measi's Diaryland Diary ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Blessed Midsummer... Today is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hempisphere. For me, as well as hundreds of thousands of other practicing Pagans around the northern hemisphere, it is also a solar celebration known as Litha or Midsummer. For those in the southern hemisphere, it's the Winter Solstice, also known as Yule. But wait! You say... today's the FIRST day of summer... so how could it be called MIDsummer. Well... that's because the Pagan holidays are named using the old Celtic calendar... which divides the year a little differently. Winter started at the end of the last harvest on Samhain (New Year's Day), known today as Halloween. Summer started on Beltane, known today as May Day. The soltices and equinoxes actually were the midpoint of each season (rather than the start of them as we mark them today). The "cross-quarters," as they are called, marked the beginning of the seasons... and in a way make a bit more sense. First harvests start in August-- marked and celebrated on Lughnasadh on August 2nd. The beginning of spring was celebrated once it was evident that the days were starting to get longer--and was celebrated as a festival of lights, known today as Imbolc or Candlemas. Since it is six weeks before the equinox... it's taken on a secular meaning for Americans as... Groundhog's Day. But anyway... I digress. Today, being the longest day of the year, is a great time to have a picnic, celebrate summer's warmth, and the beauty of Nature in its full summer bloom. Go out... have a BBQ... enjoy yourself! And if you're up for it, a certain Shakespearean play is a great way to celebrate, too. :) Bright Blessings, Mel. 12:00 p.m. - 21 June 2001 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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