Summer Solstice 2010 Celebrated at Stonehenge
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The summer solstice 2010 has arrived, with kicking off the summer season today at 7:28 am ET. June 21, 2010, as the day in the past has ushered in the summer being one of the longest days of the year, not necessarily the hottest in the Northern Hemisphere.
What is summer solstice?
The north-south axis of the Earth tilts at an angle of 23. 5 degrees towards the sun on this day, resulting in varying amounts of sunlight reach different parts of the planet. On June 21, 2010 the North Pole is tipped towards the sun closer than it would on any other day of the year 2010. On the other hand, the Southern Hemisphere will witness the shortest day of the year – June 21, 2010 being the winter solstice in that part of the world.
On regions that are part of summer solstice, the sun appears at the highest point in the sky at the peak hour of noon, at maximum possible overhead position. It is only people directly on the Tropic of Cancer who would experience the direct overhead position of the sun.
Though we have the summer solstice happening on the same day every year, the date does change sometimes – the summer solstice fell on June 20 in the year 2008. This inconsistency is scientifically explained by the differences in the duration of human calendar year (365 days) and astronomical year (365.25 days). Though we have dealt with the issue by adding one day in the month of February every four years, making our calendars accurate – the fact remains that it does cause a shift in the solstice date.
The fact that the June solstice makes Northern Hemisphere receive the maximum amount of sunlight in the year doesn’t mean the day would be the hottest everywhere. Actually, the earth’s atmosphere as well as oceans absorb the sun’s heat and radiate it back over time. So the large amount of sunshine gets absorbed but is released over many weeks. Consequently, the hottest days of summer in Northern Hemisphere usually fall in the month of July or August.
Ancient Celebrations Triggered Off on Summer Solstice 2010
Over centuries, many cultures all over the globe celebrate this day of the year – the summer solstice. Here’s how:
Austria: Fireworks and bonfire mark the spectacular procession of ships down the river Danube winding its way through the valley of Wachau north of Vienna. The vineyards and the castle are colourfully illuminated as well.
Brazil: Though it is mid-winter in Brazil during June, yet Brazilians celebrate the European summer solstice as the St John’s Day was brought to the land by Portuguese colonizers. On this day every year, Brazilians have a blast with dancing and feasting.
Bulgaria: Bulgarians believe that anyone who looks at the rising sun on solstice day will stay healthy for the entire year. As part of celebrations for what they call Enyovdn, women “enchantresses” gather herbs early in the morning to make cures and charms, for the belief is held that herbs too have the greatest healing powers on the day.
Canada: In Canada, the concept of June solstice celebration was brought by French colonizers. Feasting around bonfires is the way of marking the day in Canada, as at many places across Europe.
Croatia: The midsummer festival is called Ivanje in Croatia. Croatians make the bonfires near rivers or lakes and young people jump over the flames as per tradition.
Denmark: In Denmark, the summer solstice is called Sankt Hans aften (St John’s Eve) which is marked by making bonfires to ward off evil spirits. Traditionally, the bonfires would be placed near the beaches but these days they are made in parks, near lakes and waterways. In mediaeval times, people would collect herbs on this day to be used as cures for the whole year.
Egypt: The ancient Egyptians built the Sphinx and the Pyramids in such a way that on the day of summer solstice, the sun sets exactly in the middle of two of the pyramids, when viewed from the Sphinx.
Finland: The day of summer solstice was dedicated to the Finnish god Ukko, prior to the advent of Christianity on this far-fetched land. The tradition of making bonfires remains the same even now, except that now the holiday pays tribute to John the Baptist. Finnish people also place two young birth trees on either side of the front door of their homes to welcome guests on June solstice. Drinking and sauna on get-togethers is another feature of solstice celebrations in Finland.
France: The feast of St John is marked by bonfires, as is the common practice on June solstice the world over. In mediaeval times, however, there were cat-burning ceremonies also.
Ireland: The many Midsummer carnivals in Ireland consist of concerts, fair and fireworks, usually on the weekend that is closest to the solstice day. Hilltops are the usual spots for lighting solstice bonfires in Ireland.
