The summer solstice is a powerful time of the year and is celebrated and acknowledged differently by lots of different people. The Summer Solstice is the longest day of sunlight hours of the year and experiences the maximum intensity of the sun’s rays. This time of year, often referred to as midsummer, representing historic cultures when only two seasons were celebrated, was a a time of agricultural fertility and the beginning of harvest time. It is believed that it’s the day that plants have healing powers and magical properties (which they do everyday, hehe). A time to celebrate nature and the magic of summer. A day celebrated in witchcraft for its power and significance. A day associated with fertility and romance.
Growing up, the longest day of daylight meant for me, longer evenings playing in the street with our neighbours and splashing in the pool playing Marco Polo or our very special made up game that we creatively called ‘the key game’. It meant eating barbecues outdoors while the sun was up, at our backyard glass table with three different salads, with my favourite containing apple, mayo, celery and sultanas. It meant falling asleep watching our Christmas trees lights dance; with its abundance of handmade ornaments, with one particular foam reindeer getting smaller each year as we enjoyed the sensation of pulling it apart in our fingers, excessive tinsel and a star that sat wonky on top as the tree was too big to fit inside but still used every year. It meant listening to Hi-5’s Christmas album, singing ‘Santa wear your shorts’ and trying to pause ‘5 days til Christmas’ on the cd player at the right day of the countdown.
But the Summer Solstice, usually falling on the 22nd of December in the southern hemisphere, also meant something else to my sister and I; it’s our half birthday. Yes, the very significant and largely celebrated milestone of the half birthday. Where from then on, you can proudly say when someone asks your age ‘no, I’m not 7. I’m 7 and a half.’ We would always joke about getting half a present, which never came. We often acknowledged this milestone between ourselves starting our days with ‘happy half birthday!’ A day that in reflection held so much significance for us as sharing a birthday also with our mum was the biggest day of the year alongside Christmas. This was our childhood version of Christmas in July.
This year, the Summer Solstice holds additional significance for me. It’s our first event for The Village. A dream and vision we’ve held for a long time, which has come to fruition at a time that feels right. It is the start of us choosing the future we want to live and the way of life we want to live while raising our babies. It’s the beginning of us bringing regular opportunities for creativity and connection to Kinjarling and sharing the things I love and enjoy the most with the world. We are acknowledging this magical day of nature with a circle ceremony by the ocean, making garlands to capture summer and display in our homes for the festive season and ending the longest hours of daylight with a dip in the ocean.
It is also my baby Ray's first summer solstice. Ray was named to honour and celebrate both the power of the sun and the ocean and the creatures that call it home. It is very fitting that we enjoy the sun and the ocean in unison on this day, with our precious bub by my side.
This to me, is all more than a half present and it may just be my best half birthday yet.
With gratitude,
A
Comments