The festival of Summer Solstice, Midsummer or Litha [Wicca],
celebrates the temporary "standing still" of the sun. It is the
longest day of the year and the time when the sun is at its maximum
elevation.

More about the astronomical aspects of Summer Solstice can be found
here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/space/solarsystem/earth/solsticescience.shtml

Spiritual (Life Force) implications of Summer Solstice
---------------------------------------------------------
The Summer Solstice has had spiritual significance for thousands of
years as humans have been spellbound by the great power of the sun to
influence their life, crops, health etc. Our Celt ancestors
celebrated with bonfires that would add to the sun's energy,
Christians placed the feast of St John the Baptist towards the end of
June and it is also the festival of Li, the Chinese Goddess of light.

Pagan spiritual traditions, being rooted in agriculture and nature,
have always held the sun in awe and have not surprisingly connected
it with the divine powers that create life. In the Celtic pagan
tradition, the Goddess took over the earth from the horned God at the
beginning of spring and at the Summer Solstice she reaches the height
of her power and fertility. For some Pagans the Summer Solstice marks
the marriage of the God and Goddess and see their union as the force
that creates the harvest's fruits.

This is a time to celebrate growth and life, and also a time to
realise that this is the time when the "seed" of winter short days
and long nights begins to germinate - and there is a challenge to
make the most of these long days while they last, and in the
background prepare for and accept what our ancestors called
the "Wheel of the Year".

A Summer Solstice blessing...

As the sun spirals its longest dance,
Cleanse us
As nature shows bounty and fertility
Bless us
Let all things live with loving intent
And fulfill their truest destiny

[from www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/paganism/holydays/summersolstice.shtml]

Summer Solstice Celebration in Cambridge
----------------------------------------
Whatever your spiritual affiliation you are welcome to join the
annual Summer Solstice circle dance at Cherry Hinton Park (i.e.
Cherry Hinton Hall Grounds - near the duck pond, from the car park go
obliquely to your right, keeping the hall on your left, bend round to
the left past the hall and over the little bridge), Cherry Hinton Rd,
Cambridge, tomorrow Thursday, 21st June at 6.30am (YES 6.30am before
going to your tasks for the day!).

NO knowledge of circle dancing is required, the simple steps will be
demonstrated and musical accompaniment provided (with amazing
contributions from the local birdlife too). Last about 1 hour,
followed by a shared breakfast, if you have time to stay, and yet
more dancing after breakfast if you should still feel not yet quite
ready to face the day. Bring a little something to eat or drink to
share if you are staying for breakfast, plus SOME INSECT REPELLENT TO
WEAR - we will be adjacent to trees and water.

This is a lovely annual Cambridge ritual with very friendly folk - do
join us if you can, it is of course absolutely free and well worth
the effort of getting up early, Cherry Hinton Park is incredibly
beautiful at this time on Summer Solstice morning. This year we will
be doing my personal favourite (and very ancient roots) circle
dance "The Mystic Spiral"...

Come dance the mystic spiral
Come dance the dance with me
With every step revitalise
The flowers plants and trees
The earth is very ancient
Her origins unknown
So dance the mystic spiral
And scatter the seeds of time
Our magic is our give away, Our magic is our song
So give away your love today and sing the whole day long


I have just checked the 24 hour forecast for 6.30-7am tomorrow in Cambridge and
we are promised "Sunny 14 degC".

Summer Solstice Blessings to Everyone!
Mike