Happy Summer Solstice :)

[lunarx]

Blessings to all on this day May your summers be filled with light and happiness =)

[gothicmama]

and to you - remember to have honey today

[munz]

and you. what r u all doing?

[expatinscotland]

Happy Litha to you all!

[Lonelymum]

My ds1 has his birthday today, and ds2's birthday is on 21st December - the shortest day. How cool is that?

[expatinscotland]

That's pretty cool! My DD is 19 June, and this one is due 18 December.

Wonder if being born on or near solstice days has any significance.

[Lonelymum]

I was trying for all four quarter days after I managed 21st June and 21st December. Next baby (dd) was born on 30th March but at 21:21. Ds3 took ages to be conceived. Completely missed September.....and October...........and November......in fact he was born in February!

[lunarx]

thank you all,... very cool, lonelymum!! i 'tried' to have ds on the summer solstice last year, but he didnt want out til june 24th!!

[expatinscotland]

Yes, it's a lovely day. But am I the only person who prefers Samhain [evil]?

[lunarx]

i prefer Samhain and Beltane =D

[SaintGeorge]

Happ Litha to you all.

I was out at dawn this morning and I intend to be out at sunset - is it any wonder I am always shattered the day after a solstice

[munz]

I prefer Beltaine as it's when my anniversary is.

[ABow]

I love lugnasadh and of course yule

[Mama5]

can someone tell me what these all are please! I like to be knowledgable if possible! Thanks

[SaintGeorge]

They are all various festivals celebrated in the pagan calendar. There are four major and four minor 'sabats', based on solar and lunar dates.
The names vary depending on the tradition followed but these are the ones I personally celebrate:

Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Litha, Lammas, Mabon, Samhain, and Yule.

[jabberwocky]

My best girl friend and I did a lovely ritual last night. The moon was big, gorgeous and tangerine!

[Mama5]

thanks saintgeorge so are they all on 21sts?

[SaintGeorge]

No. Four of them (the solstices and equinoxes) always vary because they are linked to the movements of the sun and moon, but are generally around the 21st. The others used to move but depending on the branch of paganism may be fixed to particular dates.

Imbolc (or Candlemas) - 1st/2nd February

Ostara - Spring Equinox - 20th/21st March

Beltane (or May Day) April 30th/2nd May

Litha - Summer Solstice - 20th/22nd June

Lammas/Lugnasadh - 1st/2nd August

Mabon - Autumn Equinox - 20th/21st September

Samhain (or Halloween) is 31st Oct/1st November but most people would obviously go for 31st Oct

Yule - Winter Solstice - 20th/22nd December

Of course, some of those are turned completely upside down if in the southern hemisphere.

[flamesparrow]

Wasn't on yesterday - Hope you all enjoyed!!!

I prefer Beltane and Samhain too.

I think Beltane links back for me to going to Padstow for Obby Oss Day as a child - I felt the magic in the air then, and it stuck. And Samhain... dunno, it just always felt special for some reason.

[merglemergle]

I love Samhain, probably because I lived in Edinburgh for 5 years and they know how to celebrate it there. Mind you, they are pretty good at Beltane too.

And who could fault Yule? I think I like the cosy winter festivals a bit more. But you do need lots of people to celebrate, IMO, like in Edinburgh where basically half the town turns out to watch fire eaters and drumming and stuff. Here (South Wales) no-one seems to notice .

Its my mum's birthday on the 21st, and they went up to the allotment and watched the moon rise. Thats what I wish I had been doing . However, in fact I was trying to persuade ds to sleep. Presume Calpol does not count as honey?