Jersey: Beating a large pan and blowing conch shells or horns have been traditional Midsummer practices which have become almost extinct now. These rituals were supposed to keep the evil spirits away. Some elements of the rituals are repeated in fold performances to this day.
Latin America: The Incas of Latin America mark this very day by a ritual called Inti Raymi – offering food and animal sacrifices to the sun god.
Latvia: People of Latvia celebrate June solstice with great many traditional touches – eating Janu cheese, singing Latvian folk songs, drinking beer, jumping over bonfires through the night and donning themselves in wreaths of leaves (men) and flowers (women). These days, oak branches are stuck on cars during the festival.
Lithuania: Lithuania has its own way of marking the June solstice. People in this country sing, dance and tell tales till sunset, then undertake the quest to find the magic fern blossom at night. Apart from jumping over bonfires, Lithuanians wash their faces with morning dew and young girls set flower wreaths afloat on the waters of river or lake.
Norway: Norway has its own set of traditions associated with Midsummer festival. Apart from big bonfires, the age-old custom of mock marriages between children and adults is undertaken – the ritual symbolizing the birth of new life. A belief is held that if a maiden girl keeps flowers under her pillow on this night, she’ll see her future husband in her dream.
Poland: On the day of summer solstice, people of Poland wear the traditional polka dress while young girls float flower wreaths into lakes, rivers and the sea. The festivities take place throughout the night.
Portugal: The Portuguese celebrate the Midsummer festival in a number of ways – it is marked as St John’s Day in Porto, Almada, Braga, and Figueira da Foz; St Anthony’s Day in Lisbon; St Peter’s Day in Sintra, Seixal, Barcelos and Povoa do Varzim. One gets to be a part of the most traditional festivities in Porto though, with fireworks over Douro River and people banging their neighbours’ heads with flowering garlic plant for good luck. Multicoloured papers and balloons adorn the streets of Portugal during Midsummer festivities. There is dancing along with food and drinks to celebrate. Traditionally, people partake of red wine, grilled sardines and potato-cabbage soup. Lisbon witnesses some of the liveliest parades depicting folklore and traditional costumes from different regions.
Romania: Romanians celebrate the June solstice through dances performed by groups of young girls dressed in white with veils having flowers. One of the girls in such a group is dressed as a bride, wearing wheat wreath.
Russia: The Midsummer Night in Russia is called the Ivan’s Day (John the Baptist is called Ivan Kupala in Old Russian) which is marked by fertility rituals. Girls set afloat flower garlands on rivers and their fortunes are read through the movement of the garlands. Bathing in the nude is also practised. Boys and girls jump over bonfires.
Scandinavia: The Scandinavians, on the other hand, have celebrated summer solstice with the Midsummer Festival for ages now. Partying around bonfires is typical of this festival.
Spain: St John the Baptist is called San Juan in Spain. Midsummer festivities in Spain involve partying around bonfires by the beach. Fireworks add more fun to the celebrations. In some parts of the country, women collect medicinal herbs as these are believed to be most potent at this time of the year.
Sweden: Dancing around big maypole marks celebrations of June solstice in Sweden. Traditional music and costumes also become a part of the festivities. Wildflower crowns and wreaths are worn by the revellers. The party menu features first strawberries and potatoes of the season, chives, pickled herring and sour cream. People also indulge in drinking to their heart’s fill.
United Kingdom: Back home in the UK, we have celebrations at Stonehenge – the ancient structure that is central to the concept of winter and summer solstice for over 5,000 years now. The Heel Stone just outside the circle of stones at Stonehenge becomes the point over which the summer solstice sun rises if you stand right at the centre of the circle.
USA: Midsummer parties are held throughout the US with great pomp and show. Dancing, maypole-raising and bonfires are highlights of celebrations here.
2010 June solstice also had its share of traditional festivities around the globe. What we celebrate today was a cause of real well-being for the ancients for the summer solstice marked the turning point in the agricultural season.
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