Summer Solstice Empowers Our Spirits
This holiday celebrates the Summer Solstice, which occurs this year on Sunday, June 20, 2021 CE (Sun’s Day, Midyear 20, 2271 RE), at 11:32 PM EDT, 10:32 PM CDT, 9:32 PM MDT, 8:32 PM PDT. The longest day, and shortest night, of the year is on Summer Solstice. After this, the days will gradually become shorter and the nights grow longer.
The Sun’s Most Powerful Day of the Year
For our ancestors Summer Solstice, also called Midsummer, was a joyous holiday celebrating the Sun and her energies. At May Day or Beltane, spring may have been well underway, and the remnants of winter were receding into memory. But now, at Summer Solstice, summer is really here. Now, the Sun reaches her peak.
This is the Sun’s most powerful day of the year. Days with longer periods of daylight enable us to do more than we can during the darker times of the year. We can enjoy the warmer weather before the hotter and more uncomfortable days which will come later in the season. And before fall, and then winter, returns, with cold, frigid weather replacing the warm pleasant days we now enjoy.
The Sun’s Powers, Solar Cycles & Climate Change
The Sun is life supporting and life sustaining. Without that majestic orb, life as we know it wouldn't be possible on our planet. The cyclical rising and descent of the Sun as it appears in our sky as the Earth revolves around it affects and even causes the cycles of the seasons. Even more than just the cycles of the seasons from one year to the next is caused by the Sun. The Sun itself goes through cycles or periods spanning years, decades, and even centuries, with alternating cycles of increased or decreased solar storms, coronal mass ejections which reach our planet, frequency and extent of sun spots, and other solar activity. These cycles of solar activity are the prime cause for the cyclical periods of climate change on Earth.
What is called “climate change” is not new. It has occurred many times before during Earth’s history. In the past there have been periods of what may be called “global cooling”. Some of those periods brought on the ice ages. Past ice ages came to an end when cycles of “global cooling” were followed by periods of “global warming”. Cyclical periods of what today would be called “global warming” melted the glaciers. When “global warming” melted the glaciers, the glaciers retreated from landscapes they had dominated for centuries. Some of these past periods of “global warming” occurred before there were any humans living on the planet.
Even during recorded history there were periods which have been called “mini ice ages”. These “mini ice ages” didn’t result in massive glaciers covering huge portions of entire continents as in prehistoric times, but they did affect seasonal weather patterns which in turn profoundly influenced human history. These “mini ice ages” ended during periods of what some today would call “global warming”. These earlier cycles of “global warming” happened before what is called the industrial revolution, and before there were any of the carbon emissions resulting from the burning of fossil fuels some would have us believe is causing current “global warming”. These earlier cycles of “global warming” and “global cooling” were caused by the cycles of the sun, and not by anything humans did or could have done.
In the past power-hungry adherents of a discredited ideology and its failed collectivist systems promised a virtual utopia if they would be given total power over all aspects of the lives of individuals over whom they ruled. They were and will always be able to bring only despotism, poverty, and misery. Now these con artists have latched on to the scam of “man made global warming” to deceive a newer generation into giving them total power to “fix” a problem humans didn’t and couldn’t create, and about which these neo-marxists cannot and will not ever be able to do anything effective. One of their often repeated lies is the allegation that almost all scientists agree with their “man made climate change” narrative. A growing number of scientists, while not disputing that there are periods of climate change (calling them “climate change deniers” is another falsehood), do argue that climate change is caused more by solar cycles than by anything humans can do. If any of these neo-marxists, who like to call themselves “progressives” but are little more than recycled communists, really cared about the planet and the people on it, they would be looking for ways to help people cope with periods of climate change better than people were able to in the past. Instead, they want to deceive or coerce people into submitting to the tyranny they want to again impose.
Ancient Monuments Honoring the Powers of the Sun
Our ancestors seemed to have known and appreciated the significance of the Sun and what the Sun's energies do for--and to--the Earth, nature, and, of course, us. The Sun was revered and her powers invoked since times shrouded in the mists of prehistory. The Sun was especially celebrated when it reached its highest point, and on the day when the period of daylight is the longest.
Around the world ancient monuments can be found which are aligned with the Sun on the Summer Solstice, and at which rituals and festivals were held. Stonehenge, on Salisbury Plain in England, was built so that an opening was aligned with the rising sun on the morning of the Summer Solstice. For millennia the Summer Solstice was marked and celebrated at Tara Hill, ancient capital and seat of the high king of Ireland. Nearby Newgrange was constructed in such a way as to make it possible to observe the passage of the sun on the longest day of the year. Predating Newgrange are the Carrowkeel Cairns in Sligo, Ireland. At sunset the Sun’s rays shine through an opening in one specially constructed cairn at sunset from a month before to a month after the Summer Solstice.
