Summer Solstice - Embracing the Peak of Light
Mythology/Folklore/History
Friday 21st, June 2024
As June 21st marks the Summer Solstice, those in the Northern Hemisphere will experience the longest day and the shortest night of the year. This year, the exact moment of the Solstice, known in Gaelic as "Grianstad" or 'sun-stop', will occur on Thursday, June 20th at 9:51 PM. This phenomenon, caused by the Earth's elliptical orbit around the sun, represents a key turning point in the Celtic calendar.
For several days following June 20th, daylight hours will remain nearly the same, with only an imperceptible reduction by June 25th. On this day, the length of daylight is 9 hours and 30 minutes longer than the Winter Solstice in December, highlighting the stark contrast in light between the two solstices.
Our ancestors viewed this time as momentous, celebrating it with blooming, blossoming, and wild abandon. This celebration, despite heralding the gradual return of darker days, was a time of revelry in the height of summer and the fresh, earthy freedom it brought. Traditional ceremonies and rituals in nature, such as weddings, fires, garlands of colourful blossoms, and dance rituals, were common, reflecting the significance of this peak moment of light.
Spiritually, the Summer Solstice is seen as a time of enlightenment. As humans, we are consumers of light through our diet, made possible by photosynthesis, and many healing modalities are based on our chakra system, believed to be made of light constituents. The abundance of light, heat, radiation, and electromagnetic energy peaking in our natural world at this time is unavoidable.
The mythological stories of Ireland often deify the sun, with Lugh the Sun God being a prominent figure. Known as Lugh Samhildánach or Lugh of the Many Arts, his legendary entry to the court of King Nuada of the Tuatha Dé Danann at Tara highlights the importance of multifaceted talents. As the story goes, Lugh offered his services in various skills but was initially rejected until he demonstrated his proficiency in all those skills combined. This earned him the title of Chief Ollam of Ireland, a position roughly equivalent to a professor in Gaelic terms.
This myth metaphorically represents the concept of enlightenment. Just as Lugh showcased his multiple talents, we too can discover and embrace the diverse potentials within ourselves. By doing so, we take our place in the Tribe of Mother Earth, identified by our wisdom.
As we celebrate the Summer Solstice, we are reminded of our connection to the earth and the cyclical nature of light and dark. This time encourages us to embrace the peak of summer’s light while acknowledging the gradual transition towards the darker days ahead.
For several days following June 20th, daylight hours will remain nearly the same, with only an imperceptible reduction by June 25th. On this day, the length of daylight is 9 hours and 30 minutes longer than the Winter Solstice in December, highlighting the stark contrast in light between the two solstices.
Our ancestors viewed this time as momentous, celebrating it with blooming, blossoming, and wild abandon. This celebration, despite heralding the gradual return of darker days, was a time of revelry in the height of summer and the fresh, earthy freedom it brought. Traditional ceremonies and rituals in nature, such as weddings, fires, garlands of colourful blossoms, and dance rituals, were common, reflecting the significance of this peak moment of light.
Spiritually, the Summer Solstice is seen as a time of enlightenment. As humans, we are consumers of light through our diet, made possible by photosynthesis, and many healing modalities are based on our chakra system, believed to be made of light constituents. The abundance of light, heat, radiation, and electromagnetic energy peaking in our natural world at this time is unavoidable.
The mythological stories of Ireland often deify the sun, with Lugh the Sun God being a prominent figure. Known as Lugh Samhildánach or Lugh of the Many Arts, his legendary entry to the court of King Nuada of the Tuatha Dé Danann at Tara highlights the importance of multifaceted talents. As the story goes, Lugh offered his services in various skills but was initially rejected until he demonstrated his proficiency in all those skills combined. This earned him the title of Chief Ollam of Ireland, a position roughly equivalent to a professor in Gaelic terms.
This myth metaphorically represents the concept of enlightenment. Just as Lugh showcased his multiple talents, we too can discover and embrace the diverse potentials within ourselves. By doing so, we take our place in the Tribe of Mother Earth, identified by our wisdom.
As we celebrate the Summer Solstice, we are reminded of our connection to the earth and the cyclical nature of light and dark. This time encourages us to embrace the peak of summer’s light while acknowledging the gradual transition towards the darker days ahead.
