� 2001-2006 by Shiloh
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While I'm a Christian and hold a firm belief and testimomy of LDS principles and doctrine I am also fascinated, as my regular readers know, with ancient mythology and religions. (I used to check out books of Greek and Roman myths from the library all the time as a kid, absorbing and just drinking in the tales of Aphrodite, Hera and Athena, who squabbled over Eris' Golden Apple, of Echo and Narcisisus(sp?), of Cupid and Psyche and many others. I knew their tales by heart.) And as I become more involved and interested in my Celtic heritage, the more I want to know and learn about the mythology and religion they practiced.
* The Summer Solstice was observed almost globally in the ancient world. The Greeks, Romans and Celts were only a few of the peoples who held sacred rites on or near Midsummer. The word "solstice" comes from the Latin root words--you'll be proud of me, Warda, for knowing this--sol, meaning "sun" and sistere, meaning "to cause to stand still."
In pre-historic times summer was a continuation of the rebirth begun in the springtime. It was a joyous season; the winter's cold was gone with the rising of temperatures. Food was easier to find, and beautiful flowers, in all the colors of the rainbow, bloomed in abundance. The crops, already planted, would be harvested in a few short months.
In ancient China they celebrated the Earth, the feminine and the yin forces. This celebration complemented the Winter Solstice, in which the heavens, masculinity and yang forces were recognized.
Celtic Druids, the priests, scholars or judges for the ancient Celts on the British isle, celebrated Alban Heruin ("Light of the Shore"). This festival celebrated the peak of Light, sometimes symbolized in the crowning of the Oak King, god of the waxing year. At his crowning, the Oak King became the Holly King, god of the waning year. The days following this festival formed the waning part of the year because the days became shorter.
Germanic, Slavic and Celtic tribes on the European continent observed the Summer Solstice with bonfires. For them it was a night of fire festivals and of love magic, of love oracles and divination. Pairs of lovers would jump over or through the fire. It was believed the crops would grow as high as the couples were able to jump. With the fire's magic, maidens would find out about their future husbands, and spirits and demons were banished.
Bonfires were also used to generate sympathetic magic, giving a boost to the sun's energy so it would remain potent throughout the remainder of the growing season and guarantee a plentiful harvest.
Here in America, men of the Hopi tribe would dress up as Kachinas--the dancing spirits of rain and fertility who were messengers between mortals and the gods. At Midsummer, it was believed the Kachinas left the villages to spend the next six months in the mountains, where they visited the dead underground and held ceremonies on their behalf.
Today, Neopagan religions--most of them loosely based on the ancient Celts'--celebrate Midsummer, or Litha, once again. And the Catholics, of course, have their Feast of St. John the Baptist, usually on the 24th of June.
In the past, I've usually made a mental note of today, but never did anything to celebrate it. Sometimes it's slipped by before I knew it. But not today. In a while I'm going to watch A Midsummer Night's Dream. Tonight I'm going to feel the magic of Midsummer's Night.
* Source found at Religioustolerance.org.
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