In celebration of the Summer Solstice, Reyka Vodka is bringing the Icelandic concept of sólarfrí stateside by encouraging overworked Americans to actually use their paid time off and enjoy a proper Summer Solstice Sólarfrí. In Icelandic, the word sólarfrí directly translates to “sun vacation,” a term that is used to describe unexpected time off to enjoy a sunny, warm day - an important concept in a country that is plunged into darkness for most of winter. KOA, or Kampgrounds of America, also has many Michigan locations close to the lake with cabins to rent and fun activities offered for all ages such as mini golf, bike riding and more. Most state parks have campground sites and all offer different spots to hike and swim too. Go camping at a local state parkĪn old-fashioned campout is a great way to mark the start of summer, whether you do it right in your backyard or at a nearby private campground. Invite family and friends over to kick off summer together with a small party, s'mores and grilled food. Set up camping chairs, hammocks or spread blankets on the grass and bring out lawn games like cornhole, badminton and croquet for a night that's easy to create for your personal taste. Outdoor fires have been a hallmark of summer solstice celebrations for centuries, signifying a celebration of light, chasing away darkness. If you are ready to mark the solstice, there are lots of great ways to celebrate in Michigan: Host a backyard bonfire However, some still keep the fun alive with special start of summer events. To most Americans now though, these occurrences hold little importance. In England, thousands of Pagans and non-pagans go to places of ancient religious sites such as Stonehenge and Avebury to see the sun rising on the first morning of summer.Īpart from just the large events at major site, many more pagans hold small ceremonies in open spaces, everywhere from gardens to woodlands. When celebrating midsummer, pagans draw on diverse traditions. The summer solstice is often paired with Midsummer Day since the celebrations are around the same time. Midsummer, however, mainly marks the midpoint of the growing season and consists of larger celebrations that include dancing and other festivities. This is a time to celebrate growth and life, but for pagans, who see balance in the world and are deeply aware of the ongoing shifting of the seasons, it is also time to acknowledge that the sun will now begin to decline once more toward winter. More: These 8 quintessential Michigan festivals are well worth the trip While some have theorized that Stonehenge was the location of prehistoric summer solstice rituals, there’s little archaeological evidence that it was used this way.More: A strawberry supermoon will illuminate the skies this week. The site is aligned with the direction of the sunrise on the summer solstice. The orientation of some archaeological structures are thought to reflect ancient observations of the summer solstice.įrom the view of the Sphinx, the sun sets squarely between the Great Pyramids of Khufu and Khafre on Egypt’s Giza plateau on the summer solstice.Īrcheologists have long debated the purpose and uses of Stonehenge, a Neolithic megalith monument in the south of England. Other summer solstice traditions hold that the ashes from a Midsummer bonfire can protect one from misfortune or that the ashes-when spread across one’s garden-will bring a bountiful harvest. John’s Wort, because of its association with St. One of the most powerful of these plants was known as ‘chase devil.’ Today it’s called St. During Vestalia, married women could enter the temple of Vesta and leave offerings to the goddess in exchange for blessings for their families. In the days leading up to the summer solstice, the ancient Romans celebrated Vestalia, a religious festival in honor of Vesta, goddess of the hearth. The Greeks’ strict social code was temporarily turned on its head during Kronia, with slaves participating in the merriment as equals or even being served by their masters. Kronia, a festival celebrating Cronus, the god of agriculture, was also held around this time. The summer solstice also marked the one-month countdown to the opening of the Olympic games. Solstice in Ancient CulturesĪccording to some ancient Greek calendars, the summer solstice marked the start of the New Year. John’s Day to commemorate the birth of John the Baptist. Wiccans and other Neopagan groups call it Litha, while some Christian churches recognize the summer solstice as St. In Northern Europe, it’s often referred to as Midsummer. Different cultures and religious traditions have different names for the summer solstice.
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