#alban hefin

[snakecultmystic]

･ﾟ⊹ ˚ · summer solstice witch · ˚ ⊹ ˚ ·

[candles-crystals-cauldrons]

Litha grimoire page

[thepatchworkcrow]

Solstice Eve, letting my spell candle from our weekend ritual burn while I break out the tarot cards.

[hochgouez-nerzhus]

Alban Hefin

Midsummer - Litha

Shore

The Summer Solstice feast in Druidism is called Alban Hefin, which means "The Light of the Shore". Druidism has a great respect and special reverence for the pivotal moments that separate the worlds. The shore precisely symbolizes one of these intermediate spaces, both of separation and meeting between the three kingdoms of Earth, Sea and Sky. Great power is attributed to places such as this.

This is the time of greatest daylight, when the Sun god is recognized by the Goddess as the King of Summer. At the same time, this leads to a certain sadness because from this moment until Alban Arthan - Yule (the power of the sun will decrease and we will then enter the declining part of the year. For some it is the beginning of the era of the Black Twin or Holly King who has just been born and who will see the apogee of his reign in Alban Arthan.

Among all the festivals, it is that of Alban Hefin which seems the most representative of Druidism. The iconic characters in white robes filmed during the rituals celebrated at dawn at Stonehenge are associated with it. Yet for Druids it is more a question of celebrating the turns of the seasons and the cycle of life, death and rebirth – represented in their entirety by the Wheel of the Year.

Druids at stonehenge

The Summer Solstice is the time when daylight is at its maximum and nature offers us the full magnificence of its colors and scents. In Druidic lore it is the moment of Alban Hefin which means "Light of Summer" or "Light of the Shore".

In Alban Hefin the spiral of the year has reached the ultimate goal of its course and the days are then the longest. After the June 21-22 solstice, the power of the sun begins to wane and the days begin to get shorter. The sun has reached the northernmost point on the horizon and is preparing to begin a long descent southward to end at the Winter Solstice, Alban Arthan, located in mid-December in the northern hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, the Summer Solstice falls on December 21 or 22, when the sun reaches the southernmost point on the horizon.

Pic 1-Summer Solstice Festival at Stonehenge - Article by the Guardian

Pic 2-Stonehenge at the Summer Solstice

The Summer Solstice was a major event for the Proto-Druids of the Late Stone Age, who built magnificent alignments of megaliths, located in the axis of sunrise at this precise moment. In the south-west of England, tradition traces these ritual practices back to the time of the Stonehenge temple - almost 5,000 years ago - and makes them last through the Bronze and Iron Ages until our modern age. Nowadays, many druidic orders, including the Order of Bards Ovates and Druids, do not fail to meet there to venerate the first rays of the sun reaching the sacred stones at this precise moment.

Callanish Stone Temple

Another remarkable stone temple dedicated to the Summer Solstice is that of Callanish, on the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides. There, four rows of stones, erected in the four directions from a central circle, draw a Celtic cross in the landscape, and form an astronomical observatory aligned with the sunrises and sunsets of the sun during the solstices as well as those of the equinoxes. . And Callanish is so far north that there is no night at all on the summer solstice.

Midsummer Bonfire in Cornwall

Jump over the fire

In Cornwall and Wales, boys and girls, adorned with crowns of flowers, came to dance in circles around large fires. Young men twirled burning firebrands around their heads to form circles of fire reminiscent of the sun and balanced burning barrels suspended from the tops of poles, or engaged in demonstrations of feats such as jumping through big flames—perhaps to encourage the wheat to grow taller too. When the flames were no more than glowing coals, the dancers held hands and jumped over them, taking care not to break the chain, which would have brought bad luck. The ashes having then acquired magical powers, the farmers collected them carefully before spreading them around their fields and their stables. These ancient fire customs endured into modern times and are still practiced in Cornwall today, thanks to the notable efforts of the Society of Old Cornwall dedicated to the preservation of traditional customs. On Midsummer's Eve, every peak in Cornwall is ablaze, each like a beacon of light that can be seen for miles around, as it used to be in ancient times, while in the towns farandoles of dancers meander spiraling through the streets to recall the old traditional dance.

That same night in County Limerick, Ireland, people were ascending in procession the hill of the Fairy Queen Aine, whose name means "Light", and who was probably a goddess connected with the female aspect of the sun. They set fire to sheaves of straw and hay called cliars and waved them over the fields and livestock to ensure good harvests and good health for the animals. When the top of the hill was fully ablaze, Aine and her fairy tribe would then come out to join the party.

