The Ruined Town Talisman The Ruined Town Talisman is a mysterious artifact that holds great power. Legend has it that it was discovered in an ancient and deserted town, buried deep within the wilderness. The town itself was said to be cursed, with a tragic history that has long been forgotten. According to folklore, the town was once thriving and prosperous. Its inhabitants were known for their skilled craftsmanship and legendary trade routes. However, a devastating event occurred, casting a dark shadow over the town.
The tradition of burning a Yule log is believed to have come from Germanic and Scandinavian pagan practices, though it’s often incorporated into Christmas celebrations as well.
I am Scandinavian so Yule could be the way I work with it, but I prefer Winter Solstice in my personal practice, said Olsen, who has been practicing for over 25 years. Other Summer Solstice traditions surround the ashes from a midsummer bonfire, which can be used as a protection against misfortune by being formed into an amulet, or spread across a garden to ensure a good harvest.
However, a devastating event occurred, casting a dark shadow over the town. No one knows for certain what exactly happened, but it is believed that a calamity struck, leaving the town in ruins and its inhabitants scattered. The artifact itself is described as a small, intricately carved stone, about the size of a hand.
Why do we celebrate the Summer Solstice?
First things first! The term ‘solstice’ can be traced back to the Latin word ‘solstitium’, combining the words ‘sol’, meaning sun, and ‘-stit’ or ‘-stes’, meaning standing or still. The name derives from the Romans’ observation that during a solstice, the sun’s position in the sky at noon didn’t seem to change much throughout the day, but instead appeared motionless.
Astronomically speaking…
The Summer Solstice marks the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, the end of spring and the start of the astronomical summer. It takes place between 20 th and 22 nd June each year, the reason for the shift in date boiling down to the fact that our calendar doesn’t precisely reflect the Earth’s rotation, and so we have to allow some wiggle room!
Both the summer and winter solstices form part of a wider astronomical calendar, flanked by two equinoxes in the spring and the autumn, and other daily and monthly cycles throughout the year. Incidentally, ‘equinox’ comes from the Latin ‘equi’ meaning equal, and ‘nox’ meaning night. On these two dates, day and night are of equal length before the days begin to get either lighter in the spring, or darker in the autumn.
During the solstices, the Earth’s axis tilts us at either our closest or farthest point from the sun. The hemisphere tilted most towards the sun sees its longest day and shortest night (the Summer Solstice), whilst the hemisphere tilted away from the sun sees its shortest day and longest night (the Winter Solstice.)
Prehistoric significance
Now that’s the science of a solstice explained (phew!), but just why do we humans place so much significance on the solstices and the days surrounding them? We know that the solstices certainly held importance for Neolithic humans, who may initially have started to observe the Summer Solstice as a marker for planting and harvesting crops. Stonehenge, our most famous Neolithic monument, was certainly built to reflect the solstices, and it has long been debated whether one of its functions was to act as ancient solar calendar. The site’s megaliths are aligned with the direction of the sunrise on the Summer Solstice, with the sarsen stones lined up to trace the movements of the sun. It’s likely that on the solstices people gathered at the monument to celebrate, though little archaeological evidence remains of the ceremonies that may have taken place there.
Interestingly, Archaeoastronomers (yes that’s an actual job, amazing!) think that the midwinter solstice may actually have been the more important focus for the builders of Stonehenge, due to the entire monument’s alignment facing toward the setting midwinter sun. As you enter the site along the main avenue and walk towards the standing stones, the position of the Winter Solstice’s sunset is the main focus directly ahead, perhaps in the same way that the most important parts of a church are located ahead of you as you enter. There’s a WEALTH of information on Stonehenge’s association with the solstices on the English Heritage website, and we fully encourage you to fall down that rabbit hole and check it out!
The Summer Solstice throughout history
Our fascination with the solstices didn’t end with our Neolithic ancestors. According to some ancient Greek calendars, the Summer Solstice marked the start of the New Year, and began the one-month countdown to the opening of the famous Olympic games. In the days leading up to the Summer Solstice, the Romans celebrated the Vestalia, a religious festival to honour Vesta, goddess of the home and hearth. Before the rise of Christianity, Slavic, Germanic and Celtic tribes celebrated the midsummer with bonfires, believing that they would boost the sun’s energy and guarantee a good harvest. It was believed that bonfires could also help banish demons and evil spirits. Following the establishment of the Christian church, solstice celebrations were often combined with St John the Baptist’s Day on the 24 th June, the date of Midsummer’s Day.
N.B. The Summer Solstice and Midsummer’s Day are actually separate dates, with the later falling on the 24 th June. Midsummer is often now referred to as the period of time commencing with the Summer Solstice and leading up to Midsummer’s Day.
