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| AVALON
EXPLORING THE MYTHIC REALITY SUMMER SOLSTICE Welcome back to Exploring the Mythic Reality. We come to the summer solstice. Oh my, how time is just moving along without us it seems. Yes we have come to the Solstice. Well this may come as a shock to some, but there is no evidence from Pre-Christian sources of a specific Celtic observation at the Summer solstice. We do however have an old Celtic name for the season of the solstice from the word Medio-saminos "(of) midsummer" from its descendants in many modern Celtic names for the month of June: Irish Meitheamh, Welsh, Mehefin, Cornish, Metheven, and Breton, Mezheven. The celebration of the Summer Solstice originally would have been overshadowed by the Earth Feast preceding it; (Beltane) and many rituals associated with midsummer in Celtic communities today are clearly Beltane/Bealtaine rituals moved forward. (Continued celebrations please no offence). Due to perhaps from Roman and Germanic influences, the date is now well entrenched as an important occasion in the ritual year throughout the Celtic world, not to mention there was much foreign admixture and confusion with Bealtaine, it does retain a great deal of significance in a Celtic context. Some modern (Neo Pagan) groups insist on celebrating the solstice on June 24 the Feast of St. John the Baptist. However, all traditional midsummer observances take place on the night of June 23. Midsummer really does not come from any specific cultural tradition but from an environmental influence on the light to dark ratio, and its effect on the human psychology. Midsummer brings the triumph of final light over the darkness, and the promise of the coming harvest. Midsummer also fulfills the aspects of Beltane as an important time devoted to the gathering of medicinal herbs on this date. This is reference to the God Belenos would come from. He is the solar god of healing. He is patron of all plants, which have curative properties. These plants are believed to begin their main period of growth with the onset of summer and are considered ripe to harvest on the solstice. (Belenos is not to be confused with Beltane, as clarified in our last exploration.). The solstice is a great time for invocation of the solar spirits to give the crops fertility and blessings for a great harvest season. The communities did engage in activities such as bonfires, and they would play reckless games like jumping through them, way into the night. To be blacked by the fire meant good luck. In our time, we could incorporate fireworks instead of rolling burning sun symbols down hills. (Frightening!!!). I hope they didn't start any forest fires. (LOL). As the night went on, and flames died down, midsummer blessings were given, and preparing for the major changes in their lives and the community. In the Avalonian tradition I follow, we only celebrate the cross quarters of Samhain 15 degrees Scorpio, Beltane 15 degrees Taurus, Imbolc 15 degrees Aquarius, Lughnasadh 15 degrees Leo. We do observe the solstices and equinoxes as masculine observances. With respect to these environmental changes I usually light a candle in respect for the masculine. The Avalonian tradition is a Goddess centered Celtic tradition. The only time there are men invited in the circle is at Samhain and Beltane and they have to be ritually prepared before entering. More on that in my up and coming book. So start up the bonfires again, conduct yourselves with common sense to not cause injuries. Fire is only partially our friend. Celebrate the longer summer days and the coming of the first harvest of Lughnasadh! Have a safe and happy midsummer. Blessings Chris Maher Priestess of Avalon Sources: Spinning the wheel of Anna, Kathy Jones, and Alexei Kondratiev The Apple Branch. |