The Summer Solstice was one of the three spiritual nights of the year, the other two being Beltaine and Samhain. The veil separating the worlds becoming extremely thin on this occasion, the fairies and ghosts left their territory, making themselves then easily visible to all those endowed with sensibilities and receptivities.

Fern in forest by Juhani Viitanem on Deviant art

It was a good time for gathering magic and medicinal plants. Fern seeds collected on the eve of the summer solstice could make one invisible, elderberries warded off evil spells, while stonecrop, verbena and yarrow were hung in special places around the house to protect against bad luck. eye and death.

Above all, it was the time for picking St. John's wort, with its golden star-shaped flowers, and which was the main one to be harvested on Midsummer's Eve. Called the "blessed plant" in Wales, it was renowned throughout Celtic lands for bringing peace and prosperity to the home, health to animals and a bountiful harvest.

St john's wort and how to make a St John's wort oil

St john's wort was thrown into the braziers lit during the solstice in Scotland and hung over the doors of houses and farm buildings for her powers of protection. Because these magic plants were then charged with the energy of the sun reached its maximum, then becoming a real blessing for the human kingdom.

Source : OBOD

[thehazeldruid]

What are we all doing for / Alban Hefin/ Litha/ Midsummer?

I have no solid plans yet, but I have some ideas for some things.

[amodernjunecleaver]

In the woods, around the fire with friends. Happy Solstice from our Seed Group to yours!

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 6.21

Holidays

Alzheimer’s Awareness Day

Atheist Solidarity Day

Baby Boomer Recognition Day

Banjo Lesson Day

Bill Murray Day

Create a New National Day Day

Day of the Martyrs (Togo)

Father’s Day (Egypt, Jordan, Kosovo, Lebanon, Syria, UAE)

Ferris Wheel Day

Flag Day (Greenland)

Flag Burning Day

Global MND / ALS Awareness Day

Go Skateboarding Day

Het Meetjesland Day (Belgium)

International Climate Change Day

International Flower Day

International Anirida Day

International Music Day (f.k.a. World Music Day)

International T-Shirt Day

International Yoga Day (UN)

LP Day

Martyrs' Day (Togo)

Migraine Solidarity Day

Naked Hiking Day

National Aboriginal Day (a.k.a. First Nations Day or Indigenous Peoples Day; Canada)

National Arizona Day

National ASK Day

National Create a New National Holiday Day

National Day of the Gong

National Dog Party Day

National eGiving Day

National Heroes’ Day (Bermuda)

National Jimmy Day

National Professional Medical Coder Day

National River Tubing Day

National Seashell Day

National Selfie Day

National Wedding Day

National Yard Games Day

Obscenity Day

Onion Day (French Republic)

Reaping Machine Day

Reserves Day (UK)

Shades for Migraine Day

Short Story Day (Africa)

Show Your Stripes Day

Stock Up On Antiperspirant Day

Suffolk Day (UK)

SYNGAP1 International Awareness Day

T-Shirt Day

Turner Syndrome Awareness Day (UK)

Ulloortuneq (Greenland)

World Day Against ELA (Spain)

World Giraffe Day

World Handshake Day

World Hydrography Day

World Kamasutra Day (India)

World Motorcycle Day

World Music Day (Paris, France)

Food & Drink Celebrations

Gin and Tonic Season begins

Johnnie Walker Day

Lambrusco Day

National Cookie Dough Day

National Smoothie Day

Peaches and Cream Day

Red Apple Day (Australia)

3rd Wednesday in June

National Healthcare Estates & Facilities Day (UK) [3rd Wednesday]

Independence Days

Greenland (Assumed Self-Rule; 2009)

New Hampshire Statehood Day (#9; 1788)

Principality of Aigues-Mortes (Declared; 2011) [unrecognized]

Feast Days

Aaron of Brittany (Christian; Saint)

Alban of Mainz (Christian; Saint)

Aloysius Gonzaga (Christian; Saint)

Day of the Crab (Pagan)

Engelmund of Velsen (Christian; Saint)

Eusebius of Samosata (Christian; Saint)

St. Henry (Positivist; Saint)

Henry Ossawa Tanner (Artology)

Leufredus (a.k.a. Keufroi; Christian; Saint)

Martin of Tongres (Christian; Saint)

Meen (a.k.a. Mevenus or Melanus; Christian; Saint)

Onesimos Nesib (Lutheran)

Ralph (Christian; Saint)

Sam Kinison Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Skateboarding Day (Pastafarian)

Solstice [1st Day of Summer in Northern Hemisphere] (a.k.a. ... 

