Having looked at the wall calendar, we can make a small conclusion that there are quite a lot of holidays in the year. They are different in their purpose, but equally important to a certain category of people. In this article, I would like to talk about the summer solstice: what kind of day is it, how to celebrate it correctly and what to remember.
What is this?
Before you know when the days of the summer solstice fall, you should understand the concept itself. So, the term "solstice" already carries certain information. However, not everyone can fully understand everything. On the day of the summer solstice, this celestial body describes the largest radius in the Northern Hemisphere of the Earth. It is worth saying that this action leads to the fact that on this day the interval between sunrise and sunset is as large as possible. Important is the information that in the Southern Hemisphere everything happens exactly the opposite.
About date
When is the summer solstice? This question worries and interests quite a large number of people. Yes, it's worthsay that almost always it is June 21st. However, there is a caveat: since there is a leap year every four years, these dates can shift slightly. So, when exactly is the summer solstice (2014)? This year it's June 21st. But, for example, in 2012 it came on June 20, the same will happen in 2016.
Winter-summer
When figuring out when the days of the summer solstice, it is worth remembering that there are also days of the winter solstice. In this case, the day is the shortest (the smallest time distance between sunrise and sunset), and the Sun describes an arc of minimum radius. In winter it is December 21 or 22 (when the day is the smallest and the night is the longest). It is not difficult to guess why some people believe that June 22 is the day of the summer solstice. It is rather not a day, but a night, i.e. end of the summer solstice. Both dates are correct by definition, because this action does not happen overnight.
What's going on?
Having sorted out the dates and determined the days of the summer solstice, it is worth telling a little about what happens on this day. So, the Sun reaches its highest point and it is believed that summer is coming. Although this statement is false. The heavenly body on this day reaches the middle of the path along the ecliptic (between the points of the autumn and spring equinoxes), so it would be more literate to say that this is already the middle of summer, and not its beginning. The following fact will be interesting: on these days the Earth is facing the Sun with the North Pole, thereforethe inhabitants of this region are light the whole day (polar day). This is possible due to the fact that the Sun does not set at all above latitude 66.5°; does not hide behind the horizon. At this time, you can not use lighting fixtures there at all. However, the flow of time on such days is perceived quite hard (especially for a person who is not used to this). The South Pole is also experiencing polar night (24/7 darkness) at the same time, which is the opposite of what is described above.
Spring and summer
Having studied the days of the winter and summer solstices, it is also worth mentioning that there are also days of the spring and autumn equinoxes. These dates are interesting in that here the day and night are equal in time to each other. Regarding the dates: in the spring it happens on March 20, in the fall on September 22 or 23.
About traditions
Having figured out that June 21 (22) is the day of the summer solstice, it is worth saying that this holiday was celebrated at all times (even regardless of the person's religiosity). So, in ancient times this day was called Solstice or Solstice. This is the old Russian name for the modern day of the solstice, when the day meant the turn of the heavenly body to decline or profit. It will be interesting that in the days of Ancient Russia this holiday was celebrated as the birthday of the Sun.
What is happening at this time?
It is worth mentioning that many people believed that on the days of the summer solstice the line betweenearthly and otherworldly. On this day, reality and dreams are mixed together, forming a magical tandem. It has always been believed (and even now this knowledge has not been lost) that on the day before the summer solstice the world is full of magic and great power. Therefore, at this time, everyone collected medicinal herbs, tried to cleanse themselves both physically and mentally. At the same time, it was also believed that this time - when the Sun is at its highest point - is the moment of the greatest good not only for man, but also for nature. This is a kind of rise, rise, peak, which concerns everything that exists on Earth.
Mystic
As you could already understand, the day of the summer solstice is a holiday rather than the body, but the soul of a person. At the same time, it is also a day of fertility, the triumph of nature, abundance. As for people, this is a time of generosity, happiness, when you can feel the fullness of life. It is also worth considering this day from a mystical point of view. It combines all four elements - Water, Fire, Earth and Air. The spirits responsible for these elements at this time invariably have fun and rejoice in everything together with people. That is why all the elements are involved in various ceremonies and rituals that are carried out precisely on the days of the summer solstice.
