assigned to the highest of the gods

and became symbolic of the supreme authority of the Creator Himself.

The Natchez Indians in the southern part of the U.S. worshipped the sun and believed their ruler was descended from him.

Every summer they held a first fruits ceremony. No one was allowed to touch the ripe ears of corn in his own field until the

ceremony was finished. The Hopi Indians of Arizona would have masked men wearing bright paint and feathers who danced

their special rituals. They represented the dancing spirits of rain and fertility called Kachinas. The Kachinas were messengers

between man and the gods. At Midsummer the Kachinas leave the Hopi villages to return to their homes in the mountains.

While they are there, for half the year, they are believed to visit the dead underground and hold ceremonies for them. The

Catholic Church chose Midsummer for celebrating the birth of Saint John the Baptist and called it Saint John's Day. John was the

forerunner of Jesus and baptized Him in the river Jordan. Jesus had once called him, "A burning and shining light." The Church

told people that Midsummer fires should represent St. John instead of the sun, however the rites and their meaning for the

people changed very little until recent times.

[Crackorn]

I'll be thinking of you, mugz

[gogoamy]

Originally posted by Crackorn

I'll be thinking of you, mugz

Me too!

Seriously though, what day is it?

[highmay]

Originally posted by gogoamy

Me too!

Seriously though, what day is it?

usually the 21st or 22nd

[mugwump]

Friiiidayyyyy &

Saaaturrrdaaaayyyy!

Who's doing what on those days?

I think I might be hitting up Centro on Friday

and Mermaid parade Saturday..

How bout You?

Anyone a pagan?

[joeg]

Shelter on friday:

Trace

John B

Pish Posh

Reid Speed

Bailey

more...

maybe DD on sat... @ vinyl.

[dr0ne]

Originally posted by mugwump

This week we experience a solstice, midsummer night... the

longest day of the year, ushering in the beginning of

summer. If the weather holds, some pagan rituals may be in

order.

What are your plans for the longest

day of the year...

*********************************

Solstice [Fr. from L. solstitium; sol, the sun, and sto, to stand;] The time of year when the sun is at its greatest distance from

the celestial equator. - Funk and Wagnalls Dictionary. The summer solstice occurs on June 21st. It is a time distinctive on an

astrological level and also a time of year celebrated by ancient civilizations with their unique traditions to mark the summer

season.

Nearly every religion of the world shows traces of astrological influence. The old Testament of the Jews, its writings by Egyptian

culture, is a mass of astrological and astronomical allegories. Nearly all the mythology of Greece and Rome may be traced in

star groups. The ancient systems of measuring the year were based upon the equinoxes and solstices.

The summer solstice was celebrated when the sun reached its most northerly position. It is regarded as

occurring in Cancer (the Crab). It is evident that the constellation of the Crab is represented by this

particular creature because the sun, after passing through this house, precedes to work backwards, or

descend the zodiacal arc.

As for the history of the summer solstice, for centuries people in Europe celebrated springtime by

lighting fires. These might have been fires kindled at hillsides to drive away witches and to help the sun

with its task of warming the earth. On May Day the Celts, who had lived in Scotland and Ireland since

ancient times, would make a fire out of gorse to burn out the witches. This was part of the Celtic fire

festival called Beltane. Beltane means "Bright Fire." When the Celts decided to celebrate the solstice

they simply extended their fire rituals to Midsummer Eve. In Sweden a Midsummer Tree was set up and

decorated. The villagers danced around it, lit fires and jumped over them. On Midsummer Day it was

also the custom for women and girls to bathe in a river. Long ago this bathing was considered magic

for bringing the life-giving rain. In a river the water is always moving, always renewed.

The sun, as supreme among the celestial bodies visible to the astronomers of antiquity, was assigned to the highest of the gods

and became symbolic of the supreme authority of the Creator Himself.

The Natchez Indians in the southern part of the U.S. worshipped the sun and believed their ruler was descended from him.

Every summer they held a first fruits ceremony. No one was allowed to touch the ripe ears of corn in his own field until the

ceremony was finished. The Hopi Indians of Arizona would have masked men wearing bright paint and feathers who danced

their special rituals. They represented the dancing spirits of rain and fertility called Kachinas. The Kachinas were messengers

between man and the gods. At Midsummer the Kachinas leave the Hopi villages to return to their homes in the mountains.

While they are there, for half the year, they are believed to visit the dead underground and hold ceremonies for them. The

Catholic Church chose Midsummer for celebrating the birth of Saint John the Baptist and called it Saint John's Day. John was the

forerunner of Jesus and baptized Him in the river Jordan. Jesus had once called him, "A burning and shining light." The Church

told people that Midsummer fires should represent St. John instead of the sun, however the rites and their meaning for the

people changed very little until recent times.

shut tf up.

[dr0ne]

Originally posted by joeg

Shelter on friday:

Trace

John B

Pish Posh

Reid Speed

Bailey

more...

maybe DD on sat... @ vinyl.

dost thou shite me?

[wideskies]

i'll be burning a candle and thinking things over.

[joeg]

Originally posted by dr0ne

dost thou shite me?

nope, theres actually more to that lineup... but I can't find the flyer... maybe goldie? or maybe thats another night...

damnit, where did that flyer go...