Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Summer solstice is Sunday
The Summer Solstice arrives on Father’s Day this year. The “official” start of summer… although in my area that heat’s been turned on for weeks. Outside heat, that is. Temperatures soaring past the 90’s and we’re already looking at a drought.
Cultures have celebrated this day in a variety of ways, mostly centering around fertility and/or religion. Ancient Greeks celebrated the God of Agriculture, Cronus. (I would have put a picture up but, frankly, they’re all kind of weird).
Many Native American tribes took part in centuries-old midsummer rituals, some of which are still practiced today. The Sioux, for instance, performed a ceremonial sun dance around a tree while wearing symbolic colors.
For the ancient Vikings, Midsummer was a crucial time of year for the Nordic seafarers, who would meet to discuss legal matters and resolve disputes around the summer solstice. They would also visit wells thought to have healing powers and build huge bonfires. Today, “Viking” summer solstice celebrations are popular among both residents and tourists in Iceland.
More on ancient world celebrations of the Summer Solstice at history.com
So what does it all mean for we gardeners? We can believe in magic and fairies and bask in the glow of sunshine as we look to all that produce and flowers!
Get out there and plant a plant, stroll a forest, run through a prairie or prance in a puddle, if you can find one!
Enjoy the longest day of the year…….. maybe grilling out with Dad!
