Summer Solstice: Mystical or Scientific?

Is the summer solstice just a ritual associated with paganism or is it an event important to human existence?

Oh, sunny day! The summer solstice is here (at least in the northern hemisphere). Today, June 20, 2025, will have the most hours of sunlight in the entire year. Is that a psychic prediction on my part? No. It's simple science.

I love mystical and magical things, and I write a blog on folklore. The last thing I want is to be pedantic. But I feel it's important to separate fact from misconceptions. There is a public perception that the summer solstice (in particular) is a day originating in paganism or associated with witchcraft. This perception stems from celebrations of the day by neo-pagan and Wiccan groups.

The truth is that solstices and equinoxes have been treated as days of special religious and / or spiritual significance within many cultures, including that of the ancient Celts. And that's actually fantastic as well as appropriate because what happens on solstices and equinoxes is really amazing. These events affect our lives as humans--whether we're aware of it or not--in major ways.

My issue with these days being associated with paganism in broad public perception is that the equinoxes and solstices often are shunted aside as nothing more than superstition. Instead, however, they are actual astronomical events that--again--impact our lives on earth. They are about how much sunlight we have during the course of each year. Think about that: how much sunlight we do or don't have. That's a pretty major thing! I'm not talking about whether it's a good day to go to the beach. I'm talking about seasons, temperatures, and crops.

And that's why ancient cultures celebrated these days. The Celts and many other peoples were attuned to the seasons, to the times for sowing and the times to harvest, and to how much daylight was available to get work done during the day.

So, how does the summer solstice fit into all of this? As we all know, the earth orbits the sun. But it also tilts. And that tilt towards or away from the sun is crucial. At the summer solstice (June 20-22, depending on the year), the northern hemisphere is in full tilt towards the sun. That's why sunlight is abundant--and why temperatures are warm.

After the solstice, the northern hemisphere will start ever-so-slowly tilting away from the sun. The days will grow shorter, the nights longer, and temperatures will drop, causing summer to become autumn, and then winter. Thankfully, then the winter solstice will happen (between December 20-23), and the tilt will reverse, leading to spring and then back to summer.

The southern hemisphere experiences the same thing each year, only during the opposite dates. So, for people in that part of the world, today is the winter solstice.

Now, that I've gone through a brief bit of the science, I will contend that the summer solstice, while it is a natural astronomic event, also is mystical and magical. It is awe-inspiring that the solstices occur each year and usher in the seasons like clockwork. And it is terrifying to reflect on what would happen if the solstices stopped occurring. Today is a good day to stop and reflect on all the "natural" things that happen that enable us to continue to exist. Being mindful is a good spiritual practice. Today is also a good day to express gratitude to whoever or whatever you consider to be your Higher Power.

Today's post is just a bit of a reflection. So, how did the ancient Celts view and celebrate the solstices? Find out by clicking the links below.

Basking in the Summer Solstice: Celtic Folklore Traditions

A look at the believes and folklore practices associated with the summer solstice in Celtic tradition.

It is an excellent time to pick herbs either for medicine or magic because on the solstice plants, according to folklore, are filled with light energy.

Winter Solstice: the Darkest Day's Celtic Hope

Of course I didn't forget you, my friends in the southern hemisphere. This one's for you. Happy winter solstice!

The ancient Celts also took hope from evergreens which, at the Winter Solstice, they brought into the house. Because these plants stay green, fresh, and hearty throughout the winter while other plants and trees looked dead, the Celts believed they contained powerful magic. They brought the plants indoors in the hope that that magic would rub off on the people in the house, helping them survive the winter too.

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All artwork for this post (except for the Ukranian flag and the GIF) by Christine Dorman via Bing Image Creator.

Slán go fóill

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