Merry Mid-Year Solstice for 2016

Happy Solstice Celebration

Here in the Northern Hemisphere, we celebrate the Summer Solstice on June 21st or 22nd. The Summer Solstice rings in the waning year and begins the slow good-bye of the sun as the days become shorter and the darkness slowly returns to the land.

As the story goes, the Oak King has ruled over the Earth, bringing the Sun to warm the ground so fields could be planted for wheat, barley and gardens can grow. When the solstice arrives, the Holly King wakes from his slumber and challenges the Oak for supremacy in the sky.

Their battles rage through the summer as the Oak King fights to hold on to his love, Mother Earth. The clashes between these Kings are heard through the Thunder drums of summer storms as lightning crackles from the striking of their swords in bright explosions.

To watch over the land, the Faeries come out at night to protect the children of Mother Earth and their forest homes from the battles that rage on beyond the clouds above. The rabbits, squirrels, birds, trees and flowers are all cared for by the magikal Fae and even you are protected beneath their wings.

In the Southern Hemisphere the mid-year solstice begins the celebration of Yule and the return of the King. Or in this case the return of the Sun. The days become longer and the darkness slowly says it’s good-bye to the cold winter months. Yule honors the 3 aspects of the Goddess in the form of the Maiden, Mother and Crone, along with the return of the King (the God). Each phase of the Divine is given a 3 day holiday to celebrate and honor their existence in our lives.

The Maiden comes first with her 3 days. Then the Mother is honored with her 3 days. The King is then honored linking his connection to the Great Mother. And finally the wise Crone is honored with her 3 days of celebration. This practice in the North is the origin of the Christian concept of the 12 Days of Christmas.

In both cases between the North and South, the Sun is honored with bonfires and celebrations of the Holly and Oak Kings in battle. Many Pagan traditions honor the exchange of power with re-enactments of their battle with swords and the sounds of thunder ringing out in the background.

Everyone here at Springwolf Reflections and Spring’s Haven
wish you and yours a very Merry and Joyful holiday celebration.
May the Faeries in your home and garden
bless your evening and all the days of your life.

You can learn more about the Solstice through these articles here on Reflections:

Mid-Summer Festival – Celebrating The Summer Solstice
The Summer Solstice – A Time For Faeries – Walnuts For Wishes : A Recipe and Ritual For Faeries
The History Of Yule – The Winter Solstice