The sun’s rays come over the horizon, on the solstice, the most sacred of days. The solstice goes by many names, the day of high light, midsummer, Alban Hefin. Across the globe and through time, it has been celebrated since …
honoring the sun
A Summer Solstice Sunrise Observance Ritual
My alarm goes off at 4:00am. I’m conveniently camping right along the lakeshore, after having spent the evening watching the sunset on the eve of the summer solstice with members of our grove. My kayak is ready to launch, and …
Awaiting the Sunrise: Holding an Outdoor Winter Solstice Vigil
A group of people make music and merriment near a roaring fire during the longest night of the year. Their mission: to await the sunrise and hold vigil through the darkness with feasting, celebration, and the burning of the sacred …
Living the Wheel of the Year: Spiritual and Sustainable Practices for the Summer Solstice
The Summer Solstice, what we call “Alban Hefin” in the Druid Revival tradition, marks the beginning of high summer in my part of the world, and many activities of this time period focus on harvesting and honoring the power of …