An important day of the summer solstice. Summer solstice Summer solstice day of the year time

On the night of June 20-21, 2016 (at 1.34 Moscow time), the solstice will occur in the Northern Hemisphere and astronomical summer will begin. A cheerful and bright holiday with rituals and ceremonies was dedicated to the day of the summer solstice in Rus', during which the pagan god Kupala was remembered.

So, today residents of the Northern Hemisphere will experience the longest day and shortest night of the year. The summer solstice falls on June 20, 21 or 22 in different years, depending on various inequalities in the Earth's movement. It is believed that from the moment the summer solstice approaches, astronomical summer begins in the Northern Hemisphere (astronomical winter begins in the Southern Hemisphere). The name - Summer Solstice Day - came from the fact that for several days the midday heights of the Sun continued to remain almost unchanged. After which the day began to gradually decrease, and the night began to increase.

Holiday of the pagan god Kupala: name, traditions, signs

Our ancestors, who noted and worshiped natural cycles, attached great importance to the summer solstice. They were sure that the sun has divine power over all living things, and the onset of the summer solstice symbolizes the onset of the period of greatest flowering of all the forces of nature. On the day of the solstice in Rus' they celebrated a holiday dedicated to the ancient pagan god Kupala. This holiday has several names. In Rus', depending on the area, he was known as Kres, Ivan the Good, Ivan Kupala, Ivan the Herbalist, Yarilin's Day. In Ukraine it was called Sontsekres, Kupaylo. In Belarus, the day of the summer solstice is known as Kupalye, and in Bulgaria it is called Spiritual Day.

The holiday was always celebrated with great joy. The main rituals were associated with herbs, fire and water and were carried out most often at night, when it became dark outside. The day before, young people wove beautiful wreaths of herbs and flowers. Periwinkle, basil, geranium, fern, rose, blackberry, oak and birch branches were used. During the holiday, these wreaths were destroyed: they were thrown into reservoirs, burned in bonfires, and thrown far away.

The main symbol of the holiday is the fern, which, according to legend, blooms only once a year. And the one who found it, plucked it and preserved it, acquires miraculous powers - he understands the language of animals, can become invisible and take on any form, sees treasures buried in the ground, commands water and earth.

On Kupala night, so-called cleansing bonfires were lit. They built huge piles of brushwood and set them on fire late in the evening. As a rule, such fires were burned until the morning. Around them they danced in circles, danced, and sang Kupala songs. They also jumped over them - people were sure that whoever jumped higher and more successfully over the fire would be happy throughout the year. Children and teenagers played noisy fun games: they ran races around the fire, played burners

On the night of Kupala, boys and girls chose their betrothed, with whom they jumped over the fire, bathed in the morning dew, looked for a fern flower and exchanged wreaths.

On Kupala it was necessary to swim - in a bathhouse, in any body of water - before sunset. It was believed that such ablutions cleanse the soul and body.

Our ancestors were sure that on this day it is best to collect medicinal herbs, as they receive great power from the Sun and Earth. The collection of medicinal herbs was most often trusted to children and the elderly.

The main rituals were associated with herbs, fire and water

On this day it was customary to pray to St. John the Baptist for headaches and for children.

It was believed that before Midsummer, women should not eat any berries. Otherwise, their little children will die.

To protect against evil spirits in the house, sharp amulets were stuck into the table, windows or doors. To be extra safe, they placed nettles or wormwood at the threshold and on the windowsills.

Conspiracies on Ivan Kupala

And on the Kupala holiday, they were sure to read various conspiracies.

Beauty spell. We need to collect the morning dew. To do this, a clean and dry cloth (towel, tablecloth) was passed over the wet grass, and then wrung out into a certain container. If you wash your face and hands with the collected dew, saying “Royal power, earthly power! Give endless beauty. Eternal youth. Amen,” then you can thus drive away illnesses and cleanse the skin.

A spell for good luck. All that is required is to stand in a round dance that is performed around a burning fire. The main condition is to walk clockwise, whisper or even mentally ask the fire for good luck.

Money conspiracy. To attract finance to yourself, you need to draw water on bathing night and throw in a handful of coins, preferably of high denomination (only big money can attract big money). At dawn, remove the coins from the magical water and hide them away. After some time, prosperity will definitely visit you.

