Midsummer

Midsummer's Day : the Summer Solstice
The word "solstice" comes from the Latin "sol" meaning sun and "stice" to stand still. Midsummer's day - June 21st - marks the summer solstice, the day when the sun reaches its northernmost point and stops before beginning its journey back to the south of the equator. The sun reaches its highest point in the sky and Midsummer's Day is the longest day of the year. Midsummer Magic. People thought that midsummer was a time of magic and wonder-working. Evil spirits were said to appear, and people gathered herbs and flowers to protect themselves. One of the most powerful was the plant known as 'chase-devil', which we now call St John's Wort. People used it in potions, and wove the flowers into garlands to decorate their houses or protect their farm animals.