The Summer Solstice or midsummer, occurs when one of the Earth's poles has its maximum tilt towards the Sun, It happens twice a year, once in each of the hemispheres. The Summer Solstice is the day which has the longest period of daylight and also the shortest night of the year as the sun is in its highest position in the sky. This is usually between June 20th and June 22nd depending on the year.
Different cultures and religious traditions have different names for the summer solstice. In Northern Europe, it’s often referred to as Midsummer. Wiccans and other Neopagan groups call it Litha, while some Christian churches recognize the summer solstice as St. John’s Day to commemorate the birth of John the Baptist.
Before Christianity, ancient Northern and Central European pagans (including Germanic, Celtic and Slavic groups) welcomed Midsummer with bonfires. It was thought that bonfires would boost the sun’s energy for the rest of the growing season and guarantee a good harvest for the fall.
Many cultures still celebrate the summer solstice. Midsummer festivities are especially popular in Northern Europe where bonfires are lit, girls wear flowers in their hair and homes are decorated with garlands and other greenery.
The stones at Stonehenge are synonymous with the Summer Solstice. The stones near Amesbury at Stonehenge in Wiltshire, that were set up in about 2500 BC, were carefully designed to align with the movements of the sun. Standing in the centre of the monument at summer solstice, the sun rises just to the left of a large standing stone outside the stone circle, known as the Heel Stone, seen through a gap in the outer sarsen circle.
It is likely that people would have gathered here to celebrate midsummer, usually dancing, celebrating, eating and performing rituals. Druids and pagans believe that Stonehenge is their temple so they continue to perform rituals, celebrate the bounty of the earth and the power of the sun and they still gather here to this day. Thousands of people gather here every year to watch the sun rise and set over the stones.
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