Health spell . Any item washed in bathing water becomes special. As soon as a sick person puts such a thing on himself and goes to sleep in it, the next morning the illness will disappear.

The days of solstices and equinoxes are marked in all ancient and modern calendars of the world. And it’s no coincidence! These are special points when the axis around which our planet rotates in the direction from the Sun occupies special positions. The winter solstice is associated with the maximum angle of inclination of the Earth's axis relative to the Sun, which is 23° 26′. In our Northern Hemisphere, this corresponds to the longest night and the shortest day.

The magic of the winter solstice

The winter solstice in 2016 falls on December 21st. The winter solstice begins on December 21, 2016 at 10:45 UTC or 13:45 Moscow time, when the Sun enters 0° of the zodiac sign Capricorn.

This is the shortest day and longest night of the year. The winter solstice is one of the main solar points of the year in astrology, along with the days of the spring and autumn equinox, and the summer solstice.

Winter Solstice Traditions

Traditionally, in former times, the rebirth of the Sun was celebrated at the winter solstice; it was celebrated at night, before sunrise.

The holidays of Kolyada among the Slavs and Yule among the Germanic peoples are associated with this day. To give strength to the Sun, which, according to legend, should be reborn on this day, there was a custom of lighting a ritual fire.

Often the logs for the fire were oak, because oak was believed to be a cosmic tree. Sometimes they took a pine tree, which symbolized the dying sun god. The logs were decorated with carvings and corresponding symbols.

To perform the ritual of reviving the Sun, they took 13 red and green candles with the Sun and other magical symbols carved on them.

Old pagan customs of the winter solstice included the tradition of placing bread or cakes on the branches of old trees and pouring sweet drinks on the trees as a gift to the forest gods. This was done in the hope that, in gratitude, the people would be given a good harvest in the coming seasons.

With the advent of Christianity, the ancient holiday of the winter solstice was timed to coincide with Christmas and the beginning of the winter holidays. According to custom, on the longest night of the year they caroled and told fortunes about the future.

Magical rituals of the winter solstice
This is a great day to do a meditation to commemorate new beginnings and projects. If you are planning something new, take time on this day, because winter solstice meditations are especially powerful.

The winter solstice is a good day for those who are engaged in spiritual self-development; it inspires the opening of spiritual spaces and reveals past lives.

The day is suitable for rituals to fulfill desires. If you have a cherished wish, make it on the day of the rebirth of the Sun.

They perform rituals of healing, prosperity, gaining strength and wisdom.

Winter solstice divination gives accurate results; Three Card Tarot divination, Tarot divination for love and Oracle are well suited.

The room where the ritual or meditation is performed is decorated with dry leaves, nuts and fruits. 13 candles decorated with symbols of the Sun are placed in the center of the ritual altar. To aromatize the air, it is good to use juniper, cedar, pine and rosemary oils.

Herbs, stones and metals of the winter solstice

To help perform rituals and meditations, use herbs, stones and metals appropriate for this day:

Herbs: anise, elderberry, verbena, cloves, ginger, coriander, cinnamon, jasmine, lavender, bay, juniper, lemon balm, moss, rosemary, rue, sloe, thistle.

Stones: aventurine, turquoise, moonstone, ruby, sapphire, tiger's eye, black tourmaline.

Metals: gold, silver, brass, steel.

As treats for the festive table on the winter solstice, you can offer: pork and lamb dishes, pies, fruits (apples, pears, bananas, etc.), nuts, juices, ginger tea.

The next important sunny point of the year is the Vernal Equinox on March 20, 2017

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Different cultures interpreted this event differently, but most peoples perceived the winter solstice as a rebirth, setting a new beginning. At this time, festivals, holidays, meetings were organized, appropriate rituals were carried out, and mass celebrations were held with songs and dances.

The solstice was a special moment in the annual cycle even during the New Stone Age (Neolithic). Thanks to astronomical events, which since ancient times have governed the sowing of grain crops, the procurement of food before the next harvest, and the mating periods of animals, it is possible to trace how various traditions and myths arose.