The Ring of Brodgar, also known as the Temple of the Sun, on the Orkney Islands off the coast of Scotland, aligns with the sunrise on Summer Solstice. There is an ancient stone temple in Callanish, on the Island of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. Four rows of stones lead out from the center to the four directions of north, east, south, and west, forming a huge Sunwheel. This temple is located so far north that on Summer Solstice the night sky doesn’t really completely darken. The location for this ritual center may have been chosen because of this.
Pommelte, or Pommelte Henge, has also been called Pommelte Woodhenge or the German Stonehenge. An ancient ritual site located in Northern Germany, Pommelte Henge was constructed in seven concentric circles, with openings facing the sunrise on significant astronomical dates throughout the year.
Arkaim, located in the southern Urals, has been called the Stonehenge of Russia. Legend has it that at least one of the ancient Gods visited this site. There was an ancient temple at which annual rituals were held. Spiral shaped buildings were erected to accommodate honoring the Sun and Deities associated with the powers of the Sun. Sections of the monument were constructed to enable the observance of at least 18 astronomical events, including the Summer and Winter Solstices and both equinoxes.
Midsummer?
In modern times we now date the beginning of summer with the Summer Solstice. Find it curious that this holiday, marking for us the beginning of summer, is also called Midsummer? In some areas in earlier times, summer was considered to start on Beltane or May Day (called Summer Day by Germanic peoples) on May 1. Summer ended with Lughnassadh or First Harvest on August 1. The Summer Solstice, occurring each year around June 21, is about midway between the beginning and the end of summer. Hence the name "Midsummer." On the Norse calendar the month in which Midsummer or the Summer Solstice occurs is named Midyear.
The Magick of Midsummer Eve
Midsummer Eve, or the evening before the day of the Summer Solstice, is one of three nights of the year when the veil between the worlds is thin enough for spirits from other realms to cross over into our world. The other two nights are May Eve and Samhain. In some areas of England it was believed that if one stayed up all night in a circle of stones on Midsummer Eve one would be able to see the Faeries.
Bonfires were lit not only to celebrate with light and fire the Sun at her highest and most powerful day of the year, but also, depending upon local customs, to either ward off bad spirits or to welcome or guide good spirits or the visiting spirits of ancestors. Similar to festivities on May Day or Beltane, people would dance around bonfires to encourage and invoke as well as to celebrate the fertility and life-giving energies of the Sun. It was believed that a couple jumping over a bonfire invited the Sun's energies to ensure their fertility. Good luck for the year would come to someone who jumped over a Midsummer bonfire. In many areas honey was harvested to make mead, in the belief that during the month of Midsummer honey is at its best. Hence the origin of the term "honeymoon".
Swedish girls bathed on Midsummer Eve in rivers believed to have special powers, to invoke the invigorating fertility and power of the Sun's energies. Bonfires would be lit and danced around. In many locales a fiery sunwheel was ritually rolled in to a bonfire. Even a Midsummer tree would be decorated and danced around, like a May Pole.
Kupala Celebrates the Powers of the Sun
To honor the powers of the Sun, Slavic peoples in what is now Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Poland, celebrated the holiday known as Kupala. Originally a Pagan holiday, as with many holidays and traditions in Western Europe, Kupala was co-opted by those imposing an alien creed who distorted it into something other than its original purpose. It is believed Kupala was originally celebrated on the Summer Solstice. Those hijacking this holiday moved its celebration to around July 6 (Haymoon 6 on the Norse calendar), to coincide with one of their holidays for yet another one of their countless “saints”. Despite this, Pagan meanings survived and Pagan customs were able to be continued. While still celebrated on the later July date, Kupala is now being reclaimed by Pagans in Eastern Europe.
While celebrating Kupala, young people fashion wreathes into crowns or headbands which they wear to symbolize purity. They dance around, and in some areas even leap over, bonfires. It was believed that on the evening of Kupala, rivers, lakes and other local waters have special powers. Wreaths were crafted into little rafts, on which were placed lit candles, to float onto rivers or lakes. This was done for divination, and to appeal to the powers of the waters now energized on this night. As it was believed to happen in Western Europe on Midsummer Eve, in Eastern Europe it was believed that on Kupala night spirits cross over to visit us in this world.
