PENHALIGON’S GUIDE TO CELEBRATING THE SUMMER SOLSTICE

Salutations, the summer solstice has arrived! Solaris dawns for the longest day of the year, bringing with it all manner of celestial celebration. Many believe the sun – call it Apollo, Amun Ra, Sol (or now Solaris) – is at the peak of its power on this day, and have devised all manner of rituals to revel in. Let’s take a stroll through time and space and bear witness to these eccentric ceremonies. From peculiar pagan practices to time-honoured traditions, one’s journey shall be enlightening, indeed.

Ah, the fabled formation of stupendous stone. Sadly, the secrets of Stonehenge shall remain lost to history, however an audacious astrologer – William Stukeley was his name – rediscovered their alignment with the sun’s movement in the early 1700s (they were certainly on to something in the Neolithic age, wouldn’t you agree?). Since then, people of all persuasions – pagans, druids, ladies and gentlemen of great esteem – have flocked to the landmark to celebrate Solstice.

Now, which scent to wear? Perhaps Solaris, which dawns on the skin with notes of blackcurrant and lemon, as crisp as a sunrise upon the ‘henge itself.

The solstice tends to mark the sun entering the Tropic of Cancer, and heralds in the fourth sign of the zodiac. Whilst many celebrations revolve around fire (more on that later, dear reader), Cancer is a cardinal water sign. To mark the occasion, one could draw inspiration from a particular pagan practice. Picture sunrise. One approaches a well or a spring from the east, circles it thrice, and makes an offering of silver pins or coins. Et voila: blessed be your luck for another year.

The solstice goes by many a name: midsummer is another (and quite apt). Sweden’s midsummer festival embodies the magic of solstice splendidly: stroll barefoot in the morning dew and place a floral crown upon your head for fertility. As heart notes give way to head notes of one’s Solaris crown, ylang-ylang and jasmine as fragrant as a headpiece start to bloom.

On Solaris’ longest day, it is rumoured the veil between the fae world and ours is at its thinnest: there’s the scent of magic in the air (or is that neroli and tiare flower from one’s fragrance?). Folklore comes to life: pixies and fae flutter by the firelight on the peripheries of one’s sight. You wouldn’t want them to get too close, though – carry around with you a sprig of rue herb to keep them at bay or wear one’s jacket inside out in the ultimate act of befuddlement.

Evening descends but the merriments continue. With Solaris setting and the final notes of cedar and vanilla spilling off the skin, it’s time to light the fire. From Austria to Iceland, Sweden to Alaska, bonfires light up the sky around the world in order to boost the sun’s strength. The Finnish festival Juhannus celebrates the solstice with a large bonfire dedicated to Ukko, the god of sky, weather, and harvest from Finnish mythology.

During the Pagan celebration of solstice, called Litha, bonfires would be lit on Midsummer’s Eve to keep evil spirits at bay and ensure a good harvest (one can never be too careful, after all). Oftentimes, the more daring villagers would leap over the bonfire – one could imagine a summersault – to bless themselves with good luck. With clothes so singed and tinged with smoke, perhaps it would be time for another spritz of Solaris to freshen up for further festivities.

Once the bonfire burns out and the ashes cool on the ground, it’s another Litha custom to collect the remnants and make an amulet. Press the ashes into clay and make a protective talisman to guard oneself from misfortune. Wear around your neck with pride, just as one would wear their fragrance (a lucky amulet in itself, would you agree?). It’s also common practice to sprinkle these ashes in your garden to ensure a bountiful crop and harvest for the year to come.

Solaris sets as Luna rises. Her time in the sky is short this night, but her power is no less. Whilst myriad celebratory traditions revolve around the sun this day, the moon also gets her moment in the spotlight (or should we say starlight?). Perhaps start off with a seductive spritz or two of Luna and let bergamot and jasmine breeze over you in the moonlight.

Picture sunset. A crowded field in Croatia. Solaris dips below the horizon, and the congregated crowd begin their steadfast watch: a night of revelry under the stars, waiting for the sun to re-emerge. Here is a place of magical moments. Fireworks. Bonfires. Music. As the night wears on, Luna’s scent waxes to a woody fir balsam, reminiscent of the bonfires lit in honour of the lengthiest of days.