Acophony (G’BroagFran of Anti-Music; Church of the SubGenius)

Alban Hefin (a.k.a. Litha or Midsummer; Celtic, Pagan) [4 of 8 Festivals of the Natural Year]

Aimless Wandering Day

Anne and Samantha Day

Aymara New Year (Año Nuevo Aymara; Bolivia)

Cuckoo Warning Day (it will be a wet summer if the cuckoo is heard today)

Daylight Appreciation Day

Day of Private Reflection

Day of the Martyrs (Togo)

Feast of the Great Spirit (Native American)

Fête de la Musique

Finally Summer Day/Finally Winter Day

Hump Day (Tasmania)

Indigenous New Year (We Tripantu; Año Nuevo Indígena; Chile)

International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice

Into Raymi (Incan Sun God Festival; Sacsayhuamán Andes Mountain Natives)

Jaanipäev (Estonia)

Jāņi (Latvia)

Juhannus Day (Finland)

Kupala (fertility rite)

Kupala Night (Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, Russia)

Litha (Wiccan/Pagan; northern hemisphere)

Midnight Sun Festival (Nome, Alaska)

Midsomarsblog (Norse celebration of fishing, trading & raiding)

Midsummer

Midsummer Baal (Celtic)

National Celluma Light Therapy Day

National Daylight Appreciation Day

National Day of Greenland

National Energy Shopping Day

Polar Bear Swim (Nome, Alaska)

Saint Jonas' Festival (Lithuania)

Solsticio de Invierno (Bolivia)

Sommar Börjar (Sweden)

Tall Girl Appreciation Day

33-1/3 Day

Tiregān (Iran)

Wadjet (Ancient Egypt)

We Tripantu (winter solstice festival in the southern hemisphere; Chile)

Wianki (Poland)

Willkakuti (Andean-Amazonic New Year; Aymara)

World Humanist Day

World Peace and Prayer Day

Yule (Wiccan/Pagan; southern hemisphere)

Sub-Human Cannonball (Muppetism)

World Humanist Day (Pastafarian)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Tomobiki (友引 Japan) [Good luck all day, except at noon.]

Umu Limnu (Evil Day; Babylonian Calendar; 29 of 60)

Premieres

Ain’t She Sweet (WB LT Cartoon; 1952)

Alpocalypse, by Weird Al Yankovic (Album; 2011)

Anna (Film; 2019)

The Bling Ring (Film; 2013)

The Blue Umbrella (Pixar Cartoon; 2013)

Bon Ives, by Bon Iver (Album; 2011)

Chinatown (Film; 1974)

Cocoon (Film; 1985)

Creepin on ah Come Up, by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony (EP; 1994)

Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, by Richard Wagner (Opera; 1868)

Donald and the Wheel (Disney Cartoon; 1961)

Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, by Elton John and Kiki Dee (Song; 1976)

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Animated Disney Film; 1996)

Impact is Imminent, by Exodus (Album; 1990)

Lifeforce (Film; 1985)

Lilo & Stitch (Animated Disney Film; 2002)

The Litterbug (Disney Cartoon; 1961)

Minority Report (Film; 2002)

Mr. Tambourine Man, by The Byrds (Album; 1965)

Monsters University (Animated Pixar Film; 2013)

Moves Like Jagger, by Maroon 5 (Song; 2011)

The Parent Trap (Film; 1961)

The Promise of Joy, by Allen Drury (Novel; 1975)

Return to Oz (Film; 1985)

The Rocketeer (Film; 1991)

Smoking: The Choice is Yours (Disney Educational Cartoon; 1981)

Sweet Child o’ Mine, by Guns n’ Roses (Song; 1988)

The Te of Piglet, by Benjamin Hoff (Spiritual Book; 1993)

Toy Story 4 (Animated Pixar Film; 2019)

A Walk on the Wild Side, by Nelson Algren (Novel; 1956)

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Film; 1966)

World War Z (Film; 2013)

Today’s Name Days

Adalbert, Florentina (Austria)

Margareta, Naum (Croatia)

Květa (Czech Republic)

Sylverius (Denmark)

Kaari, Karlotte, Karola, Karoliine, Karolin, Lota (Estonia)

Into (Finland)

Silvère (France)

Adalbert, Florentina, Margot (Germany)

Methodios (Greece)

Rafael (Hungary)

Ettore, Silverio (Italy)

Imula, Maira, Rasa, Rasma (Latvia)

