Summer solstice 2022 Pagan: What is the pagan summer solstice?

The summer solstice, also known as festival solstice or midsummer, occurs when one of Earth’s poles has its maximum tilt toward the Sun.

The word solstice is derived from the Latin “sol” (sun) and “sistere” (to stand still).

The summer solstice occurs during summer; this is the June solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and the December solstice in the Southern Hemisphere.

Depending on the shift of the calendar, the summer solstice occurs sometime between June 20 and June 22 in the Northern Hemisphere and between December 20 and December 23 in the Southern Hemisphere.

The same dates in the opposite hemisphere are referred to as the winter solstice.

Since prehistory, the summer solstice has been seen as a significant time of year in many cultures, and has been marked by festivals and rituals.

For the majority of cultures, the day involves enjoying sumptuous feasts, lighting bonfires, singing and dancing to traditional songs, and reconnecting with nature.