Significance of the solstice in Paganism
Today, the celebration of the solstices is mostly strongly associated with Paganism. The Pagan festival of Litha is one of the most important in the Pagan religion, commencing on the eve of the Summer Solstice it celebrates the midsummer and the power of the sun god. Magic is thought to be strongest during the Summer Solstice, and it’s also the time when the veil between this world and the next is at its thinnest, eep! According to Pagan folklore, evil spirits in particular may walk the earth more freely at this time, and in order to ward them off, people wear protective garlands of herbs and flowers. One of the most powerful of these is the ‘chase devil’, also known as St. John’s Wort, because of its association with St. John’s Day.
Other Summer Solstice traditions surround the ashes from a midsummer bonfire, which can be used as a protection against misfortune by being formed into an amulet, or spread across a garden to ensure a good harvest. ‘Sunwheels’ were also used to celebrate midsummer in some Pagan communities. A wheel or ball of straw was lit on fire and rolled down a hill into a river. It was believed that if the fire went out before hitting the water then a good harvest was guaranteed.
Maypole in Eaton Socon c.1914 – picture credit: Cambridgeshire Community Archive Network
Local traditions
Over the centuries, the June solstice has inspired many midsummer celebrations involving bonfires, singing, and Maypole dancing. Many towns and villages across Britain still mark the day with fairs and festivals, like the one that takes place on Midsummer Common in Cambridge.
Local historian C.F. Tebbutt records in his writings a few other local traditions that took place in Huntingdonshire. In Bluntisham in the late 19th century, a midsummer feast was once held, with stalls selling sweets and gingerbread, and a garlanded hoop hung over the street. Records from Waresely in 1679 record the firing of blanks from guns at a midsummer festival, intended to scare away fairies and evil spirits. Finally, court records from Stilton in 1830 tell of one Thomas Wade, who was brought before a court for “walking up and down disguised by having a pair of painted ram’s horns on his head and a green veil over his face… at the same time also making strange and frightful noises…” Though whether this was actually to do with midsummer celebrations is anyone’s guess!
And there we have it! It can’t be denied that the Summer Solstice is a significant occasion astronomically, spiritually and historically. However you choose to mark the day (though we’d recommend not taking inspiration from Mr Wade), be sure to enjoy the longest day to its fullest!
https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Capture1.png 548 794 Kelly Garner https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/st-neots-museum-logo.svg Kelly Garner 2020-06-19 10:38:30 2020-06-19 10:40:32 Why do we celebrate the Summer Solstice?
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Every year, the coven does a different mythos of the solstice from around the world. “For this year, we’re doing traditional Celtic view on it with the death of the Holly King and then the re-birth of the Oak King,” said Syleena.
It is said to be made from an unknown material, emitting an ethereal glow. The talisman is adorned with symbols and runes that are believed to hold the key to the town's history and the power it possesses. Many believe that the Ruined Town Talisman has the ability to grant incredible fortunes and heal wounds, both physical and emotional. It is said that those who possess it are blessed with good fortune, while those who seek its power for malicious purposes will be met with misfortune. Throughout history, there have been tales of individuals who have possessed the talisman and used its power for both good and evil. Some have used it to rebuild their lives and the lives of others, while others have used it to amass wealth and gain power. Regardless of its impact, the talisman remains a highly sought-after artifact, with many adventurers and historians dedicating their lives to finding it. The Ruined Town Talisman continues to captivate the imagination of many, as its true power and purpose remain a mystery. Its existence serves as a reminder of the fragility of civilizations and the potential consequences of wielding great power. Whether it is a harbinger of fortune or doom, the talisman's allure persists, drawing both those who seek to uncover its secrets and those who wish to harness its power..
Reviews for "The Ruined Town Talisman: An Object of Controversy and Debate"
- Sarah - 1 star - I found "Ruined town talisman" to be incredibly slow-paced and boring. The story dragged on and lacked any real excitement or suspense. The characters were underdeveloped and one-dimensional, making it difficult to connect or care about their fates. The writing style was also lacking, with clunky dialogue and repetitive descriptions. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
- Ryan - 2 stars - I was intrigued by the concept of "Ruined town talisman", but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The world-building was confusing and poorly explained, leaving me feeling lost and disconnected from the story. The plot felt disjointed and lacked a clear direction, making it difficult to stay engaged. Additionally, the writing style was overly verbose and flowery, making it hard to follow along. Overall, this book had potential but failed to deliver a cohesive and satisfying narrative.
- Jessica - 2.5 stars - While "Ruined town talisman" had some interesting ideas, I found it to be poorly executed. The pacing was erratic, with moments of intense action followed by long stretches of tedious and unnecessary detail. The characters were inconsistent and made questionable decisions, making it hard to root for them. Additionally, the ending felt rushed and unsatisfying, leaving several plot threads unresolved. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations.