Celebrating the Summer Solstice: Part 2

Happy Midsummer, everyone! Now is the time of year when there is the most light in the day. In ancient British tradition, the Holly King, ruler of darkness, takes over from the Oak King, ruler of light, as from now, the days will slowly start to get shorter and the nights longer.

In Britain, many people still celebrate Litha (Midsummer) by going to sacred places in nature and staying up all night on the shortest night of the year, to watch the sunrise on Midsummer’s Day.

One special place which is very popular to do this is Stonehenge. Stonehenge is a circle of stones which were placed there probably around 3000 years ago. There are many theories about why the stones are where they are. Some people say they are on a convergence of leylines – invisible lines of energy which, when they cross, can become centres of great magic and power. What remains clear is that the stones are sacred, and this is recognised by English Heritage, the charity that is responsible for running the stones as a tourist attraction.

Since the stones are so old, it is currently prohibited for visitors to walk within the circle, or to touch the stones. But this ban is lifted on the Summer Solstice, thanks to the value of religious freedom in the UK.

So every year, hundreds of celebrators arrive at the stone circle on the night before the Solstice. They come together among the stones. They sing. They dance. They pray. And at dawn, they watch the sun come up, and its light touch the point of one particular stone. At this, there is a great cheer. It’s just like being at a concert, but instead of cheering a band or DJ, we are cheering the sun.

How do you celebrate the sun? Please let me know in the comments.

If you would like to learn more about traditional British culture ‘beyond fish and chips’ please book a class with me.

Main photo by Raviv Bajaj on Unsplash