Summer Celebrations

The season of Summer invariably evokes a myriad of images and associations.

Nature in full bloom bursting with verdant hues and bright colours, sunny days and soaring temperatures, the scent of newly cut grass and freshly turned soil.

Less and lighter clothing, trips to the beach, a vacation or holiday, travel, outdoor activities, weddings, gatherings of family and friends.

Many of the present associations and activities originated in ancient times and have been retained throughout man's history to the present.

In the Northern Hemisphere, Summer occurs on or about June 21-23; (in the Southern Hemisphere, December 21-23). The first day of Summer, traditionally observed on June 21 (December 21) is characterized by having the longest day and the shortest night of the year. Every succeeding day and night after, the day grows shorter and the night lengthens until the onset of Autumn.

People all over the world associate certain traditional religious or spiritual rites and gatherings along with the secular gatherings with regard to Summer. This was especially true from the ancient standpoint. As societies and communities were primarily agricultural, Summer was a particularly joyous time of the year as it brought two of the most important aspects necessary to human survival: warmth and more food. They learned from trial and error; experience and observation: of nature, the forest creatures, the sky and the heavenly bodies and the weather ... long before scientific methods were discovered.

Life activities were based on the passage of the Sun and/or the Moon, from which the primitive yet efficient beginnings of a calendar system were begun. There is, however, impressive archeological and above-ground evidence that there was an advanced knowledge practiced at times which belies what appears as being primitive, such as was employed in the building of immense ancient structures. Of note are the pyramids in Egypt, South America and China, a temple in Palestine, and Stonehenge in England. Based on the mathematical features of those structures, they are thought to be the work of Sun worshippers, and intended to track the path of the Sun as well as to serve as the locations of spiritual activities.

Thus those first ancient societies who were nature-based or of Pagan traditions relied upon careful planning of their resources, because their very survival and propagation as a species depended on the timeliness of their activities. These activities gravitated around, and in accordance with, the seasons of the year, the Moon phases and the path of the Sun, and were further observed by seasonal or harvest festivities.

These ways were, and still are, practiced by many cultures, particularly in the planting and harvesting of crops and the nurturing of the livestock during the year. The lack of preparation would be exacerbated during Winter, when conditions are harsh and unforgiving of any lapses. How well the people fared depended on the results of their crops, the storage of foodstuffs and access to water, hunting and/or fishing.

Pre-Christian-Judeo spiritual practices celebrated the Summer Solstice, (also known by various names such as Litha or Midsummer, amongst others), as the time between the planting and the harvesting of crops. The belief was that through the blessings representing the timely intervention of unseen higher forces, their own efforts were sustained in their struggles for physical survival. From the various ancient Celtic, Germanic and Slavic tribes to those of ancient Rome, and even in ancient China, the celebration of Summer Solstice or Midsummer was observed to give thanks for the blessings of their deities.

After the hard work in Spring of seeding and planting crops, the people welcomed a break to enjoy the fruit of their labors. In some traditions, the element of fire was a prominent feature, symbolic of life, creativity and power, so the occasion was celebrated with ritual bonfires that burned into the night. (Similar to the candles and fires lit during the Pagan/Wiccan Sabbat of Imbolc or Candlemas, also known by other names, in early February).

Midsummer represented the official return of light and life to the earth after the absence of light during Winter months. Fire also served as sympathetic magick to ensure the life of the Sun, representative of the male deity or God during the growing season, for a productive harvest. It was also considered to be a most auspicious time for the workings of magick and divination. Flowers and foliage were used to decorate, and plentiful food and drink were representative of, and in honor of, the abundance to be found in living harmoniously with nature and with the gods.

Based on the Pagan/Wiccan view of the union of the God and the Goddess at Beltane in early May, June was a popular month for weddings and has remained so to the present time. The full moon of June is known as the Honey Moon, believed to be the best time to gather honey. Honey was used in the foods and refreshments served for the benefit of the wedding couple to ensure love and fertility. Thus, the custom of the couple's “honeymoon” following their wedding has its origins in the month of the Honey Moon.

The Jewish celebration of Shavuot, whose meaning is “Feast of the Weeks” can be traced to biblical times. It is a harvest festival of thanksgiving, taking place about seven weeks after Passover (which is in close proximity to the Christian holiday of Easter and the Pagan/Wiccan of Ostara/Oestre) and falls between late May to mid-June. It is also associated with the time when the Israelites received the Torah, the Jewish book of scripture which contains the first five books of the Old Testament of the bible that form the basis for the Jewish religion, and when Moses received the Ten Commandments from God. The consumption of dairy foods and honey is based on a passage from the Torah that refers to the Israelites being given "...a land flowing with milk and honey." Another tradition is based on the legend of the people finding Mount Sinai covered with flowers and foliage which was considered a sign, in view of its arid terrain. Henceforth, they decorated their homes and temples in like fashion.

With the advent of Christianity throughout much of Europe, the focus was drawn away from Pagan celebrations and traditions. The oldest known Christian celebration during Summer is the Feast of St. John the Baptist on June 24, in honor of the prophet who was the forerunner of Jesus and his teachings. John preached of repentance for the "remission of sins" and the ultimate rule of God over the earth and all of its inhabitants. Interestingly, this occasion is observed a few days after the Summer Solstice, similarly to the observance of Christmas on December 25, a few days after the Winter Solstice. One can conjecture that the Christian observances were based on the antecedent Pagan/Wiccan traditions, due to the many parallel celebrations or holidays.

Although much of the fore-mentioned practices may seem to be steeped in superstition, the fact is much of what the ancient peoples established in the traditions of Summer (and for other times of the year) stands as significant endeavors to live harmoniously with one's environment. They speak towards practical living as well as offering the reiterating theme of balance: a time to work, a time to play and a time to give thanks.

Summer offers opportunities, not readily available at other times, to focus on the basics: back to nature to appreciate the abundance in the natural order of things and the cycle of life which reflects that of the microcosm within the macrocosm in a smaller way, in the individual life.

By MeeWah Reynolds