Summer Solstice

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If the day is warm, there's nothing nicer than a glass of traditional lemonade.

Summer Solstice is the first day of Summer, astronomically speaking, when 'the sun stops'. Druids celebrate by greeting the sunrise at Stonehenge, but visitors are no longer permitted and a "security fence" was installed at the instigation of the Prime Minister of the time, Margaret Thatcher. This act is in contravention of international Human Rights legislation on freedom of religion (which unfortunately had not been ratified in the UK at that time).

In Cornwall and across Britain, a chain of hilltop bonfires is lit to greet the sun and discourage the spirits of the dark.

Although some still celebrate Midsummer Day on 24th June, it is now almost universally celebrated on or around 21st June each year in the Northern hemisphere (21st December in the Southern). Some Wiccans and other Neopagans use the name Litha, derived from Bede’s "De Tempore Rationum".

Many pagans of various persuasions view Summer Solstice (along with Winter Solstice) as one of the most important events of the year, and make a point of getting together with family and friends to celebrate, often outdoors.

Celebration of midsummer takes place in many countries and stems from ancient times with the solstice celebration itself dating from Neolithic times. In many places the pre-Christian concept that day commences at sunset prevails, and so Midsummer’s Eve takes on additional significance.

In some parts of the world the day is related to the Feast of St John The Baptist celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church on 24th June (in most of these places this is a Christianisation of earlier celebrations).

Traditions around the world differ greatly, often linked to local legend and history. In the UK some of the old traditions, such as the lighting of bonfires, have been revived, but the most significant celebrations continue to be in Sweden, where they involve such things as dancing around a Maypole, eating the first potatoes, pickled herring, soured cream and strawberries of the year, and (for some) the excessive drinking of alcohol.

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