Summer Solstice.

[bluemoon]

What is everyone doing for the Solstice? Usually we have a bit of a party, with a barbie if the weather permits. Unfortunately the red flows so well that I've only ever managed to stay awake until sunrise once. This year though, having had a really dire few months with some truly awful things happening in my life, I'm going to spend it peacefully and with OH only, try and tap into those changing energies and hope it brings change for us too.

[Nicos]

Saturday is a music festival day all over France - so I imagine we'll be attending one of those held locally!

Gosh- hard to believe it's nearly here...I always think that the weather improves after the longest day...fingers crossed eh??

[rustylady]

I can't believe it's Midsummer Solstice already. Feels like early spring still. Nothing's growing as it should and I can't bear the thought of the days getting shorter again.

[zazen999]

My niece was born on the day after the summer Solstice, so I will be in attendance at a 5yr old's swimming party tomorrow.

It's quite good as I get to spend hours with her and her lovely little sister afterwards; and drive home on midsummer night.

I'm glad it's not just me with stuff not growing as it should, all my stuff looks quite stumpy and far too many onions have bolted for my liking.

[Starchild]

Absolutely...nothing. I'm a Norse heathen and celebrating summer solstice is not important. Winter however...now that's a booze up and a half. I shall laugh at those attending Stonehenge as it was built for winter not summer celebrations!

[zazen999]

The very very good thing about this year is that I will be alone driving home, so I can blast out my Ipod tunes and nobody cares [my OH is a soul boy and doesn't care for most of my music].

Must remember to add some more stuff to it before tonight, i've still got half to fill.

[Mrs Dobby]

Yep, stonehenge and quite a few other megalithic sites are more aligned on the Winter Solstice than the Summer, as it was more important to know when that was in order to begin preparations for planting and greet the coming new growing year, but personally I dont see that as any real reason not to mark the day with a bit of celebration!

Our usual rites and actions are more spontaneous than planned, and done to honour the land, the Gods, the Ancestors and ourselves, so it'll probably be something simple such as a BBQ with friends and a bit of quiet contemplation. There are other much more important festivals to us, with much more 'celebrating' going on at them!

Whatever you are doing, however (or not) you choose to celebrate, I hope you all have an enjoyable day!

[bluemoon]

I agree there are far more important festivals to me too, I think that's why this particular one has become something of a party, especially as it gets dark so late......any excuse really. It's obvious really that the winter solstice is the more important as just about every religion celebrates something around that time and the return of the sun is going to be the more significant. Still, I'm going to use this as a time for quiet contemplation this year, I think I need it, lots of really horrible things have happened in the past few months (which I haven't mentioned on the vine, this is where I come to escape for a bit) so it will be good to sit peacefully and try to turn things to a more positive light.

[celticmyth]

My partner and i will possibly go to a local high-point to mark the sunrise.
Yule is more important to us as it's when we first handfasted and we continue to do so again every year.

[lainey lou]

Was invited to a hand fasting ceremony, however I'd already booked to work, so, I'll be on nights all over the weeked. I do however have to drive past stonehenge on my way too and fro work.

[bluemoon]

A handfasting on the shortest night of the year? Bad planning!

[jackie j]

This year because its a leap year longest night is tonight according to the news

[Winged one]

I am hoping to get out to the plot in the very early morning (twill be full bright by 7 going by earlier this week - but it should be very quiet on the plot as it's a saturday). On my own. So able to get my jobs done, but also have some peaceful quiet time and connecting in my own way with the earth and growth cycle.

[beefy]

Well if according to some tonight is the shortest night I'll be driving from Stranraer to Oswestry and then on to Nuneaton . If tomorrow night is the shortest I'll be driving from Nuneaton to Stranraer.
so what ever way you look at it - I'm driving .

Seriously though if it's an important night for you and your belief's have a good night.

And like zazen999 I have the radio/ cd / mp3 player all to my self

[bloom]

oh no it can't be i refuse to believe summer is over and that winter is well on its way, where is all the nice weather, wednesday was more like february than june horrible, i think i shall have to go to the pub to see the summertime off.