About countries
It is worth mentioning that the day of the summer solstice (2014 is the year or some other) is celebrated in many countries of the world. So, in the days of Ancient Russia, Ivan Kupala Day was celebrated at that time, in Latvia it is Ligo Day (one of the brightest holidays celebrated in thiscountry), in Estonia it is Janov's Day. In Poland, this holiday is called Sobotki, in Belarus - Kupala, in Ukraine - Kupailo. And although the names sometimes differ, the essence of the holiday remains the same.
What to do?
What is the best way to celebrate the summer solstice? Of course, go to nature, closer to the water. There will already be earth and air, there should also be no problems with fire, an ordinary fire will be enough. The following point will be important: the main goal of the summer solstice is to teach people to enjoy life, everything around. At the same time, knowledgeable people will say that on these days from all four elements, you can easily recharge your batteries with energy, which is enough for a whole year. It is also believed that the night of the summer solstice is great for love. If a woman has problems with fertility, a guy has problems with male power, the couple just needs to make love in nature, while not embarrassing to run naked through the morning dew. This will give not only sexual energy, but also make it possible to conceive and bear he althy offspring in love.
About traditions
It is worth remembering that the day of the summer solstice is considered magical. This is the day when magic is so close to people that it can be used without problems. So, what ancient rites can still be available today?
- The rite of purification. This will require a fire. To cleanse not only the body, but also the soul, before the holiday itself, you need to take a good bath. Everything else will take place inmoment of celebration. So, to cleanse the soul, you will need to jump over the fire. It was believed that if a person succeeds in everything, then the spirits forgive him for his faults. If a person burned, took care of, or fell into a fire, his sins are too heavy to be forgiven like that. Later, for fun, young people began to jump in pairs. If during the jump the guy and the girl did not open their hands, no one cared, the couple would be together for many more years. Another belief: the higher a person jumps over the fire, the more successful his year will be. Water also has a cleansing power on this day. Be sure to swim in the river to wash away all ailments and diseases. At the same time, at least three times you need to immerse yourself in water with your head.
- Rite of protection. So, at this time it was necessary to collect medicinal herbs. At the same time, on the day of the summer solstice, all of them acquired tremendous healing power. And if you pick and plug it into your belt or put St. John's wort in your pocket, then such a person will be protected from evil spirits for a whole year.
- Rite of fertility. It is worth mentioning that during the celebration of the summer solstice it was customary to kindle several bonfires. One of them necessarily had a symbolic meaning. In its middle, a wheel was installed on poles, which symbolized the sun. And the brighter and better this wheel burned, the greater the harvest will be this year.
- The ritual of finding a life partner. On the day of the summer solstice, the girls had to weave wreaths (symbols of girlish beauty and purity) and put them on the water. If the wreath washed ashore, another year to walk in the girls. If some guypulled a wreath out of the water, to be with his mistress all his life.
- Divination. On this day, it is also customary to guess, that is, to predict your life. This is especially true for girls who told fortunes about their beloved, love and marriage.
- Search for secret knowledge. And, of course, the well-known rite - the search for a fern flower. The one who found it acquired not only untold riches, but also sacred world knowledge.
Where to go?
As mentioned above, on this day it is best to go to nature (even without arranging lush festivities). However, the most suitable place for this is Arkaim. It is customary to celebrate the summer solstice there, observing all traditions. What will happen in this wonderful Ural town?
- Bathing in the Bolshaya Karaganka River (compliance with the ritual of cleansing, healing the body).
- Climbing the Mount of Repentance. In this place, people ask for forgiveness for their sins from the gods (God), their ancestors and spirits (all according to the faith of man).
- Visit the mountains of Love and Desire. There, people ask to send them love, to strengthen their feelings for a loved one, and this is also a place where it is customary to voice their desires, asking the gods for their fulfillment.
- Climbing the Mount of Reason. They say that there is a special energy that enlightens a person.
- Visit the Mount of Seven Seals. It is believed that there the so-called “third eye” opens in a person, which shows the way to the world of magic and otherworldly power.
What elsecan provide visitors with Arkaim? The summer solstice will definitely be unforgettable there. Indeed, in addition to all the visits described above, the organizers of the holiday always offer tourists participation in various ceremonies and rituals, which in itself is not only useful, but also very interesting.
Simple conclusions
Having figured out when exactly the day of the summer solstice is (the date is June 21-22), it is worth saying that no matter what faith a person has, it is still necessary to celebrate this day. After all, it is worth remembering the main rule: one who forgets or does not accept the knowledge of his ancestors is simply doomed to illness, various hardships and misfortunes.
