This feature was first published in June 2024 in My Mensa Weekly, our exclusive newsletter for Mensa members. Find out more about becoming a Mensa member here.
By Jonathan McIntosh
Sunseekers, rejoice! Every year, around 20-21 June, summer solstice is celebrated across the northern hemisphere. The longest day of the year happens when the Earth is tilted towards the sun at its most extreme angle. Its name derives from the Latin solstitium, which means ‘sun standing still’. From sunrise festivities to bonfires, there are wonderful traditions in northern climes that usher in the season of the sun. We shine a light on some of these.
Stonehenge spectacle, UK
Many ancient monuments around the world have been designed around the sun’s annual cycles, with some aligning with the solstices – summer and winter – in special ways. Arguably, one of the most famous of these sites is Salisbury Plain’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, Stonehenge. The complex of monuments here, which dates to c. 2500 BCE, includes the stone circle itself, the Avenue, Woodhenge and the Durrington Walls’ Southern Circle and its avenue.
During the summer solstice the sun rises behind the Heel Stone in the north-east part of the horizon and its first rays shine into Stonehenge’s heart, creating an awesome alignment for onlookers who come from across the world for the event.
Little is known about Stonehenge’s origins or purpose; some theorise that this architectural wonder was built to worship Earth and sun deities, or as a landing place for aliens. Colourful interpretations aside, its secrets continue to be studied.
Jónsmessa, Iceland
Iceland’s summer solstice celebration takes place on 24 June and heralds a time for positivity and even a little magic. Icelandic folklore includes stories of talking cows, seals that take human form and elves interacting with people on this day.
Icelanders also take full advantage of Jónsmessa’s midnight sun with walks to breathtaking locations such as Fimmvörðuháls, a 15-mile stretch between the glaciers Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull, proving popular among the more adventurous revellers. Sporty types enjoy teeing off long into the night at Akureyri Golf Club’s annual Arctic Open tournament, which was established in 1986.
Noche de San Juan, Puerto Rico
When the clock strikes midnight on June 23, some Puerto Ricans will plunge backwards into the ocean in an activity aimed at warding off negativity and fostering good luck. There is considerable debate surrounding the optimum number of dunkings, with some arguing that three is sufficient while others prefer between seven and 12 submersions.
Regardless of which number is best, these leaps of faith form part of Noche de San Juan celebrations on the eve of Saint John the Baptist’s Nativity, which also include beach parties featuring food, music, games and dancing.
Xiazhi, China
In ancient China, feminine (yin) forces and the Earth were worshipped on the longest day of the year, with masculine (yang) forces and the heavens honoured on the shortest day. Old summer solstice traditions saw women gifting colourful fans and perfumed sachets to each other. However, food lies at the heart of today’s solstice celebrations. In Beijing and Shandong, it’s considered auspicious to tuck into noodles on the summer solstice and dumplings on the winter solstice.
Midsommar, Sweden
Many Swedes head to the countryside to enjoy the festival of Midsommar, which has its roots in Paganism. Partygoers don flower wreaths and traditional costumes, including flowing skirts and aprons for the women and trousers paired with long socks for the men. They will take part in the traditional midsummer dance Små grodorna, meaning ‘the little frogs’, around maypoles decked in flowers and leaves.
Revelries also feature family games (femkamp) such as sack races, croquet and kubb – which involves tossing sticks to knock down wooden blocks. Energy is kept high with servings of pickled herring and boiled potatoes with dill, strawberries and cream, and Aquavit liquor swigged to the drinking tune of Helan Gar.
Superstition and magic also abound. Some walk barefoot in the morning dew to boost their health, while others believe young women will dream of the man they’ll marry if they collect seven types of flowers and go to sleep with the posy under their pillow.
So, however you decide to celebrate this year’s summer solstice, with your own traditions or borrowed from those above, we hope they blow any lingering winter cobwebs away.
From fortifying our immune system to helping us maintain strong bones, there are plenty of reasons to soak up the sunshine.
