June Solstice

June Solstice in United Kingdom, for the years 2018, 2019 and 2020.

United Kingdom	2018	2019	2020
June Solstice	Thursday 21st June	Saturday 21st June	Sunday 21st June

June Solstice

The history of the June Solstice

Since ancient times, the June solstice, which always fell around the 21st of June has been celebrated, because it is one of the two points at which the Earth is tilted as far as possible away from the Sun. However, there are two solstices, and the other, the winter solstice, heralds the turning of the Earth back to the sun, and the June Solstice starts the long journey of our planet away from the sun, with the days getting shorter and shorter. Since the advent of the Roman calendar and Christianity, the solstices have been celebrated. The solstices have always a time to ward off evil spirits, to celebrate abundance and give thanks. The June solstice is also celebrated for the ease that the longer days of spring and early summer have brought, and the crops and trees, which will be harvested over the following months of plenty are often blesed.

What happens at the June solstice

The solstices are such old festivals, that there are many ways to celebrate. The June solstice, has Christian, Wicca and Pagan significance, and each enjoy their own way of celebration. At the solstices, many people see it as a time of celebration of all that's good in life, and the Pagans and Wiccas will build a bonfire, drink, eat and dance the night away. The Christians also build bonfires and make merry at the solstices, but also celebrate the June Solstice as St John's feast day, which technically is on the 24th. English writer, Shakespeare, even wrote a play, ' a Midsummer's Night Dream', which is famous for being put on in open air theatres during June. The solstices in general are a good marking point in the year, and signal the seasons changing.