Silverijus, Žadvainas, Žintautė (Lithuania)

Salve, Sølve, Sølvi (Norway)

Bogna, Bogumiła, Bożena, Florentyna, Franciszek, Michał, Rafaela, Rafał, Sylwery (Poland)

Metodie (România)

Maria, Valeria (Russia)

Valéria (Slovakia)

Florentina, Silverio (Spain)

Flora, Linda (Sweden)

Earl, Earline, Errol, Fatima, Ofelia, Omar, Omarion, Ophelia (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 173 of 2024; 193 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 3 of week 25 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Duir (Oak) [Day 10 of 28]

Chinese: Month 5 (Wu-Wu), Day 4 (Geng-Xu)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 2 Tammuz 5783

Islamic: 2 Dhu al-Hijjah 1444

J Cal: 22 Sol; Oneday [22 of 30]

Julian: 8 June 2023

Moon: 11%: Waxing Crescent

Positivist: 4 Charlemagne (7th Month) [St. Henry]

Runic Half Month: Dag (Day) [Day 12 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 1 of 94)

Zodiac: Cancer (Day 1 of 31)

Calendar Changes

Cancer (The Crab) begins [Zodiac Sign 4; thru 7.22]

Summer [Season 3 of 4; thru 9.23]

[famewolf]

Blessed Solstice/Litha/Alban Hefin to my fellow witches and pagans!

[thenightling]

Happy Midsummer to those who celebrate it!  Also known as Litha or Alban Hefin AKA The Summer Solstice.  The reason it's called Midsummer is because the Ancient Greeks originally only had two seasons. Summer and Winter.  They considered the autumn equinox the start of Winter and the Spring equinox to be the start of summer.  So between June 21st to June 24th Is Midsummer.   That's right.  Shakespeare's a Midsummer Night's Dream was in June.    Today is the longest day of the year and the shortest night of the year.   After today the nights will slowly start to get longer again.

[longshankstumblarian]

Litha

Litha Ritual Celebrated on the Summer Solstice, around June 21st each year. Litha is also known as Midsummer, Midsummer's Eve, St. John's Eve, and Alban Hefin. Correspondences Symbolism: Honoring the God at His peak, honoring the pregnant Goddess Symbols: Spear, cauldron, St. John's Wort, Sun images, faerie images, fire Foods: Fresh fruits and vegetables, pumpernickel bread, ale, mead Plants & herbs: Mugwort, chamomile, rose, ivy, wild thyme, lavender, orchid, yarrow, oak, vervain, St. John's Wort. Soure: Pinterest.com

[tipsycad147]

A Might-do List for Midsummer

 Alexis J. Cunningfolk

Midsummer, also known as the Summer Solstice, Litha, and Alban Hefin, marks the longest days of the year. Many ancient megaliths were built to align with the movement of the sun on Midsummer, the longest day of the year. Midsummer celebrates the height of the sun's power as well as the still distant but ever growing turn towards the cooler months. The Summer Solstice is also a day long associated with the magick of the Good Folk who are said to be more present than ever across the land. At Midsummer we celebrate the brightness of living and so much abundance that we have plenty to give and receive in turn. Now is a time to celebrate the expansiveness of life and the unique ways we express ourselves as necessary and loved members of our wider community. Continuing a project started last Lughnasadh, here’s a list of nine things that you might-do (or not) for the long day festival and hot season of the Summer Solstice.

Rise with the Sun. A simple and very sweet ritual is to rise with the sun on Midsummer. Meditate in silence or celebrate in song as the Sun rises up into the day, shedding light across the land. Planning to have special foods ready for breakfast can be an extra bonus.

Build simple stone cairns with friends and family. Glennie Kindred has a lovely suggestion for creating a participatory and engaging ritual space in her book Earth Wisdom. As folks are gathering together in the ritual space have them look for or bring five stones - one for each of the five elements of Earth, Air, Fire, and Spirit. As part of the ritual, each of the elements are called in and one-by-one folks bring their stone for each element into the center while offering personal thanks and blessings at each turn. Slowly a cairn or mound of stones will be formed by all of the stones placed by those gathered. Cairns can be left up (if environmentally appropriate) and used as places to make offerings to the Good Folk, but at least for the rest of the ritual the community-created cairn serves as a focal point for chanting, dancing, and general merriment.