In some areas girls bathed in rivers, streams and lakes, to benefit from the special powers of the local waters. This custom is similar to the one of Swedish girls who also bathed in local waters on Midsummer Eve to invoke the invigorating powers of waters there. Sweden and other areas of Scandinavia is where the Vikings originated. Vikings also explored and colonized areas in Eastern Europe. Vikings from Sweden were known as the Rus. It is from them that the name “Russia” comes. It is speculated that the custom of girls bathing to benefit from the powers of local waters on this night may have been imported from Scandinavia. Or, perhaps, this custom observed in two areas may have a common ancient Eurofolk origin.
Gods & Goddesses of the Sun
When the Sun herself was not revered, it was celebrated in relation to a God or Goddess who was either represented by or associated with the Sun or some attribute, benefit or power of the Sun. Apollo is the Hellenic God of the Sun. Sunna is revered as the Germanic Goddess of the Sun. Summer Solstice festivals in Lithuania honored the Sun Goddess Saule.
Guardian of the Sacred Flame
The Romans honored the Goddess Vesta by celebrating the Festival of Vestalia during days leading up to the Summer Solstice. Vesta is the Roman Goddess of the hearth, home and the family. Vesta was guardian of as well as symbolized by the domestic and civic flames which were kept continually burning in individual homes and in the city’s temple. This was the only time of the year during which women other than the virgin priestesses dedicated to this Goddess were allowed into the Temple of Vesta. And only women were allowed into Vesta’s temple. Roman women came into the sacred temple to make offerings, pay homage, and to call upon Vesta to aid them with her powers.
Although the Festival of Matronalia was held in her honor earlier in the year, June is named after the Roman Goddess Juno. Juno is the Roman patroness Goddess of weddings and of marriage.
Celtic Midsummer
The Druids celebrated the Celtic Midsummer with the holiday called Alban Hefin, or Light of the Shore. Druids would ritually gather mistletoe, which has special powers during this time of the year. Herbs harvested on Midsummer are the most potent. Midsummer was celebrated as a magickal and healing time of the year. For modern Pagans who know and believe, it still is for us today. The energies of the Sun may be invoked during this holiday for healing and invigorating, as well as to aid in divination and other forms of magick.
Throughout Ireland Summer Solstice was celebrated with the lighting of bonfires. Ashes from these fires was thrown onto the fields as an offering, to protect that year’s crops, and to assure a bountiful harvest. In County Limerick an annual festival dedicated to the Goddess Aine was celebrated, during which bonfires were lit in her honor. Aine, whose name means “radiance”, is a Celtic Goddess of summer and of wealth. She is associated with the Sun, and with prosperity and the personal sovereignty which it enables. Aine is also a Goddess of love, and, as among our Eurofolk peoples elsewhere, the month of June, during which the Summer Solstice occurs, has long been a popular month for weddings.
Gods of the Waxing & Waning Suns
A modern Wiccan tradition is to honor the Oak King, God of the Waxing Sun, who, when he reaches his highest point on Summer Solstice, is replaced with the crowning of the Holly King, or God of the Waning Sun. The Oak King is reborn and returns with the birth of the Sun at the Winter Solstice six months away.
The Fairest & Most Beloved of the Aesir
For some Midsummer Eve is the time for the Feast of Baldur. Baldur, son of Odin and of Frigga, is revered as the fairest and most beloved of the Aesir. He can be called upon for inspiration and for help in striving to be a nobler person. In some lore it was said that Baldur is so handsome, cheerful and gracious that he emits light, and he has been called the Shining One. Breidablik, Baldur’s hall, was said to be the most beautiful in Asgard. Baldur's wife is Nanna. Forsetti, son of Baldur and of Nanna, is a God of justice whose verdicts are said to be the fairest of any possible.
Attempt to Forestall Prophesied Doom
Frigga became alarmed when Baldur had a series of dreams foretelling his death. In a related saga a seeress or Volva, who was identified as the Goddess Gullveig, foretold the doom of Baldur as part of a series of prophecies which included the prediction of Ragnarok. Frigga went throughout the realm to obtain oaths from all things and beings that they would not harm Baldur. Thinking it was unlikely to pose any serious threat, the mistletoe was not made to swear an oath to never harm Baldur.
