Celebrating Summer Solstice & MidSummer

Lore and Rituals by Selena Fox

Summer Solstice, sometimes known as Midsummer, Litha, or St. John's Day, occurs in the middle of June. It is a celebration of the longest day of the year and the beginning of Summer. It has been a grand tribal gathering time since ancient times. This is a sacred time for honoring Mother Earth and the Sacred Sun. Colors are Yellow, Green, and Blue. It is a festival of community sharing and planetary service.

Celebrate Solstice time with other Pagans -- take part in the Pagan Spirit Gathering or some other Pagan festival happening during June. Keep a Sacred Fire burning throughout the gathering. Stay up all night on Solstice Eve and welcome the rising Sun at dawn. Make a pledge to Mother Earth of something that you will do to improve the environment and then begin carrying it out. Have a magical gift exchange with friends. Burn your Yule wreath in a Summer Solstice bonfire. Exchange songs, chants, and stories with others in person or through the mail. Do ecstatic dancing to drums around a blazing bonfire.

Traditions include:

• Sun Rituals & Offerings
• Sacred Fires - Bonfires, Candlelight Labryinths, Fire leaping, Fireworks
• MidSummar Pole
• Herb gathering
• Flowers & Greenery Wreaths, Crowns, Garlands
• Waters - Dew, Swimming, Holy Wells, Purification
• Foods, Drinks, Feasting
• Music & Dancing
• Revelry

Resources for Summer Solstice Celebrations

• MidSummer Month Celebrations (video)
• Summer Solstice Morning Ritual (video, PSG 2020)
• Spirit Bag Crafting
• Sacred Work with Mugwort
• Solstice Fires of the Pagan Spirit Gathering