Harvest herbs. The Summer Solstice is a traditional time to harvest herbs and especially those herbs associated with the Good Folk, the energies of love, and the powers of protection. St. Joan's or John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is traditionally harvested at Midsummer and turns into a beautiful red oil symbolizing the regenerative lifeblood of the land. Be sure to harvest herbs in a way that respects the land and its inhabitants tending to the places where they grow with as much care as plants tend to our healing needs.

Create some beautiful solar themed decorations. Decorations that catch the light and are bright in color are all wonderful options for Midsummer. Make faux stained glass with crayons and wax paper or your own sun wheels out of thread and twigs. Sun-shaped salt dough ornaments, wreaths made of dried herbs, and wild grass crowns are all seasonally appropriate and easy to make. Sun catchers and crystals hung in windows can bring rainbow light into our homes as well as outdoor ritual spaces. Whenever making or purchasing items, consider their long term environmental impact and try to align your choices with your earth-centered and celebrating festivities.

Energize culture-changing movements. Midsummer is an excellent time to call in and store up energy for the coming months and into winter. You can be intentional with your energizing magick and help to direct it towards and store it up for culture-changing movements and protests. I like to turn protest signs into magickal objects, bless my street medic bag and supplies, as well as raise energy and store it into other charms and amulets that I use in my work for a more just and kind world. 

Practice the magick of generosity. At the longest day of the year, marking a season of abundance and the peak of growth before the First Harvest in a few weeks time, Midsummer is an opportunity to practice the magick of generosity. I love the sentiment expressed in Circle Round: Raising Children in Goddess Traditions: "The Goddess at Summer Solstice gives us not just what we need, but extra. We can feel close to her by being generous, giving more than we're asked to give, doing more than our fair share. That way we make abundance for all." Generosity comes in many forms, but consider the ways that it is built into your magickal and spiritual practice at Midsummer, vowing to continue to act in abundance in your life and the lives of others.

Built an altar to the Sacred Dreamer. There are different myths from around the world about the shift of power from the light to the dark. At Midsummer the light of the Sun is at its peak - but from here on out the dark and lunar energies begin to rise. Some folks work with the myth of the Oak and Holly Kings and their never ending battles (and if you have an opportunity to see a ritual battle it can be a lot of fun). My own traditions align with stories of holy isles and descents into the underworld, where we draw closer to the world of dreams. Again, quoting Circle Round, they speak of the transformation of the God, noting that "[e]verything and everyone who fulfills their purpose must change… Now he becomes the Dreamer, asleep in this world but awake in the world of dreams and visions, the seeds of what will come to be in this world. He becomes the Messenger, carrying our hopes and prayers to the spirit realms." The Sabbats are a time to remember that change is a holy and necessary thing, that we aren't always meant to be doing the same thing throughout the year, but growing and retreating, shifting and changing with the seasons. 

Cast spells with candles. An alternative - and much shorter - version of the might-do lists for the Sabbats would simply be "Every six weeks(ish), burn stuff." The tracking of light and dark along with the necessity of fire for warmth and in the preparation of food stuff shows up powerfully in different ways at each Sabbat. The two times of year that candles are especially essential to my magickal practice are at Imbolc and then again at Midsummer. Whether building a dream altar to light the way for the Sun to descend into the underworld, to more traditional pin and candle spells, using fire in our magick at Midsummer can be a powerful act of energetic alignment.

Create a beacon of light. Lighting bonfires on hilltops is an ancient tradition of Midsummer that is still carried on in some Celtic cultures. You can create your own beacon of light whether an actual candle burning in your window or a piece of art displayed in a way for others to see. Fires on the hill were/are a form of spiritual devotion but also connection and community-building. What sacred symbols do you want to see more of in the world around you? How do you move through the world as a person of sacredness? What are the beacons that you're wanting to see to help you know that you're not alone in the work of repairing the world? If you're looking for social justice and mutual aid oriented images, Just Seeds is always a great place to check out. You can charge up your beacon from sunrise to sunset on Midsummer day, infusing it with the holy constant of solar light.

Check out all of my might-do lists for the wheel of the year. Learn more about magickal practices for the season of summer or cast some cards for the Summer Solstice. Here’s a midsummer brew to try and you also might like the refreshing taste of swamp tea. Finally, here’s some more herbal lore on the magick of the Summer Solstice.

May your day be bright and abundant of blessings. May your heart shine like a bonfire guiding you from longest day to slow-growing night. May we all come together in the spirit of generosity, knowing that there is enough, committed to the change needed to create equitable and holy access, and dancing all the way home.

