Click here to buy the Moon Phase Reading

Mid-June brings us the Summer Solstice, which is the longest day of the year, in the northern hemisphere, the shortest day in the southern hemisphere. For the north, it marks the first day of summer. (Whooo hooo!)  It’s typically on or around June 21^st.  This is a mystical, magical time of year, known as the Summer Solstice, "Midsummer" or "Litha", and many cultural and religious celebrations have centered upon it.  It falls on the Astrological sign of the Crab. 

The full moon in June is called by some the “Strawberry Moon”, by others the Honey Moon.  This year June's full moon is on the  24^th. Tradition holds that this is the best time to harvest honey from the hives. Honey was a symbol of fertility; a tradition was that newly married couples would eat foods prepared with honey for the first month of their marriage.  That’s the origin of the honeymoon. 

June became a month form marriages because it was practical, poised between the planting and harvesting of crops.  But it was also because many people believed that the union of the God and Goddess was in early May at Beltane. It was considered unlucky to compete with the deities, so weddings were held in June out of respect for the Gods. 

Summer Solstice Celebrations:

Ancient Celts: Druids, the priestly/professional/diplomatic corps in Celtic countries, celebrated Alban Heruin, the wedding of Heaven and Earth.

Ancient China: Their summer solstice ceremony celebrated the earth, the feminine, and the yin forces. (The winter solstice celebrates the heavens, masculinity and yang forces.)

Ancient Gaul: The Midsummer celebration was called Feast of Epona, named after a female horse goddess.

Ancient Germanic, Slav and Celtic tribes in Europe: Ancient Pagans celebrated Midsummer with bonfires.  The bonfires were used for divination about the future, jumping through the flames was said to bring luck, and maybe a vision of your future husband.  Fires were thought to give a boost to the power of the sun, ensuring a long growing season and  a good harvest

Ancient Rome: The festival of Vestalia lasted from JUN-7 to JUN-15. It was held in honor of the Roman Goddess of the hearth, Vesta. (Incidentally, Vesta was attended by the Vestal Virgins)

Ancient Sweden: A Midsummer tree was decorated and people danced around it. Women and girls would bath in the river, it was a magical rite, which was thought to bring rain to the crops.  And the river was an ever-changing quantity, it brought renewal.

Christian countries: After the conversion of Europe to Christianity, the feast day of St. John the Baptist was set as June 24^th, soon after Solstice.  (Similarly, Christmas is a few days after Winter Solstice)

Shakespeare’s Ode to the Solstice- A Midsummer Night's Dream

Midsummer Herb Lore

Litha Celebration Foods and Recipes

Midsummer Lore and Magic   

Midsummer Rituals

Find out what it’s like to celebrate Solstice at Stonehenge