Summer Solstice/Alban Hefin
The Sun is revered at the point of its maximum power at the noon of the year when the days are longest, this being one of four astronomical, solar festivals, the summer solstice (Welsh: heuldro) occurs on the longest day of the year, usually the 21st or 22nd June in the Northern Hemisphere and the 21st or 22nd December in the Southern.
It is a festival of blessings, pleasure and fullness, commonly termed the Light of the Summer, where the Solar God is crowned by the Goddess as the King of Summer for the Welsh Druids it is known as Alban - meaning Zenith/Top and Hefin (the ‘f’ is pronounced as a ‘v’) is the word for Summer and is known to be masculine energy, therefore, the festival is known for being at the height of summer with all things growing strong and an indicator to what a harvest will be like.
Of all the known events in Druidry this is mostly associated with Alban Hefin, the time where the wonderful white-robed figures filmed at the dawn rituals at Bryn Celli Ddu and Stonehenge are testament to this, as the thread of tradition connects the 5,000-year-old temple of Stonehenge with ritual activities through the Bronze Age, the Iron Age, and into modern times.
Everything is at its maximum light, full colour and growing, of which after the 21/22nd then days start to wane, the light slowly begins to creep away. We celebrate the joy and fulfilment, as this time brightens our cells with the strength of her love and pleasure.
The union of the seasons that nourish and nurture us, bringing life to fruition and Love matures into an explosion of life as we give gratitude for what enriches our life.
In Wales, boys and girls, bedecked in garlands of flowers, went dancing and spinning around the great fires. Young men whirled flaming brands around their heads to form sun-wheels, or performed feats of daring such as jumping through the tall flames. When the flames died down to glowing coals, dancers held hands and skipped through them, being careful not to break the chain, which would bring bad luck. The ashes from the fires were believed to have magical powers, and farmers carefully collected them to scatter around their fields or the animals’ barns
A time for the plucking of St. John’s wort, the golden, star-shaped flower that was first of all herbs to be gathered on St. John’s Eve. Called the ‘blessed plant’ in Wales, renowned throughout the Celtic lands for bringing peace and prosperity to the house, health to the animals and a bountiful harvest
At every summer’s end, the Holly King fought and won a battle with the Oak King for the rulership of the year, and reigned supreme over the dark season. At the end of the winter, another battle was fought, this time won by the Oak King, who ruled triumphantly over the summer months.
