The Pagan Heart
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June-July 2005 Issue
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Holy Day - Personal Reflections of the Festivals We Celebrate Midsummer Reflection
By Diancecht Goibniu
Midsummer, also known as Summer Solstice is my favorite sabbat. Not because it is a celebration of masculine energy, but because it is the time of year when I truly take notice of the amazing transformations my children have gone through over the past year. My oldest daughter seems to have grown two feet over the past year. She is becoming quite the young lady, full of sassy attitude and an amazing compassion that has the ability to humble anyone. She's recently learned how to tie her own shoes and skip bars on the monkey bars, not to mention her ability to finally able to swing by herself on the swing - much to the delight of her mother and I. Our younger daughter, conceived at Bealtaine, is truly a gift from the faery folk; we call her our little pixie. Every day she never ceases to amaze me with the pure joy that she radiates, infecting everyone with her smile. Her curiosity and innocent spirit remind me to look at life a little less seriously, and to find the joy in the little things that so many of us take for granted. I mention my children because though I always have the desire to nurture and protect them, I am reminded more so of this desire that aches in the depths of my soul every summer. Fathers are honoured at Midsummer for they plant the seeds of life. Their desire to lovingly protect and nurture their children runs deep. At Midsummer Fathers are the messengers of their childrens dreams, carefully carrying their hopes and prayers to the great spirits. This year I am also reminded to give a special thanks to the Goddess, as she is manifest in my wife. The Great Mother gives life to all that lives, and when she doesn't need to give any more, she continues to be fruitful and offer more than she needs to. Through hardships, struggles and triumphs the Mother continues to give more and more of herself, even when there may not be anymore to give. My partner has been challenged this year by the great spirits, and she has gracefully continued to nurture our children and me, even when she has had nothing left for herself. Truly a gift from the Gods, my children and I are truly blessed to have such strength in our family. Summer is a time when our family relishes the long days and the warm evenings, for we know that they wont last for much longer. Lazy afternoons at the beach turn into evening strolls to get ice cream. Walking along the beach under starry skies, we listen to the waves break along the shore while the bioluminescent phytoplankton make them glow from within as the surf crashes agains the shore. Our daughters thrive in the warm sun of Lugh, dancing and laughing and growing strong under the watchful eye of the ancient Keeper. Our Midsummer celebration is a family one. We create beautiful dream pillows and dream catchers to capture positive energy, drawing it down promoting good dreams. We go to the beach to warm ourselves under the sun and then cool off in the ocean, the sacred waters of life, death and rebirth. In the evening when it is dark we light candles to represent the ancient powers of life and we feast upon foods that remind us of the brightness and sweetness of life. Sweet smells of roses from the altar drift through the air and our children grow sleepy after a long day. These joyful days of summer are bittersweet in a way. Midsummer reminds me that nothing lasts forever. My children are growing up before my eyes and like everything else, my wife and I must learn to let go of them, bit by bit, year by year. Letting go isn't easy; with every summer solstice we learn to let go, allowing our children and each other to grow and evolve as we continue on this journey of life. |
Primary Article - Summer Solstice
Secondary Article - Alban Hefin
Secondary Article - Egypt's Wep-renpet - the New Year
Secondary Article - Ukon Juhla
Return to the Index of articles for Seasonal Festivals
