The Wheel
Summer Solstice, Midsummer
June 20-23: the height of the sun, protection, community, and nature spirits.
Date: June 20-23
Colors: Gold, Yellow, Rainbow Colors
Customs: Balefires, singing, feasting, celebrating, all-night vigils
Ritual Focus: Community relationships, nature spirit communion
This festival celebrates the longest day of the year and the height of the sun’s and God’s power. Beyond this day the waning year begins as each day grows shorter and the God moves closer to death.
Many cultures prepare amulets and talismans before this celebration so they may be charged with the light of the longest day and empowered by the attending fires. Midsummer is also the time when wild herbs are mature for gathering and drying.
At Midsummer, the Goddess is heavy with pregnancy, the earth is laden with coming crops, and animals carry future offspring. The season celebrates both Mother and Father of life.