Summer solstice 2011

[Harvestman]

It is on Tuesday 21st June. Anyone got any plans?

I was thinking of a midweek lightweight overnighter between shifts at work, but I seem to be working until 10pm that day, which makes it difficult.

 

[dave53]

hi mike im up for it have a word with al see whats going on with him see if he is up for it to regards dave

 

[Neumo]

Yeah, we could all meet near stonehenge for a 'flash mob/camp' event.

 

[blacktimberwolf]

Well I was planning on running naked through the woods with at least half a dozen of my female nieghbours & ending the evening in a bachanal orgy.........but I hesitate now, you've thrown up some exciting ideas.

 

[rik_uk3]

Hippies and Druids celebrate it, for me the only special thing about the 21st is that I'll be in Portugal at the time visiting a good friend for a few days closely followed by Gran Canaria again...I hate retirement.

 

[Toddy]

I like being aware of the turn of the year, and it's not a religious thing, it's an Earth/ Sun thing

The Solstices and the Equinoxes neatly quarter the year, and in doing so they are very much part of the celebrations of the seasons.

Tbh, relevant to everybody not just the religiously inclined

Me ? Oh the shortest night's worth seeing through to dawn Hopefully it'll be dry and clear, I like to see where the stars are in their course at the quarters. Doesn't always happen though, it's the UK, it's inclined to be Atlantean (i.e. sodden wet) but I try to get a look round about the time.

Enjoy

cheers,
Toddy

 

[Harvestman]

For me it isn't so much a celebration, as an astronomical phenomenon. I find it interesting. Anyway, it seems like a good night to try a minimal gear camp as there will be more light than usual.

We make our own reasons for going out to camp, and sometimes they are are a bit thin if examined closely (like this one). Whatever, I'm looking forward to it.

Blacktimberwolf's idea sounds much better though! Wonder if the girls at work would be up for that...

 

[Toddy]

I recently heard skyclad described as moonbathing
We just called it skinny dipping when we were teenagers sneaking into the river for a swim. No worries about tan lines though

cheers,
M

 

[luckylee]

I recently heard skyclad described as moonbathing
We just called it skinny dipping when we were teenagers sneaking into the river for a swim. No worries about tan lines though

cheers,
M

lol..........

 

[Toddy]

It was a verrrry long time ago and I mind it was baltic Everywhere we camped we went for a midnight swim.....can't see anyone advertising that in health and safety nowadays.
I think the biggest difference is the amount of booze the young have access to now. We didn't, we couldn't afford to drink the way they do now, so we just got high on life instead

Is it just me ? or is it freezing cold today ? It was roasting early on this morning, then the rain came down (again) but I'm thinking of putting the heating on for a bit. Blooming cold Solstice night if it's like this. Woolly blankets, folks

cheers,
M

 

[JonathanD]

Hmmm, maybe a local overnighter if I can arrange it. The dawn chorus is petering out in the next few weeks and it would be a good idea to get out and enjoy it without any work getting in the way.

 

[Qwerty]

I have a funny love/hate relationship with the summer solstice. I really love the long evenings and late sunsets but I'd have to admit to being quite sad about the sun reaching it's northernmost declination and well, that's as good as it gets, from then on it heads south again and before you know it it's autumn again. It's like christmas morning after all the presents have been opened and the mess tidied up again.

They have the most wonderful bonfire celebrations in Norway to see in the "night". Good times that I'm sorry we don't emulate this far west.

 

[Scipio]

Well, as a Pagan and druid "in training" I cannot wait for the summer solstice. I can`t make it to stonehenge unfortunately but I will be celebrating it by making my prayers and offerings to my gods.

For us Druids it`s a very special time, when the gods are at their most powerful. I will prepare my special meal, make my offerings then revel in the greatness of nature.

 

[Toddy]

I hope you enjoy your night but I have to remind folks that there are three 'don't discuss' topics on the forum, and religion is one of them.

cheers,
Toddy

 

[Scipio]

I don`t think anyone was discussing religion Toddy. I just stated what I will be doing for the solstice and that I am Pagan.

 

[Toddy]

Too close. Please desist.

You're new, we've been here before, it just gets rancourous.
Not worth the hassle.

cheers,
Toddy

 

[blacktimberwolf]

I hope you enjoy your night but I have to remind folks that there are three 'don't discuss' topics on the forum, and religion is one of them.

cheers,
Toddy

What are the other two topics we dare not mention on this forum then ?......

 

[blacktimberwolf]

Well, as a Pagan and druid "in training" I cannot wait for the summer solstice. I can`t make it to stonehenge unfortunately but I will be celebrating it by making my prayers and offerings to my gods.

For us Druids it`s a very special time, when the gods are at their most powerful. I will prepare my special meal, make my offerings then revel in the greatness of nature.

If you skip out the praying bit & jump straight to the meal & the revelling..................sounds good to me.

 

[Melonfish]

I'm also a druid but follow the winter solstice as the larger festival

i guess the big differences between the two is that you really wouldn't want to run around skyclad during the winter solstice
as per tradition though i shall be up all night, going to try and get out into the wilds as it were but being a school night i may not be able. but i'll still have a wander in the woods methinks and listed to the birds sound the sun up.
pete

 

[Martti]

I spending the week as usual, or "kokoa koko kokko kokoon" as we say here in Finland.

Midsummer bonfire

Vihta