The shore refers to the coast, an area where the worlds of land, water and sky meet - as Druidry valued places of in-between worlds. Since the Celtic year was based on both lunar and solar cycles, it is possible that the holiday was celebrated on the full moon nearest the midpoint between the spring equinox and the summer solstice.
It is the turning point of the year when the sunshines longest. Our ancestors saw this key turning point… Our ancestors saw this key turning point… This is a time of year of brightness and warmth. Oxford University Press, 1998. While there's scholarly evidence to indicate that it was indeed observed, there were suggestions made by Summer solstice celebrations have been held throughout history. They used ‘Natural Time’ taking their lead from the Solstices and Equinoxes to determine the seasons. In early versions of Wiccan literature the festival is referred to as August Eve. The Lost Kingdom of The Britons in Scotland Comments Off on The Lost Kingdom of The Britons in Scotland. All Rights Reserved. She is the author of Daily Spellbook for the Good Witch, Wicca Practical Magic and The Daily Spell Journal. Farm workers were usually paid for their year’s labor at Christmas, giving them reason to celebrate and three months rest before the next season. Bealtaine is a cross-quarter day, marking the midpoint in the Sun's progress between the spring equinox and summer solstice. It’s also known as Midsummer, or Midsommar if you’re up for joining a Scandinavian cult. For example, in France she was For an illustrated look at the connection between the Summer Solstice and its Celtic traditions; see the below infographic which has been created by Litha has often been a source of contention among modern Pagan and Wiccan groups, because there's always been a question about whether or not Midsummer was truly celebrated by the ancients. Patti Wigington is a pagan author, educator, and licensed clergy. Last Saturday evening witnessed the apogee of the summer solstice in Ireland, leading to this description of its cultural significance by a regular guest contributor on the RTÉ website. The most famous is the passage tomb at Newgrange which is filled with the light of the rising sun on the morning of the winter solstice. It honored the Celtic …
... Winter and Summer. The summer solstice, or Alban Heruin, was the longest day of the year. Read more: Summer solstice celebrated at Hill of Tara and around the country Lughnasa. People across the world will mark the event in various ways. The Life and Legacy of Saint Columba Comments Off on The Life and Legacy of Saint Columba. It was the time when the night became longer than the day, the last apples were picked, and the year began again with its dark winter half. 21 st New Moon (12:42 AM, MST) Litha, meaning light, is a festival dedicated to the life-giving, regenerative powers of the sun. Source: "Cernunnos" A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. The ancient Celtic festival acts as a timely reminder and celebration of who, where and what we really are. The ancient Celtic festival acts as a timely reminder and celebration of who, where and what we really are. The spring and fall equinoxes and of course the shortest and longest days of the year held particular significance.In Christian times, Midsummer’s Eve is celebrated as Saint John’s Eve, but in Pagan Ireland the solstice was dedicated to the Goddess Traditionally bonfires were lit in celebration atop the sacred hills of Ireland, the most important being on The Hill of Tara, the ancient seat of the High Kings of Ireland.Throughout Ireland are a scattering of megalithic monuments which are aligned with the solar cycle. The Celtic rituals merged easily with the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus. The summer solstice was one of 8 Celtic festivals celebrated throughout the year.The summer solstice was seen as a time to banish evil spirits, through the light of the sun. Epona
They would pray for a good harvest, as it was halfway through the growing season. For people in Scandinavian countries and in the farther reaches of the Northern hemisphere, Midsummer was very important. 11 Jun.