When it became evident that nothing was going to harm Baldur, others of the Aesir made a game of throwing objects at him only to see them harmlessly bounce off and away. Loki did not join in these festivities. With an inner nature which grew ever more evil, Loki became jealous of Baldur and came to despise him. Shapeshifting into another form, he deceitfully learned the secret that the mistletoe was the only thing which had not sworn an oath to not harm Baldur. Loki obtained mistletoe, and fashioned it into a spear. Loki then approached Baldur's blind brother Hodur, who was sitting aside, despondent because his handicap made him unable to join in what by then had become a regular fun time. Loki deceived Hodur with a promise that he would help him aim his spear. When the sharp spear made of mistletoe was hurled, it killed Baldur. When the fire was lit for Baldur's funeral pyre, Nanna in her grief threw herself upon the burning ship to perish and be with him. Nanna was then reunited with Baldur in the realm of Hel.
Rescue Mission to Hel & Back
Baldur’s brother Hermod volunteered for the mission to try to arrange for the resurrection and return of Baldur. Borrowing Odin’s eight-legged steed Sleipnir, Hermod made an epic journey to the realm of Hel, queen of the underworld which is named for her. Hel was so moved by Hermod’s plea that she consented to allow what would be an unusual return of someone from her realm to any of the realms of the living. However, she stipulated that she would allow this only if it could be proven that, as Hermod said, Baldur was indeed so beloved by all. This could be proven to her satisfaction only if everything and everyone would weep for Baldur. Before he departed to return to Asgard, Hermod was able to meet with Baldur and Nanna. Nanna gave Hermod a robe of linen for Frigga, a finger ring for Fulla, and other gifts for other Goddesses. Odin had placed his ring Draupnir on Baldur’s pyre as a departing gift for him to have in the afterlife. Baldur handed Draupnir to Hermod to be returned to the Allfather.
Hope Sabotaged & Treachery’s Retribution
When Hermod returned to Asgard with this news, word quickly spread. There was widespread mourning and weeping for Baldur. When he heard about this, Loki angrily slinked off and shapeshifted into the form of a giantess. When Loki, disguised as a giantess, was found at an entrance of a cave, he not only was the only one who was not weeping, he was instead the only one who was openly laughing and rejoicing over Baldur’s demise. Loki responded with mockery and derision to pleas that he relent, and join everyone else in weeping for Baldur. Loki maliciously sabotaged not only the resurrection and return of Baldur, but also of Baldur’s wife Nanna, who would have returned with him to the living in Asgard.
When it was discovered that this giantess was really Loki, he was hunted down and captured. As punishment, Loki was bound in a cave. It was decreed that there he was to remain. Skadi added to his punishment by suspending a poisonous snake above him so that it slowly dripped searing venom on him. Skadi did this to avenge the death of her father for which Loki was partially responsible.
Loki’s wife, the Goddess Sigyn, obeyed the decree that Loki not be unchained. But she also stayed by Loki’s side, and held a bowl above him to catch the dripping venom from the suspended serpent to prevent it from spilling on him. When Sigyn had to leave to empty the bowl, venom dripped on him. When this happened, Loki writhed in such agony that it caused the earth to tremor. Sigyn may be seen as a tragic innocent in this tale. Sigyn herself had done no wrong. Not the only one to ever have been with Loki, Sigyn was the only Goddess of the Aesir to have become his wife. Because she was faithful and remained with Loki despite all that had happened, Sigyn is esteemed by many as a Goddess of fidelity and loyalty.
Ragnarok
It was prophesied that Loki will eventually escape. After his escape, he will flee to his erstwhile kinsmen, the Jotuns. He will then lead the Jotun enemies of the Aesir to attack Asgard. Thus begins Ragnarok. It was also prophesied that Loki will be killed in battle by Heimdall. Heimdall guards the Bifrost bridge entrance to Asgard. Heimdall may be viewed as an archetypical patriot defender of the realm of the Aesir.
The saga ends with the prophecy that Baldur will be resurrected and will return during Ragnarok. There are some who consider Baldur’s rebirth to symbolically occur on Winter Solstice, and celebrate Baldur’s prophesied return during that holiday.
Beloved Allmother
This holiday may also be a good time to honor Baldur’s mother, the Goddess Frigga. As Odin’s wife and Queen of Asgard, Frigga sits enthroned next to Allfather Odin. Frigga’s name means “beloved”, and may be cognate with ancient Proto-European root words which meant “wife”, or “to marry”. Revered as Allmother, Frigga is Goddess of marriage and of motherhood. She is a protector of the home, of families, and of children. Frigga was invoked by women wanting to have children of their own, and for help during childbirth.
