June 21 (1998) at 10:03am GMT marks the Summer Solstice this year, the holiday known to most pagans as "Midsummer". Also known by the Druids as "Alban Heruin", this holiday ranks, it seems to me, something like sixth in the hearts of today's paganry, following behind the "Big Two", Samhain and Beltaine, and probably behind Lughnasadh ("Lammas", if you must Christianize it), Imbolc (yes, that would be "Candlemas"), and Yule (its OK, that one's pagan).
I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Midsummer--not least because the weather's usually great for camping and outdoor rituals--but more importantly because of what it represents.
We are now in that arc on the wheel of the year when the Oak King is in his greatest glory, standing, in most traditions, tallest beside the Lady. Theirs is now a mature relationship full of bright promise for the harvest. As one who practices a brand of paganism revering the balance of the male and female principles, I am always insired by my meditations on this holiday.
I hope you are, too.
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