Sizzling Summer Solstice

The Summer Solstice is the longest day and the shortest night of the year. It is celebrated all over the world, its origins going back as far as pre-christian times. Festivals are held on or right around this date with bonfires and activities. Midsummers Eve is the greatest of festival of the year next to Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. I am going to mention a few Countries and their way of celebrating the Summer Solstice and maybe u can add some of these traditions to ur own. :)

Austria:

Each year a procession of ships floats down the Danube River. Approximately 30 ships attend. Fireworks are set off from the banks and from the hilltops. Bonfires are lit and lights from the vineyards glow. This parade of ships lasts about 90 minutes.

Bulgaria:

The day is called Enyovden. A fire ritual is done which involves dancing on embers barefooted. Anyone seeing the sun rise on this day will be healthy throughout the year. Herbs have the greatest power at sunrise and are to be harvested during this time for the best benefit.

Denmark:

They celebrate the evening before the actual date. The day is marked with bonfires on the beach, speeches, picnics and traditional songs. Remembrance of witch burnings were also noted.

Iran: The Summer Solstice there coincides with other festivals. Fires are lit and much thanks to God for his blessings and for the crops abundance are highly regarded. Praying for peace of the souls of the dead are murmured. Harvesting is done around this time. newly wed couples who have married in the past year, are given white horses to ride up to the foot of the mountain. As the brides and grooms reach the mountain foot, a yellow cow is set free, as a sign of happiness and abundance for the new couples.

Jersey:

Horns or conch shells were blown on this day. Also, ringing a huge brass preserving pan was to frighten away evil spirits.

Here are some wonderful ways u can celebrate the Summer Solstice:

+ Host a bonfire. Stay up late with ur family and friends and bring out the sparklers. Make an offering to the Gods/Goddeses of ur religion. Have fun and make up a ritual dance of ur own!

+ Get back into nature with a nice hike. Take pictures and have fun planning a scavenger hunt the whole group will be excited to do. If ur alone, theres nothing better than meditating in nature!

+ Do a sun dance or a spiritual dance! U can raise a lot of energy AND burn calories at the same time, its a win win, lol . :)

+ Volunteer or donate the old. Get out there and organize a garage sale for ur family and friends or ur neighborhood. Get ur family and friends involved in a neighborhood cleanup.

+ Go ahead, grab a blanket and a great book and head to the nearest park.

+ Celebrate being a family, head to the museum, a ball park, or the zoo.

+ Spend the day cleaning ur house or host a bbq for ur family and friends. Add outdoor games like horseshoes, ladder golf or volley ball. Dont forget the watermelon!

I hope U all have a great Solstice and continue any of these ideas throughout the days of summer! Have fun my smexy peeps! -Muah-