Friday is named as Frigga’s day and in her honor. Among the handmaidens in Frigga’s court are the Goddesses Var (who witnesses and oversees oaths, including marriage vows), Saga (keeper of history and lore), and Eir (Goddess of healing). Frigga is known to sometimes have—and to conceal--foreknowledge of coming events. Frigga is sometimes portrayed weaving at a spinning wheel. Some speculate that Frigga’s weaving may have some association with the weaving of Wyrd by the Norns. Frigga can be called upon for guidance in the search for wisdom and hidden knowledge.
Connect With Fellow Pagans
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And to everyone who receives this newsletter, your own poetry, invocations, notices, or other information you may want to share with other Pagans, are always welcome.
Our True North EuroFaith
The term “true north” refers to a line which leads directly to the north pole, regardless of the wrong direction misleading guides or defective instruments may erroneously point you. “True north” has become a phrase meaning “one’s true course”. To “find your true north” means to discover and follow the real direction in which you should go. When we say “Pagan”, we mean the religion of our pre-Christian Eurofolk ancestors and the Gods and Goddesses they believed in and venerated. Rowana coined the term “EuroFaith”, which more correctly describes the religions and traditions of our Eurofolk ancestors we now revive, believe in and practice. This includes honoring and revering the real Gods and Goddesses of our people who now call to us to return. We seek to rediscover and follow the True North of our revived Pagan EuroFaith rather than go in a direction to which some would mislead us. We want to believe in and practice our TrueNorth EuroFaith.
We invite anyone who wants to heed the call to return to the real Gods and Goddesses of our people, and to revive and practice our religion and traditions, to join us in fellowship in our True North EuroFaith. We encourage each of you to share our newsletters with your friends and fellow Pagans. Tell others they can be added to the list to receive this e-newsletter by contacting us at gandalf.freyasson@gmail.com.
Frigga! Allmother! Queen of Asgard!
You are the only one
Odin permits to sit on his high seat!
Odin’s high seat from which
you may surveil all throughout the Nine Realms.
Frigga! Seer Goddess!
Knower of events who foresees what may come.
She who is keeper of hidden knowledge,
of deep wisdom, of many secrets.
When she chooses she may bless some
by revealing arcane knowledge.
Mother of Baldur!
Mother of what is noble, of what is good, of what is honorable.
Goddess Queen who esteems honorable marriage.
Frigga, who undertook the mission
to assure the safety of the Shining One.
Matriarch of the Aesir, to whom we may entrust
the protection of the home and of the family.
She who we may trust to oversee the safety of children
safeguards the future of our people!
Hail Frigga!
© Gandalf Freyasson
Baldur! Shining One!
Beloved by the Aesir.
Beloved by those of us in Midgard
Who are blessed to know you.
You epitomize all that is good, all that is virtuous.
May you ever be a shining light
To inspire us to be nobler,
As you show us we can be.
Yet a being whose heart
Grew ever darker dwelled in your land.
He deceived many to be among your compatriots.
Yet inwardly he was always the treacherous alien
Who sought only to harm.
The foul imposter and deceiver
Hated you for your inner goodness.
You fell victim
To the jealousy and malice of the trickster.
Yet you were not fated
To remain forever vanquished.
You arise anew, greater than before.
Like you, if any of us may fall victim
To the deceit and malice
Of the traitor, of the alien,
May we too be empowered to arise anew.
Baldur, we mourn your untimely demise.
Baldur, we rejoice in your revival and return.
Baldur, you are a beacon who inspires
All that is virtuous, all that is good,
All that is noble.
© Gandalf Freyasson
Journey Prayer
to
the Goddess of the Land
“O powerful Goddess, Ruler of the forest glades,
Warrior defending the wild woodlands,
You, who have the power to orbit the vast Universe,
Travel the airy heavens and halls of the spirit world.
I invoke your guidance, O Great Goddess
of the unknown pathway, of the traveler’s journey!
I seek your help in my search for a new dwelling place.
Give this Earth walker your keen journey skills.
Tell me which land place will welcome me,
Where I may live safely and prosperously
And where you will smile upon my efforts.
If there be such, guide me to that dwelling place
you wish me to inhabit and raise my songs to you.
Help me find the fertile acre I see in my mind and spirit.
Lead my steps to a hearth that is mine to kindle.
Guide me to where I can worship you through my days,
and where, with my heart’s love and my voice chanting,
I shall dedicate my home as a temple to you.
I will locate my life there and give tribute to you.
My hall will ring of your praises at every Full Moon!
My candles will burn on altars for you.
The flame of your spirit within me will be well tended.
Guide my steps, O Great Goddess! Aid my Life Journey!
Bless my Hunt for a new home place!
© Rowana Seymour, the Druid