[brookston]

Holidays 6.21

Holidays

Alzheimer’s Awareness Day

Atheist Solidarity Day

Baby Boomer Recognition Day

Banjo Lesson Day

Bill Murray Day

Create a New National Day Day

Day of the Martyrs (Togo)

Father’s Day (Egypt, Jordan, Kosovo, Lebanon, Syria, UAE)

Ferris Wheel Day

Flag Day (Greenland)

Flag Burning Day

Global MND / ALS Awareness Day

Go Skateboarding Day

Het Meetjesland Day (Belgium)

International Climate Change Day

International Flower Day

International Anirida Day

International Music Day (f.k.a. World Music Day)

International T-Shirt Day

International Yoga Day (UN)

LP Day

Martyrs' Day (Togo)

Migraine Solidarity Day

Naked Hiking Day

National Aboriginal Day (a.k.a. First Nations Day or Indigenous Peoples Day; Canada)

National Arizona Day

National ASK Day

National Create a New National Holiday Day

National Day of the Gong

National Dog Party Day

National eGiving Day

National Heroes’ Day (Bermuda)

National Jimmy Day

National Professional Medical Coder Day

National River Tubing Day

National Seashell Day

National Selfie Day

National Wedding Day

National Yard Games Day

Obscenity Day

Onion Day (French Republic)

Reaping Machine Day

Reserves Day (UK)

Shades for Migraine Day

Short Story Day (Africa)

Show Your Stripes Day

Stock Up On Antiperspirant Day

Suffolk Day (UK)

SYNGAP1 International Awareness Day

T-Shirt Day

Turner Syndrome Awareness Day (UK)

Ulloortuneq (Greenland)

World Day Against ELA (Spain)

World Giraffe Day

World Handshake Day

World Hydrography Day

World Kamasutra Day (India)

World Motorcycle Day

World Music Day (Paris, France)

Food & Drink Celebrations

Gin and Tonic Season begins

Johnnie Walker Day

Lambrusco Day

National Cookie Dough Day

National Smoothie Day

Peaches and Cream Day

Red Apple Day (Australia)

3rd Wednesday in June

National Healthcare Estates & Facilities Day (UK) [3rd Wednesday]

Independence Days

Greenland (Assumed Self-Rule; 2009)

New Hampshire Statehood Day (#9; 1788)

Principality of Aigues-Mortes (Declared; 2011) [unrecognized]

Feast Days

Aaron of Brittany (Christian; Saint)

Alban of Mainz (Christian; Saint)

Aloysius Gonzaga (Christian; Saint)

Day of the Crab (Pagan)

Engelmund of Velsen (Christian; Saint)

Eusebius of Samosata (Christian; Saint)

St. Henry (Positivist; Saint)

Henry Ossawa Tanner (Artology)

Leufredus (a.k.a. Keufroi; Christian; Saint)

Martin of Tongres (Christian; Saint)

Meen (a.k.a. Mevenus or Melanus; Christian; Saint)

Onesimos Nesib (Lutheran)

Ralph (Christian; Saint)

Sam Kinison Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Skateboarding Day (Pastafarian)

Solstice [1st Day of Summer in Northern Hemisphere] (a.k.a. ... 

Acophony (G’BroagFran of Anti-Music; Church of the SubGenius)

Alban Hefin (a.k.a. Litha or Midsummer; Celtic, Pagan) [4 of 8 Festivals of the Natural Year]

Aimless Wandering Day

Anne and Samantha Day

Aymara New Year (Año Nuevo Aymara; Bolivia)

Cuckoo Warning Day (it will be a wet summer if the cuckoo is heard today)

Daylight Appreciation Day

Day of Private Reflection

Day of the Martyrs (Togo)

Feast of the Great Spirit (Native American)

Fête de la Musique

Finally Summer Day/Finally Winter Day

Hump Day (Tasmania)

Indigenous New Year (We Tripantu; Año Nuevo Indígena; Chile)

International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice

Into Raymi (Incan Sun God Festival; Sacsayhuamán Andes Mountain Natives)

Jaanipäev (Estonia)

Jāņi (Latvia)

Juhannus Day (Finland)

Kupala (fertility rite)

Kupala Night (Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, Russia)

Litha (Wiccan/Pagan; northern hemisphere)

Midnight Sun Festival (Nome, Alaska)

Midsomarsblog (Norse celebration of fishing, trading & raiding)

Midsummer

Midsummer Baal (Celtic)

National Celluma Light Therapy Day

National Daylight Appreciation Day

National Day of Greenland

National Energy Shopping Day

Polar Bear Swim (Nome, Alaska)

Saint Jonas' Festival (Lithuania)

Solsticio de Invierno (Bolivia)

Sommar Börjar (Sweden)

Tall Girl Appreciation Day

33-1/3 Day

Tiregān (Iran)

Wadjet (Ancient Egypt)

We Tripantu (winter solstice festival in the southern hemisphere; Chile)

Wianki (Poland)

Willkakuti (Andean-Amazonic New Year; Aymara)

World Humanist Day

World Peace and Prayer Day

Yule (Wiccan/Pagan; southern hemisphere)

Sub-Human Cannonball (Muppetism)

World Humanist Day (Pastafarian)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Tomobiki (友引 Japan) [Good luck all day, except at noon.]