Evidence of this can be seen in the layout of the most ancient monuments of the late New Stone and Bronze Ages. Such as Stonehenge (Great Britain) and Newgrange (Ireland), the main axes of which were aligned with special care and pointed to the sunrise at Newgrange, and the sunset at Stonehenge on the winter solstice.

It is noteworthy that the Great Trilith (a “P”-shaped structure of the three largest stones) at Stonehenge is turned outward relative to the center of the monument in such a way that its front flat part faces the Sun towards the middle of winter.

How the ancient Slavs celebrated the winter solstice

One of the most significant holidays revered by our ancestors were the days of the Solstice and Equinox. The rotation, solstice, solstice, equinox - personify the four hypostases of the ancient Slavic sun god Dazhdbog, the giver of light and heat. His name appears in a short prayer that has survived to this day: “Grant, God!” According to popular belief, Dazhdbog opens the summer and closes the fierce winter.

The Slavs considered this holiday a time of renewal and birth of the Sun, and with it all living things, a time of spiritual transformation, a time promoting both good material and spiritual changes. The night that precedes the winter solstice is considered the patroness of all nights, because it is on this night that the Goddess gives birth to a young solar baby - Dazhdbog, symbolizing the birth of life from death, order from chaos.

During the winter solstice, the Slavs celebrated the pagan New Year, which was personified with the deity Kolyada. The main object of the celebration was a large bonfire, invoking and depicting the Sun, which, after one of the longest nights of the year, was supposed to rise higher and higher into the heavenly heights.

It was also necessary to bake ritual New Year's pies of a round shape, reminiscent of a celestial body.

Winter solstice holiday among other nations

These days, in Europe, pagan festivals will mark the beginning of a 12-day cycle of magnificent festivities, marking the beginning of the renewal of nature and the beginning of a new life.

In Scotland there was a tradition of launching a burning wheel, symbolizing the solstice. The barrel was generously coated with resin, set on fire and launched down the slide, with rotating movements reminiscent of a fiery luminary.

In China, before all other seasons (and there are 24 of them in the Chinese calendar), the winter solstice was determined. The Chinese believed that it was from the beginning of this period that the male power of nature grew stronger and gave rise to a new cycle.

The winter solstice was a worthy celebration because it was considered a happy, successful day. Everyone, from the commoner to the emperor, relaxed and had fun on this day, showered each other with gifts, went to visit, and set large tables laden with various dishes.

An important role on this special day was given to sacrifices to the ancestors and the god of Heaven; appropriate ceremonies and rituals were carried out in order to protect oneself from diseases and evil spirits. Winter Solstice Day is still one of the Chinese traditional holidays.

Hindus The day of the winter solstice is called Sankranti. The festival was celebrated in both Sikh and Hindu communities, where at night, on the eve of the festival, bonfires were lit, the flames of which resembled the rays of the Sun that warm the earth after a cold winter.

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IN Human Design the position of the Sun on the Wheel of Life (I-Ching) corresponds to the 10th hexagram or the 10th gate of the Center of Human Identity. These gates are associated with our roles and characterize the potential Behavior of our Self. In the Chinese I-Ching they are called Step - “When stepping on the tail of a tiger, you need to know how to behave!”

It is this gate and the corresponding DNA codon of our genetic structure that guarantees the perfection of our form and its survival, as well as the beliefs that guide it. Since these gates are included in the Incarnation Cross of the Vessel of Love, they first characterize the Love of Life itself and what it means to be alive in human form. Many human characteristics are concentrated in this gate: instinctive awareness, strengthened by the sacred power of Life, and the manifestation of a person in the present moment “I Am”, his ability to awaken. Awakening is impossible without fixed behavior. The only way to it is to surrender to the privilege of exploring Life in a self-aware form!

Awakening is the oldest of our three mystical powers.The first and foremost initiation is to recognize who we are. This is perfectly illustrated by the inscription above the Delphic Oracle "Know Thyself"

Awakening is not a commitment to become someone, it is a commitment to BECOME YOURSELF. It is impossible to know what is not yet completed. The mystical love of these gates of the Vessel of Love is love for YOURSELF as it is in the Present. This is Awakening.

From the Complete Rave-I Ching Ra Uru Hu

Solstice is one of the two days of the year when the Sun is at its greatest angular distance from the celestial equator, i.e. when the height of the Sun above the horizon at noon is minimum or maximum. This results in the longest day and shortest night (summer solstice) in one hemisphere of the Earth and the shortest day and longest night (winter solstice) in the other.

