Technically, the Summer Solstice is an astronomical point that occurs when the sun reaches the tropic of Cancer and when people in the northern hemisphere experience the longest day and the shortest night of the year. Solstice is derived from Latin and means “the sun stands still”. This year the exact time of the solstice is June 21 at 7:26 am CDT. Astrologers recognize this as the date when the sun enters the sign of Cancer.

This time of year is called Mid-Summer because prior to our modern day Gregorian calendar, people considered summer to be between May 1 and August 1. Therefore, the summer solstice is midway between these two dates, thus Mid-Summer. Midsummer’s eve is actually the evening before the longest day of the year.

Whether you call the period between June 21 – 24 Summer Solstice, Mid-summer’s Eve, Litha, Night of the Verbena or Feast of St. John the Baptist; this a special time of year for reflection and celebration. Perhaps it is Shakespeare’s famous and magical comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” that makes the thought of a Mid-Summer’s Eve celebration so intriguing. This classic work so poetically weaves herbs and flowers into the tale of a wedding, a love story and the faery folk. Shakespeare presented a rollicking romp of human and imaginary creatures, caught up in the joyfulness, the madness and the folly of the season.

For the ancients, this time of year was very significant because they knew that this was the longest day of the year and that the days ahead would begin to get probressively shorter and ultimately colder. They feared that the light might actually continue to decrease until it was gone completely- never to return. To prevent that from happening, they built huge bonfires on Mid- Summer’s Eve in an attempt to warm the heavens and hold the heat in the sky.

Midsummer represented the fulfillment of the promises of the spring equinox. It was the time of abundance; when flowers, herbs, fruits and vegetables began to be harvested and preserved in anticipation of the lean winter months to follow.

This time of year was full of ancient myths and beliefs. It was thought that at this time of year, faeries were at their most playful. According to British fairy lore, this night was second only to Halloween for its importance to the wee folk. It was believed that in order to see the little people, one had to gather fern seed at the stroke of midnight and rub it onto your eyelids. It was also advised to carry a little bit of rue in your pocket so as not to be misled by some of the more mischievous faeries.

From the moment of Midsummer, the sun begins immediately to wane and the journey into the harvest season begins. But it is at this time that the sun god is at the peak of his reign and for this reason joyful celebrations took place. The moon at this time of Midsummer was known as the Honey Moon because mead, which is made from fermented honey, was drunk on wedding nights as an aphrodisiac.

The herbs and plants most often gathered and associated with this time of year are ferns, calendula, mugwort, chamomile, geranium, larkspur, pennyroyal, verbena (vervain), rue, roses, trefoil, thyme and St. John's Wort.

In ancient times, the Summer Solstice was celebrated with flowers, feasting, singing, dancing and marriages. Fires were a major part in ancient Solstice celebrations. Fire wheels were often hurled into the air or rolled down sacred hills. A Midsummer fire was traditionally kindled from the friction of two sacred woods- fir and oak. Sacred herbs of the season were cast into the Midsummer fire. The herds of animals were then driven through the embers of the herbal fire to purge them of disease and illness.

In England, it was the ancient custom on Midsummer’s eve to light large bonfires after sundown- which served to provide light to the revelers and also to ward off evil spirits. People often jumped through the fires for good luck in the following year.

Modern day celebrations can also encompass flowers, food, music and fire. Sprigs of thyme and St. John’s Wort can be used to adorn the household or arranged in a bouquet for the table. If possible, a bonfire should be lit- a big one. Where an open fire is not possible, a multitude of candles can be used instead. Try to keep artificial light to a minimum and use candles to provide any needed illumination.

Food for the celebration can be simple or elaborate but should be centered around the key herbs that had traditional meaning at this time of year. Some appropriate music should be added to complete the celebration. Something quiet and timeless such as classical guitar, Celtic harp or perhaps flute music- to encourage guests to dance around the fire and commune with the spirits. Towards the end of the celebration, perhaps those in attendance could throw some herbs into the ceremonial fire to ensure an absence of ill luck during the year.

However you celebrate this time of year, make sure to take time to reflect and be thankful for the beauty, the bounty and the good things in our lives.

Garden Spirit’s Summer Solstice natural soap, scented with essential oil of bergamot and infused with yellow and gold calendula petals was inspired by this sun-filled and joyous time of year. Like all our soaps, Summer Solstice has an abundance of natural, moisturizing oils to enhance and rejuvenate your skin. The calendula petals in our Summer Solstice are not only beautiful in appearance; they also provide additional nutrients for your skin.