From the Latin Sol meaning sun and sistere "cause to stand still"
We say a day, but really the Solstice is just one moment in time - UK time 3.42am tomorrow morning.
Some people will be joining the Druids at Stonehenge for an all night vigil and to watch the sunrise or heading to a Neolithic passage tomb on Anglesey where the inner burial chamber is lit up by a shaft of light as the sun rises.
In the past bonfires would have been lit and the solstice was once said to be the perfect time to gather herbs, especially Vervain, which was cultivated as a medicinal herb in Medieval times for use as a relaxant or nerve tonic.
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Happy Summer Solstice!
ReplyDeleteThe sun is shining again here this morning, so it's going to be another hot day.
DeleteAnd now the nights will start getting longer...
ReplyDeletePerhaps if we don't think about it it won't happen!
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ReplyDeleteA good solstice to you Sue. The years seems so brief now but the regularity of our relationship with the sun and moon still goes on.
I saw that CADW had opened that burial chamber specially for this and back in April, had contemplated a trip up and an overnight stay, but didn't do anything about it (typical me). I should seize the day really and not let life drift by . . .
ReplyDeleteAt least this year we can almost be guaranteed a dry dawn, a bonus for all the Druids.
ReplyDeleteWe'll be celebrating with Cork Poppers. And it's going to be super hot -- 90s F tomorrow. I'd love to be around for one of those traditional celebrations.
ReplyDeleteLong summer days are lovely, and the daylight is wonderful. Summer has definitely brought high temperatures, yesterday rose to 90 degrees F. Today is to be as hot.
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