The day of the summer solstice is the day of the beginning of summer in the northern hemisphere of the Earth and the beginning of winter in the southern hemisphere, that is, if the inhabitants of the Northern part of the Earth from this moment are at the beginning of astronomical summer, then for the inhabitants of the Southern hemisphere astronomical winter will begin in the same period of time.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the summer solstice occurs on June 20, 21, or 22. In the southern hemisphere, the winter solstice falls on these dates. Due to various inequalities in the movement of the Earth, the solstices fluctuate by 1-2 days.

In 2016, astronomical summer in the northern hemisphere will begin on June 20 at 22.34 UTC (UTC, June 21 at 01.34 Moscow time).

On the day of the summer solstice at the latitude of Moscow, the Sun rises above the horizon to a height of more than 57 degrees, and in territories located above a latitude of 66.5 degrees (the Arctic Circle), it does not set beyond the horizon at all, and the day lasts around the clock. At the North Pole of the Earth, the Sun moves across the sky at the same height around the clock. It is polar night at the South Pole at this time.

During several adjacent solstice days, the sun's midday heights in the sky remain almost constant; This is where the name of the solstice comes from. After the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere, the day begins to wane, and the night gradually begins to increase. In the southern hemisphere it is the other way around.

For thousands of years, the summer solstice was of great importance to our ancient ancestors, who obeyed the cycles of nature. During the times of the pagans, the sun had divine power over all living things, and the summer solstice meant the highest flowering of all the forces of nature.

In the old days, even before the advent of Christianity, the holiday of Kupala, dedicated to the ancient pagan god Kupala, was timed to coincide with the summer solstice.

On this day and night, they wove wreaths, drank surya (a honey drink), jumped over fires, made sacrifices to water and fire, collected medicinal herbs, performed rituals calling for the harvest, and “purifying the soul and body” ablutions in rivers, lakes and streams. The central place among the vegetation that night was occupied by ferns. It was believed that a fern flower, blooming only for a moment at midnight, would accurately indicate where the treasure was buried.

People said: “At Kupala there is sun for the winter, and summer for the heat,” “Whoever does not go to the Bath will be a tree stump, and whoever goes to the Bath will be a white birch.”

The holiday has many names. Depending on the location and time, it was called Kupala, Kres (Old Russian), Ivan the kind, loving, Ivan Kupala, Ivan the Herbalist, Yarilin's day (in the Yaroslavl and Tver provinces), Sontsekres (Ukrainian), Spirits-den (Bulgarian) etc. In Ukraine it is also known as Kupailo, in Belarus - Kupala.

With the adoption of Christianity, people did not reject the holiday of Kupala, but, on the contrary, timed this day to coincide with the day of John the Baptist, which, according to the old style, falls on June 24. But according to the new calendar style, the day of John the Baptist falls on July 7th. Today, the celebration does not correspond to the astronomical solar equinox.

The celebration of the summer solstice was present in all ancient pagan systems; many peoples still celebrate it to this day, some in its original form and some in a simplified form, leaving only the basic rituals and transforming the ancient rituals of their ancestors into a vibrant holiday.

The summer solstice among all Celtic peoples was considered the time of fairies, elves and other supernatural beings. Among the Celtic peoples of Britain, the holiday was called Litha and was closely associated with the pagan cult of the sun.

The Scandinavian and Baltic peoples celebrated the day and night of the summer solstice magnificently. Subsequently, these holidays in different countries were called Midsummer's Day or Midsummer's Night (from the national version of the name Ivan).

In Latvia, the holiday is called Ligo, or Jan's Day, it has state status and is celebrated on June 23 and 24, which are official holidays. it is also called Jan's Day, in Lithuania - Jonines or Rasos, dew festival. In both countries it is celebrated on June 24 and is a public holiday and day off.

In Norway, the holiday named after John the Baptist is called Jonsok ("Midsummer's Night"). Another name for the holiday is Jonsvaka (Jonsvoko) - formed from the name Johan and the verb vake - “to stay awake”. It was believed that on Midsummer night one should not sleep until dawn - not only because one can hear the singing of elves, but above all for the purpose of protection for the whole coming year. Another name for the holiday, more “official”, is Sankthansnatt or Sankthansaften (St. Hans’s Night).