Umu Limnu (Evil Day; Babylonian Calendar; 29 of 60)

Premieres

Ain’t She Sweet (WB LT Cartoon; 1952)

Alpocalypse, by Weird Al Yankovic (Album; 2011)

Anna (Film; 2019)

The Bling Ring (Film; 2013)

The Blue Umbrella (Pixar Cartoon; 2013)

Bon Ives, by Bon Iver (Album; 2011)

Chinatown (Film; 1974)

Cocoon (Film; 1985)

Creepin on ah Come Up, by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony (EP; 1994)

Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, by Richard Wagner (Opera; 1868)

Donald and the Wheel (Disney Cartoon; 1961)

Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, by Elton John and Kiki Dee (Song; 1976)

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Animated Disney Film; 1996)

Impact is Imminent, by Exodus (Album; 1990)

Lifeforce (Film; 1985)

Lilo & Stitch (Animated Disney Film; 2002)

The Litterbug (Disney Cartoon; 1961)

Minority Report (Film; 2002)

Mr. Tambourine Man, by The Byrds (Album; 1965)

Monsters University (Animated Pixar Film; 2013)

Moves Like Jagger, by Maroon 5 (Song; 2011)

The Parent Trap (Film; 1961)

The Promise of Joy, by Allen Drury (Novel; 1975)

Return to Oz (Film; 1985)

The Rocketeer (Film; 1991)

Smoking: The Choice is Yours (Disney Educational Cartoon; 1981)

Sweet Child o’ Mine, by Guns n’ Roses (Song; 1988)

The Te of Piglet, by Benjamin Hoff (Spiritual Book; 1993)

Toy Story 4 (Animated Pixar Film; 2019)

A Walk on the Wild Side, by Nelson Algren (Novel; 1956)

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Film; 1966)

World War Z (Film; 2013)

Today’s Name Days

Adalbert, Florentina (Austria)

Margareta, Naum (Croatia)

Květa (Czech Republic)

Sylverius (Denmark)

Kaari, Karlotte, Karola, Karoliine, Karolin, Lota (Estonia)

Into (Finland)

Silvère (France)

Adalbert, Florentina, Margot (Germany)

Methodios (Greece)

Rafael (Hungary)

Ettore, Silverio (Italy)

Imula, Maira, Rasa, Rasma (Latvia)

Silverijus, Žadvainas, Žintautė (Lithuania)

Salve, Sølve, Sølvi (Norway)

Bogna, Bogumiła, Bożena, Florentyna, Franciszek, Michał, Rafaela, Rafał, Sylwery (Poland)

Metodie (România)

Maria, Valeria (Russia)

Valéria (Slovakia)

Florentina, Silverio (Spain)

Flora, Linda (Sweden)

Earl, Earline, Errol, Fatima, Ofelia, Omar, Omarion, Ophelia (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 173 of 2024; 193 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 3 of week 25 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Duir (Oak) [Day 10 of 28]

Chinese: Month 5 (Wu-Wu), Day 4 (Geng-Xu)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 2 Tammuz 5783

Islamic: 2 Dhu al-Hijjah 1444

J Cal: 22 Sol; Oneday [22 of 30]

Julian: 8 June 2023

Moon: 11%: Waxing Crescent

Positivist: 4 Charlemagne (7th Month) [St. Henry]

Runic Half Month: Dag (Day) [Day 12 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 1 of 94)

Zodiac: Cancer (Day 1 of 31)

Calendar Changes

Cancer (The Crab) begins [Zodiac Sign 4; thru 7.22]

Summer [Season 3 of 4; thru 9.23]

[hochgouez-nerzhus]

Mediosamonios also says Alban Eifin, midtsommer

Photo : Aurelie Scouarnec (all rights reserved).

