The Summer Solstice, also known as Midsummer or Litha, is a pagan holiday that celebrates the longest day of the year, when the sun is at its highest point in the sky and the day is at its longest. It marks a time of abundance, growth, and the fullness of life. In pagan traditions, the Summer Solstice is seen as a time of great power and energy. It is believed that the veil between the physical and spiritual worlds is thin, and that magic and divine energy are heightened. Many pagan rituals and ceremonies are performed during this time to honor the sun and nature, and to embrace the energy of the season. One common practice during the Summer Solstice is the lighting of bonfires.
With all the witchy folklore around these mountains, visitors may be surprised to hear that Germany is a country that doesn’t traditionally celebrate Halloween. Instead, it has Walpurgisnacht, the Witches’ Night, which takes place every year on April 30—and the Harz are ground zero for the celebrations.
One of the largest Walpurgisnacht celebrations in Germany takes place at the Hexentanzplatz , the Witches Dance Floor, a mountain plateau looming over the sleepy town of Thale. In 1913, a German modern dancer and choreographer named Mary Wigman started the Witch Dance to bring expression, feeling, emotions and healing to dance.
One common practice during the Summer Solstice is the lighting of bonfires. These fires represent the power and light of the sun and are said to have purifying and protective properties. People gather around the bonfires to celebrate, dance, and make offerings to the gods and goddesses associated with the sun.
A sisterhood of dancing witches puts some kick in the Halloween season
"Shabby" witch Robin Jay rehearses with her fellow dancing witches at Riverfront Park in North Creek on Wednesday.
- Gretta Hochsprung
"Shabby" witch Robin Jay rehearses with her fellow dancing witches at Riverfront Park in North Creek on Wednesday.
- Gretta Hochsprung
"Shabby" witch Robin Jay rehearses with her fellow dancing witches at Riverfront Park in North Creek on Wednesday.
- Gretta Hochsprung
A group of witches performs a kickline to the AC/DC hit "Highway to Hell" Wednesday in North Creek.
JOHNSBURG — Robin Jay thrust her hips side to side and chasséd around her broom.
She hoisted the riding stick over her head and cackled, her long green nose boasting one tremendous wart.
“Shabby,” as she is know when in costume, joined some of her enchanting friends Wednesday afternoon for a rehearsal in Riverfront Park in North Creek.
This is the second year this group of about 20 witches — and one warlock — has donned hag-like costumes, grabbed their brooms and entertained people all in the name of fun.
“Our whole vibe is that we perform outside and free,” said Jay, who founded the local group based in North Creek.
In 1913, a German modern dancer and choreographer named Mary Wigman started the Witch Dance to bring expression, feeling, emotions and healing to dance.
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In her tattered, mismatched clothes, "Shabby" witch Robin Jay rehearses with her fellow dancing witches at Riverfront Park in North Creek on Wednesday.
The coven started practicing in August and offers free performances throughout September and October, leading up to Halloween. They will perform at 11 a.m. Saturday on the Riverfront in North Creek and at 3 p.m. at the Moose Festival in Indian Lake.
They practice twice a week in North Creek. The rules are simple. Come when you can, and do the best you can. And everyone has to be vaccinated.
“When we come together, we create this energy that’s just such a positive force in our life,” Jay said. “When we bring that out to people in the world, it just feels so good.”
The mostly retired ladies also perform at local schools, and the kids go crazy for the costumes and cackles.
"Glamour Witch" Nancy Beaudin, left, rehearses with her coven of dancing witches in North Creek on Wednesday.
“The spirit that it creates everywhere is so beautiful,” said Susan Murante, who calls herself the publicity witch. “People love it, and they get up and dance with the witches when the dance is over.”
The Witches Dance brings just as much joy to the performers, as they hoist their legs in a kickline to the AC/DC hit “Highway to Hell.”
Martha Merchant, also known as “Mama Wolf” because she wears a fur stole around her neck, always wanted to be one of the June Taylor Dancers on “The Jackie Gleason Show.”
Entranced by the character of Hilda’s playing and unable to resist the song’s siren call, Phillip takes Hilda under his wing. The two start a witches’ dance of their own, a whirlwind that sweeps them toward the International Paganini Competition. When their curtain falls, one will bask in the music world’s acclaim—and the other’s world will be shattered completely.
Another tradition during this time is the picking of herbs and flowers, which are believed to have special healing and magical properties when harvested on the Solstice. These herbs and flowers are used in spells, rituals, and decorations, and are seen as powerful tools for harnessing the energy of the season. The Summer Solstice is also a time for feasting and merry-making. It is a time to celebrate and enjoy the abundance of the harvest and the joys of life. Many pagan communities and individuals come together to share food, drink, and music, and to honor the sun and the blessings it brings. Overall, the Summer Solstice is a significant pagan holiday that celebrates the power of the sun and the energy of the summer season. It is a time of joy, abundance, and connection with nature and the spiritual world..
Reviews for "Exploring the Rich History of the Summer Solstice Pagan Holiday"
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