BS: Summer Solstice

Subject: BS: Summer Solstice
From: Bryn Pugh
Date: 18 Jun 09 - 08:44 AM

To all our friends on the 'Cat :

Blessed Be. Love, Blessings and Greetings of the Solstice.

So mote it be.

Erica and Bryn

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 18 Jun 09 - 11:43 AM

Yep - and to you both, and all likewise :-)

What will peeps be singing for the Solstice then?

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 18 Jun 09 - 12:35 PM

Poem 156 of 230: EASTBOURNE - SUMMER 2001

On the day before the solstice,
    I first sighted Eastbourne:
A beautiful elegant place -
    English culture untorn.

Two long days allowed two long lanes
    To be walked before dark -
One after travel on four trains,
    One post-Devonshire Park.

The first was between sea and heath,
    And gardens signed by post,
Then up the Downs to view, beneath,
    The brutal handsome coast.

The next, contrasting that before,
    Showed all kinds of vessels -
Parked up along the pebbly shore
    And in marina cells.

(But, as for the women's tennis,
    It soon became a qualm -
As I was put-off by what is
    A great strain on their arm.)

From http://http://walkaboutsverse.sitegoz.com.sitegoz.com (e-scroll)
Or http://blogs.myspace.com/walkaboutsverse (e-book)

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 18 Jun 09 - 01:28 PM

The SitlentOne, Crow Sister and I will be at Knockholt to see in the Soltice.

Woot!

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: SINSULL
Date: 18 Jun 09 - 01:36 PM

The longest day of the year - sad. Now it will start getting dark earlier and earlier. SIGH Winter is coming.

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: Paul Burke
Date: 18 Jun 09 - 01:44 PM

Winter's ALWAYS coming Sinsull. So is Spring.

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 19 Jun 09 - 02:33 AM

Poor Mary... she lives in the land where winter is interminably long and particularly unforgiving.

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: Janie
Date: 19 Jun 09 - 03:19 AM

Thanks for this thread.

I have always marked the solstices and each equinox in some manner, usually with a sweat lodge on our farm or a winter plunge in the pond.    Since the break-up of my marriage I have lost the physical place and also the community that supported the symbolic marking of these significant times of reflection, renewal and commitment. This year, for the first time, in my scramble to live one day at a time, I did not even realize the summer soltice was upon us.

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 19 Jun 09 - 03:26 AM

Sounds like we need a Mudcat Tavern and Sweet lodge then...

I'll get the keys.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 19 Jun 09 - 04:11 AM

Solstice point 2009: 21 June, 05.45 GMT.

Ordinarily at this time of year I'd be singing Bellamy's setting of Kipling's A Tree Song / Oak, Ash and Thorn by way of fakeloric observance but last night (at The Steamer in Fleetwood) I opted for Come Write Me Down, Butter & Cheese & All, and Lucy Wan, having quite forgotten about the solstice, which is unusual because as both an erstwhile Pagan with certain pagan leanings & SAD sufferer it's a crucial time for me (as SINSULL points out above). On the day though, I expect Sundog will be out on his vagabondian rounds, seeking signs and portents in the ceremonial landscape, though maybe not at 05.45 GMT...

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 19 Jun 09 - 05:27 AM

Solstice Greeting to you and yours

Blessed Be

Khatt and Paul x

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: greg stephens
Date: 19 Jun 09 - 05:59 AM

Solstices are a world wide phenomenon. Happy Winter Solstice to any New Zealanders, Australians,Zimbabweans, Brazilians, Tierra Del Fuegans, South Georgians, penguins, etc.

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: MBSLynne
Date: 19 Jun 09 - 07:42 AM

My wishes to all for peace, love and happiness at the solstice. and in view of a recent thread I'll add tolerance to that

Brightest blessings

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: Cats
Date: 19 Jun 09 - 09:11 AM

Brightest Blessings to all. A time for a new start.

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Jun 09 - 10:21 AM

Merry Solstice!

I am reminded of one of my fav. ones past when friends came over for a sweat/meditation, then we danced round a huge old apple tree then out around the pond to dance round an even bigger, older oak tree. We became one with the tree, the land, sunk deep our roots while we danced with the clouds in the sky. It was a wonderful time with fire, chanting and thanks giving.

In Peace, Light and Love,

So mote it be!

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 20 Jun 09 - 03:37 AM

Hoping for clear sky Sunday morning to see the sunrise from Knockholt festival. Leaving in a couple of hours. Gonna be so good.

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 20 Jun 09 - 03:40 AM

Leaving now for Beaufort Polo Club for England v Australia - the Tomlinson boys amke up half the England team of course!

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: Tig
Date: 20 Jun 09 - 08:41 AM

Bright Blessings to you all. Don't think I'll make sunrise tomorrow - but you never know as our bedroom faces due East.

Let's hope the turning of the year brings good things and less world disturbance with it.

Love and hugs
Tig
xxx

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 20 Jun 09 - 03:19 PM

Have a great solstice. Up here on Orkney I shall visit the standing stones. Though it looks to be grey weather wise. It will be my 60th solstice. I've awlays felt the longest day special in many ways. When I was young I used to go to Stonehenge. At other times I've been to Scarbro to watch the sunrise. I was born about 05.30 on the day, so I guess I'll wait for me bus pass to arrive. I hope the turning of the year brings good things to all.

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: gnu
Date: 20 Jun 09 - 03:35 PM

Happy Bday, Eric.

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: Peace
Date: 20 Jun 09 - 03:37 PM

Back atcha, Bryn.

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 20 Jun 09 - 07:30 PM

At this moment 00.30hrs BST the sun is still a gentle glow reflected under some high clouds giving a warm glow across Scapa flow. In the lands of (almost) midnight sun you can see to walk about quite easily. The sun will lift itself from the sea in a couple of hours time.......

Magical

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: gnu
Date: 20 Jun 09 - 07:39 PM

3h35m or so... happy summer

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: Joybell
Date: 20 Jun 09 - 09:10 PM

Song of Summers Lost

Some thing's lost when the sun goes down
Something won't come again
Just as love goes cold and dies
So the seasons wax and wane.

Something's gone when the sun goes down
Something you can't recall
A glance, a smile, that warmed us once
Fades with that fiery ball.

Some things linger when the sun goes down
The soft light just won't die
As gentle evening shadows dim
Our thoughts take wings and fly

Some things are born when the sun goes down
Some things you'll treasure long
The memory of this fading day
In a sad, sweet Solstice song.

By our friend Ruth Phil for the Summer Solstice of 2003.
Of course it's our Winter Solstice today.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Jun 09 - 09:45 PM

Happy Birthday, Eric. Thanks for the *visual*. It sounds beautiful. A friend just sent me a postcard of the Ring of Brodgar at sunrise. Magic, indeed!

Joy, thanks for the beautiful poem.

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: gnu
Date: 21 Jun 09 - 12:29 PM

My window air conditions have been humming right along for a while. Been sunny and in the low 30s. Yesterday was so muggy, even Spaw woulda worked up a sweat with a good fart.

I awoke to 12C, 30kph and rain. Ah, summer in New Brunswick.

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 21 Jun 09 - 12:41 PM

Crow Sister -

TheSilentOne looked up the pagan name for summer solstice. It is Lith.

We did well on Summer's In. Pity there weren't many there to hear it.

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 21 Jun 09 - 12:57 PM

Where's Litha come from? Anyone know - is it Saxon?

Shame there were so few hardened enough to sing up the sun!

Though we were a bit premature with Summer's In - but then it was too cloudy to catch first rays anyway.

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 21 Jun 09 - 01:28 PM

Ah well, nights are drawing in now...

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: gnu
Date: 21 Jun 09 - 03:15 PM

Hehehehe.

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: Joybell
Date: 21 Jun 09 - 07:27 PM

Not here they're not. Mid-winter is past. Days are getting longer. Our Winter Solstice is over.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 21 Jun 09 - 07:52 PM

Days are getting longer I'm afraid they aren't, if you're in the northern hemisphere. Summer solstice is "the longest day" - after that every day is a liitle shorter.

(Though as Sid Kipper poits out, actually the longest day is the day they put the clocks back in autumn, because that day is 25 hours long.)

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: open mike
Date: 21 Jun 09 - 09:14 PM

in Swedish tradition Mid-sommar is a time for great celebration.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midsummer#Sweden
http://www.sweden.se/eng/Home/Lifestyle/Traditions/Reading/Midsummer/

i did dance around a "may-pole" with friends..
enough aquavit (schnaps) and anyone can do it!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akvavit
http://www.aquavit.com/essence_summer.html

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: Rowan
Date: 21 Jun 09 - 10:40 PM

Solstices are a world wide phenomenon. Happy Winter Solstice to any New Zealanders, Australians,Zimbabweans, Brazilians, Tierra Del Fuegans, South Georgians, penguins, etc.

Thanks, Greg. And thanks to Joybell, too.

Yesterday was the 40th Anniversary Midwinter of the '69 Mawson ANARE and, due to finances being a bit tight (daughter #2 is having a school trip to Japan, braving the pig flu kerfuffle), I was unable to join them in Hobart. But I raised a glass "to absent friends" which includes all you 'catters.

Cheers, Rowan

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: Micca
Date: 23 Jun 09 - 09:25 AM

An interesting article in yesterdays Guardian(London UK) on this subject (and the rise of Paganism in generalhere

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: billybob
Date: 23 Jun 09 - 12:46 PM

Eric we share a birthday, 21st June 19**?? I was here a little before you!Bus pass already!
I had a beautiful day, had a bar b q on the beach with family and friends.
Wendy

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: vectis
Date: 23 Jun 09 - 06:54 PM

Happy solstice to you all.

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: number 6
Date: 23 Jun 09 - 07:10 PM

Happy Solstice

biLL

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 24 Jun 09 - 12:44 PM

billybob, you are only about the fifth person I have ever known with the same birthday. My oldest, long term friend also has the same day and we've been friends for almost 40 years. So Happy Birthday (that was) to you.

Micca and I have known each other since about 1968? So that puts us to 40 years (though I hadn't seen him for about 30 or more)

Paganism is old, much older than these new religions !!

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: Paul Hazell
Date: 25 Jun 09 - 05:44 PM

Hi Joy

not sure if you ever found it but I did eventually provide the lyrics to that Slim Dusty song you asked about, "A Modern Yodelling Song". I noticed you had been active on this thread so hopefully this pointer will be helpful!

cheers

PAUL

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: Joybell
Date: 26 Jun 09 - 02:51 AM

Hello Paul. Thank you for the pointer. I'll go visit.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Jun 10 - 06:07 PM

Solstice Greetings, everyone!

Merry meet and Blessed be,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: GUEST,eric the viking
Date: 21 Jun 10 - 06:46 PM

Grey cloud obliterated the sunrise this morning but at 23.45 hrs, there is a clear sky and a gentle glow.

Today was my eleventy fifth and a half birthday.

I hope your solstice day was bright.

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: gnu
Date: 21 Jun 10 - 07:05 PM

I was mowing the lawn a half hour ago when summer began. I shall celebrate with a cold ale

Happy summer to all.

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: Micca
Date: 21 Jun 10 - 07:15 PM

Hey Gnu, does you lawnmower have headlights? its just gone midnight!

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Jun 10 - 10:19 PM

Happy Natal Day, eric the viking!

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: open mike
Date: 21 Jun 10 - 10:36 PM

happy mid summer...here are some swedish folk dancers celebrating
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSopFshwrQ0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwPM6nKG_WA&NR=1

and here is a banned ikea commercial
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I5BGsK5ZAU

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: Mrrzy
Date: 21 Jun 10 - 10:48 PM

Banned for what reason?

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: gnu
Date: 22 Jun 10 - 05:04 AM

Good reason.

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 22 Jun 10 - 07:26 AM

Old meets new as Britons celebrate summer solstice

Unfortunately this story doesn't include the picture of black face morris men in blue tatters with caption "Sun worshippers - revellers conduct a sunset service before an all-night party & sunrise on the longest day in the northern hemisphere."
Photo is credited Getty Images/Matt Cardy who is based in the south west of England

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 23 Jun 10 - 03:49 AM

Let me worship like the dru-ids
Drinking strange exotic flu-ids
Running naked thru the woo-ids
It's good enough for me

Maybe she was just an enthusiastic celebrant

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah - A woman was undergoing a mental evaluation Tuesday after police say she stole two vehicles, including a police cruiser, and led officers on a chase through two Salt Lake City suburbs — all while naked.

Police Capt. Tom McLachlan said doctors do not believe drugs or alcohol led to the woman's erratic behavior, which also included running through sage brush.

The chase finally ended when she was subdued with a stun gun after climbing a chain-link fence.

"It appears there may be mental issues involved," McLachlan said.

He said the woman is in her early 30s, but her name was not being released. He said doctors need to finish a medical assessment before police decide whether to pursue charges.

The chase started in West Jordan when the already unclothed woman left her car, climbed into another car that was running and drove away, McLachlan said.

He said she wrecked that car, then ran off — still naked — into some sagebrush. A police officer spotted her and called for backup, not knowing what to expect from the woman.

When another officer arrived, the woman charged them both, slipped through their grasp and took off in one of their cruisers, ramming it through a large gate, McLachlan said.

That ride ended in nearby West Valley City when the woman failed to make a sharp left turn and the cruiser ramped off a berm and traveled about 50 feet before crashing to the ground hard enough to bend the vehicle's frame, McLachlan said.

"That car that she took is a total loss," he said. "I think there's a hubcap that's still usable."



Is somebody going to write the song?

John

Subject: RE: BS: Summer Solstice
From: LadyJean
Date: 24 Jun 10 - 12:24 AM

I cut back my St. John's Wort, which is plotting to take over the world and distributed it for Midsummer.
Driving through Salt Lake City naked takes some nerve. It's a useful reminder that it's never a good idea to leave your car running.