The Sun of Midsummer

The Midummer Solstice -

Here the time has come for the Midsummer solstice, a much celebrated period of time, during the longest day of the year. It's very scientific and astronomical. Many people celebrate it, particularly us pagans who worship the earth and the sky. It's a time for making rites and honour the life force of the sun, the powerful goddess of the sky. The sky mother. Sunna, as I call Her.

So what really is the Summer Solstice? Without going into details about myths and legends, I could point out that the sun itself has a position or we on the planet are positioned, around facing the sun full on. It's regarded as being the arc of the sun positioned around us, like a glowing ribbon. For some information on this, and to see graphics, visit the sites here:
Solstice
Summer Solstice

Midsummer's Eve is a much recognised holiday in parts of Europe. William Shakespeare wrote the famous play "A Midsummer Night's Dream" about the marriage of a man and woman, with lovers and fairies around the main figures. In "Lord of the Rings" the hero weds the elf princess on Midsummer. It's considered the time of the Oak King, the light one, in Celtic lore. Feast of Epona, the horse goddess, and the celebration of Vesta, goddess of fire, with many other fire festivals across Europe. The Scandinavians once used trees to decourate and dance around for fertility rites during the Summer Solstice. Not forgetting the most famous symbols of the solstices: the megaliths! Stonehenge always attracts visitors during the solstice.   

For some information: The Summer Solstice holiday 2011

Picture is "Midsummer Eve" by Edward Hughes