In Sweden the holiday is called Midsommar. Until 1953, it was celebrated on the same day that the Christian Church celebrated the day of John the Baptist. But now the holiday usually falls on the penultimate Saturday of June, that is, it is usually celebrated from June 20 to 26. In Sweden, the celebration begins the day before, on Friday, which is also a non-working holiday.

In Finland, during pagan times, the holiday was called in honor of the God of Fire - Ukon juhla, but now it is called Juhannus - an outdated form of pronunciation of the name of John the Baptist. Since 1954, Johannus has been celebrated on a Saturday falling between the 20th and 26th of June. Since 1934, this day has been an official holiday - the Day of the National Flag of the country.

The material was prepared based on information from RIA Novosti and open sources

Our ancestors were hardworking and observant. They paid attention to two annual days that literally had a new cycle - these are the days of the solstice. Ancient people found it necessary not only to use them in the agricultural calendar, but also to cover them with legends and myths.

From an astronomical point of view, the solstice day in summer differs from other days throughout the year in having the shortest night and the longest daylight hours. Scientists explain the miraculous phenomenon very simply: the Sun during this period is at the longest distance from the equator, the tilt of the earth's axis is the least possible, which makes adjustments to the length of daylight hours, which falls on the period from June 20 to 22. The date that “floats” every year is explained by the uneven movement of the Earth. By the way, in the Arctic Circle, on this day the Sun does not hide behind the horizon at all, resulting in daylight that lasts a whole day. At the same time, at the South Pole during this period, the polar night is of the same duration. Then night appears in the Northern Hemisphere, and it begins to increase, and in the Southern Hemisphere, the night decreases, but the day “grows”.

When is the summer solstice in 2019?

Our ancestors, of course, did not know all this, but they had their own explanations on this matter. They observed with their own eyes that the sun rose to its maximum height on this day and took this fact as a starting point, considering it the full beginning of summer. Moreover, they found it quite appropriate to turn this moment into a big celebration. Having a wedding on such a day is like celebrating New Year in winter.

Thus, the Slavs celebrate the summer solstice with the ancient and national holiday of Ivan Kupala, Latvians with the holiday of Lita, and Finns with the holiday of Johannus. The word "Lita", for example, is translated from the old Anglo-Saxon dialect as follows: the longest day in terms of length and duration in the whole year.

The sacred meaning of the summer solstice on video:

For most peoples, such holidays are associated with the ascension of the solar deity. That is why fire motifs abound in festive rituals. So, the Scots roll wheels or hoops tied with straw and set on fire from cliffs towards a reservoir. It is believed that if the wheel burns properly all the way to the water, it means a good harvest. Our ancestors developed a different kind of fun: jumping over a blazing fire. Such physical training not only raised the level of adrenaline, but was also intended to clear the jumper of all sorts of troubles. The summer solstice holiday is organically woven into the motifs of love and a happy marriage. Unmarried young people can ask their fate on Kupala night the most cherished thing by taking part in fortune telling. The lovers jumped holding hands. If they managed to overcome the fiery barrier without unclenching their hands, this promised mutual love and a happy marriage. However, there are no statistics on this matter, so for safety reasons it is better to find another way to test your feelings for strength.

Not everyone is primarily interested in youthful ardor. Icelanders, for example, are convinced that on the shortest night of the year, under favorable circumstances, a person can be cured of 19 diseases at once. And in general, in Iceland it’s not just a holiday, but the whole summer solstice festival - a bright and beautiful tradition.

Greenery is of great importance during this celebration: branches, flowers, and also trees. Fern is considered the most powerful magical plant of the solstice night in summer, and not only among the Slavs. According to legend, it blooms on this night, but its flowering lasts only a few moments. Seeing a fern bloom at night or collecting the seeds of this plant on such a night is considered a great success and a task for the bravest, because the fern is vigilantly guarded by forest fairies and other, much less attractive representatives of evil spirits. By the way, myths and legends endow evil spirits with special power during the solstice, so people were instructed to be careful. But if you are lucky and the daredevil manages to get fern seeds, then he gains the ability to become invisible, and the flower he finds is the best weapon against various otherworldly evil spirits! If there is little hope for a fern, then elderberries and birch branches will do. The latter was especially revered by the Celtic peoples.