Mediosamonios also says summer solstice or Saint-Jean, Litha, Alban Eifin (Alban Hefin variant), Mediosamonios and Midsummer. In Scandinavia, we speak of Sankthans, Jonsok, Johannesvake, or Midtsommer.

We know this festival well, which has current resonances in the "fires of St Jean". At the summer solstice, the Sun makes its longest course from northeast to northwest.

The days are at their maximum amplitude and the solar energy is at its maximum activity. It is also a particularly favorable period for picking magic and medicinal plants that are traditionally collected at the dawn of the solstice.

Among the sacred plants lunar mugwort, solar St. John's wort and verbena officinalis which creates the link between the two.

Mugwort

Verbana officinalis

St John's wort

There are others, the list is long, fern, ground ivy, stonecrop, loosestrife, piloselle hawkweed, warbler mint, figwort, yarrow... So many plants which were not only endowed with powers over illness but also over luck and bad luck. It is enough to hang a bouquet of these plants on the threshold of the house or the barn to ward off bad luck.

The Sun has become a handsome, vigorous male, he 's at the peak of his strength. And paradox, in doing so, already presents the germ of its fall. Solstitial rituals are complex and are often held in several parts. The observance of the vigil, the dawn ceremony and the noon ceremony.

The vigil is held near the mounds or places of memory, they are an inner quest, a quest for vision at the same time as the occasion for exchanges, discussion, music or poetry The dawn ceremony is a homage to the Sun and an appeal to the life force of the Sun.

The following ceremony welcomes the coronation of the King and honors the ancestors and Tradition.

One of the most famous ceremonies is held on the site of Stonehenge and sees hundreds of people flocking to celebrate the sunrise in this place. Celebrations take place every year in this place. They are often marked by joy and a certain eccentricity that has always been characteristic of pagan celebrations.

The solstice is a moment of extroversion, we dance, we jump, we sing, we make music.

Photos : Aurelie Scouarnec (all rights reserved).

Sometimes sun wheels or firebrands (bures) are turned to celebrate the triumph of the Sun. Moments of jubilation that are accompanied by moments of reflection because we know that the Sun at its highest is already beginning to decline.

Fire, its implementation, its maintenance and the offerings made to it, are important elements in the art of the Druids. It is beneficial by the protection, the health, the illumination that it offers. It is said that the strength of a Fire is related to the art of its construction: "Mog Ruith said to Cennmhar: 'Light and prepare the fire. Cennmhar got up and arranged the pyre thus: he formed it like a churn with three sides and three angles, but seven gates, whereas there were only three gates in the northern fire.

Midsummer fire

Making the “bed of fire” is still part of the druidic arts.

Druidic Fire Rite

The Fear lasraichean will come forward to build the bonfire, with the 7 sacred woods that will have been chosen before the ritual, think about having beautiful logs and twigs to light, paper and everything else too.

The 7 sacred woods for this rite are: Fir, Birch, Beech, Elm, Chestnut, Apple and Oak.

When the stake is ready, the officiant comes forward and says:

“O power of Nature and the ascents of Awen I honor you. By this feast of Tantad here in the height of the season of Light. I light a Druidic fire to pay homage to the Gods. »

And say the following Druidic prayer:

“Give us, O Gods, your support.

And with your support, strength.

And with strength, understanding.

And with understanding, science.

And with science, the science of what is right, the power to love.

And by loving, the love of all living beings.

And in every living being, the love of the Gods.

Elder Gods and just good! »

Mediosamonios is therefore a celebration of Fire, Fire of life, fire of Men. A fire kept up all night, during the vigil, while waiting to be able to greet the fire of Heaven, the Sun of Dawn which is “the eye of Belen”, or even the eye of the Day.

It is even said that fairies sometimes join in the feast of the living as Mediosamonios is also a night of the spirits like Samonios and Belotennia.

Druides OTHA

[dowsingfordivinity]

✨ Emojis for Druid festivals ✨

Samhuinn 🍎 🍂 🎃 💀 🍄Alban Arthan 🐻 ☀️ 🕯️ 🎄 ❄️Imbolc 🐑 🕯️ 💦 ✨Alban Eilir 🌍 ☀️ 🌱 🌸🌷🌼Beltane 🔥 🐄 🔥 🌳 🌹 🌷Alban Hefin ☀️ 🏝️ 🌊 🔥Lughnasadh 🌾 🍞 🍺 🧀 🤼Alban Elfed ☀️ 💦 🍏 🍇 🍐 🍑 Just my suggestions, add your own as desired. For more information on Druid festivals, visit Druidry.Org: The eightfold wheel of the year