Christine Whelan FEO, June 9, 2022, VOL. 3 ISSUE 21

The summer solstice is when the sun is its furthest away from the equator, making it the longest day of the year. It has been marked as the high point of summer – or midsummer – since the Neolithic era.

The word “solstice” comes from the Latin words sol “sun” and sistere “to stand still.”

On the summer solstice, the sun’s path stops advancing northward each day and appears to “stand still” in the sky before going back the other way.

The longest day has been marked in different ways over the years and has its own set of customs. Some are based on practical needs. Others originate from spiritual and superstitious beliefs.

The solstice, this year, is on Tuesday, June 21, 2022. It happens at the same instant for all of us, everywhere on earth, our clocks will just be different.

After a winter spent indoors and isolated, the beginning of summer holds an extra celebration for us this year. We daydreamed about the great outdoors, the sun, the warmth, and connecting with nature and community, crucial for post pandemic rehabilitation — it’s about being alive.

It’s about getting that fabulous dose of serotonin, one of our wonderful “happiness chemicals” our own bodies can create all on their own, just add sunlight.

It’s a time to get out and connect with others in a variety of different ways, ways we no longer will take for granted. It’s a time to get our creative juices on and find our own personal ways to express ourselves outdoors, combining naturally some well-needed physical exercise.

Stories and Traditions in History

Research shows that people in the Middle East already registered the date of the summer solstice 11,000 years ago. It’s also been found that the ancient and now rather famous site, Stonehenge, a neolithic megalithic monument in the south of England is connected to the significance of this date, going back at least 5,000 years. Archeologists have long debated the purpose and use of Stonehenge. The site is aligned with the direction of the sunrise on the summer solstice.

In Northern and Central European Neolithic cultures, the summer solstice may have been related to the timings of crop cycles. It was typically marked by Celtic, Slavic and Germanic people by lighting bonfires, intended to boost the sun’s strength for the remainder of the crop season and ensure a healthy harvest.

The solstice was particularly important in Nordic communities, where seasonal changes in sunlight are dramatic. The Vikings used the long days to maximize their productivity by hunting, settling disputes and conducting raids.

Following the establishment of the Christian Church, solstice celebrations were combined with St John’s Day, commemorating St John the Baptist. In the 19th century, Christians used St John’s Day to act out the baptisms of children who had died as ‘pagans’.

Many Native American tribes took part in solstice rituals, some of which are still practiced today. The Sioux, for instance, performed a ceremonial sun dance around a tree while wearing symbolic colors.

Many cultures still celebrate the summer solstice. Midsummer festivities are especially popular across Europe, from the North Cape all the way to the south of Spain, where bonfires are ignited, girls wear flowers in their hair and homes are decorated with garlands and other greenery.

Family Activities to Celebrate Solstice

Some groups and families have their own traditions during this special time of year. Some may decide this year to step up to the summer solstice scene for the first time, in the interest of post pandemic rehabilitation and reawakening from winter’s slumber.

Here’s a list of options, from morning to night, to get you started. Feel free, of course, to add anything that draws your attention:

Wake up early to watch the sunrise. As many of our community have found a passion for, taking photos and posting online, sharing with others.

Bury negatives. Have you been struggling with something, like a habit you want to leave behind? Write down any behaviours or experiences you want to put behind you and bury them. Use the solstice as a restart button.

Brainstorm a summer bucket, or adventure, list for yourself, with a friend or family. What could you add to the list to make this summer exciting?

Get your hands dirty and embrace the earth. Consider planting in your vegetable garden for a fall harvest or add to your flower garden to mark the occasion. No yard? How about getting creative with a patio garden?

Visit a local sundial or make your own sundial out of rocks and a stick and learn how to use the sun and shadows to tell time.

Go on a summer solstice nature walk. The solstice falls on a Tuesday, a big adventure might be out of the question, but a stroll around your neighborhood or local park is definitely doable. Waverly Woods seems perfect, doesn’t it? Trees and waters are ready to please your senses.

Collect fresh midsummer herbs. Gathering fresh herbs is a midsummer tradition that continues to this day. Gather fresh herbs that are growing in your yard, nearby nature or farmers’ market. Remember to harvest herbs safely and sustainably, especially from wild places.

Midsummer herbs are: chamomile, lavender, fennel, mint, elderflower, raspberry leaf, rose, rosemary, sage, thyme, yarrow

Things you can do with herbs:

• Tie herbs in a bundle and hang them to dry.
• Make your own herbal tea blends.
• Soak herbs in oils for salves or cooking.
• Make herbal vinegar or herb infused syrups.

Involve water in your ritual. To mark the arrival of summer, take a dip in the pool or have a beach day. Or how about a family water gun or water balloon battle? Your willingness to embrace a little mess may be a signal that a more relaxed summer is here.

Go sunbathing in your yard, beach or park for 10 to 30 minutes. If the sun’s UV levels are high, cover up or wear some non-toxic sunscreen.

Make flower crowns together. Flower crowns are a popular midsummer tradition in Europe and Scandinavian countries. Spend some time making flower crowns with your family and/or friends using whatever materials you have on hand.

While you are outside, find a nice sitting spot and use all your senses to notice how nature looks, sounds, smells, feels and tastes on the summer solstice.

Create sun-inspired art. Celebrate the sun and get messy with some child-friendly sun-inspired art.

Eat a seasonal summer feast. Invite family and friends over for a solstice summer feast, or enjoy a simple picnic at the park. Be inspired by all the wonderful seasonal produce that is making its way to farmers’ markets and grocery stores.

Time for the star player to take the stage. Sit somewhere special and enjoy the beauty of the sunset.

Gather around a bonfire with friends. Bonfires are a hallmark of summer solstice celebrations. Tell stories, sing songs, and just enjoy being together again.

Stay up late and stargaze. Borrow a book from the library to help determine what you see or use a star-finding app.

Happy Summer Solstice, Fort Erie!

We are blessed with the location we live in. We have everything we need to celebrate. We are, after all, famous for it, right?

PHOTO of sunset provided by Allan Hackett