If you don’t really believe in otherworldly forces, but want to make this day special, it’s enough to take an oath of allegiance to each other on the night before the solstice. It will turn out unusual, romantic and without injury. True, breaking this oath is a serious offense or a blow to karma, if you wish. And it should not be given just anywhere, but not far from some important source of water. Custom recommends sealing an oath with a simple and honest handshake. Interestingly, June is still considered the most successful month for marriage in the UK. Calendars change, are accepted and cancelled, important dates are shifted accordingly, but this does not bother anyone. Traditions are modified and forgotten, but genetic memory still stores valuable information.

The summer solstice is one of the most important days of the year. It carries powerful energy, which is why it is so important not to miss this significant date.

Summer Solstice Day

The summer solstice is the longest day of daylight of the year. In pagan times, it was believed that it was endowed with special powers, so many holidays were dedicated to it. In contrast to the summer solstice, there is the longest night of the year. This is the day of the winter solstice. Every year in spring and autumn there comes a time when day and night become equal in length. They are named the days of the spring and autumn equinox, respectively. Since the Sun is associated with luck, many rituals and fortune telling on this day have special power, as esotericists say.

Summer Solstice 2016

The summer solstice is not an official holiday today. But it had great sacred significance for our ancestors. Sometimes the date of this day varies, so during a leap year you should be more careful not to miss this event.

As a rule, the longest daylight hours of the year occur on the 21st, but in a leap year it can shift by a day. In 2016, the summer solstice will begin on June 21 at 1:34 Moscow time. In different time zones there can be a difference of up to a day.

Holidays on the summer solstice

Directly connected with the summer solstice and the cult of the Sun is the holiday of Lita, which was celebrated by the Celts in ancient times and was of great importance for the people of that time. Now most of the traditions have already been lost, but there are still echoes. At the same time, one can trace a lot of similarities between this holiday and the holiday of Ivan Kupala, one of the most beloved and widely celebrated days among the Slavs.

On the day of Litha, as the Celts believed, evil spirits acquire special power. To avoid their bad influence, a special role was assigned to cleansing fires and ferns, which, according to legends, protected from evil spirits. In some places, they wrapped hay around the wheels and set them on fire, and then wondered: if the wheel was burning all the time while it was rolling, then this was a good omen. They believed that then there would be a good harvest. They also believed that for a brief moment on this night the fern would bloom, and the lucky one who managed to collect its seeds could become invisible and watch the fairies having fun.

Today, the holiday of Ivan Kupala among the Slavs and the day of St. John, which is called differently in different countries, but in the Slavic tradition goes back to the day of John the Baptist, has very similar motives. Due to the difference in the new and old styles, it is now celebrated on July 7, but originally it was dedicated to the summer solstice. This is also evidenced by the similarity of traditions, for example, jumping over a fire. Bathing in a river or bathhouse was also a very important action: it was believed that during this time the evil spirits came out of the water. The tricks of mermen and mermaids were more likely to be feared on earth.

Many beliefs connected the night of Ivan Kupala with evil spirits. They protected themselves from its evil influence with the help of herbs, primarily nettle and wormwood. Also on this day, sacrifices were traditionally made to ancestors and Christian saints. In some places it was believed that fireflies appeared on Ivan Kupala, which were associated with the souls of the departed.

In many European cultures, including Slavic ones, this day was associated with family and marriage, so betrothed were often chosen during the summer solstice. A huge number of games and rituals were of a marriage nature. For example, young people jumped over the fire holding hands. It was believed that if they did not open their hands at this moment, they would become a strong family and live a happy life together. If their hands did open, then it was probably not destined for the young people to find common happiness. And yet, if you are unlucky in love on this day, do not despair: you can use love talismans.

Despite the fact that pagan holidays in the modern world often lose their original appearance and traditions of celebration, they still remain in the memory of generations. May the summer solstice day in 2016 bring you good luck, and don't forget to press the buttons and

13.06.2016 18:07

The summer solstice is a special time in esoteric terms. It is associated with the beginning of astronomical summer...