Praise the Sun & Turn the Wheel: Midsummer Song and Ceremony
A weekend of songs, folklore and ritual to celebrate the longest day of the year.
A virtual workshop series: Saturday, June 20th: 10:00am-12:00pm EDT & 3:00pm-5:00pm EDT and Sunday, June 21st: 3:00-5:30pm EDT
Songs of Fire, Magic, & Divination
Midsummer (also known as Saint John’s Day and Litha) has long been a raucous, sensual, and beloved holiday across much of Europe. From Scotland to France and Scandinavia to the Baltics, the longest day of the year is celebrated with bonfires, divination, bathing in rivers and lakes, herb harvesting, and revelry! These traditions are alive in songs that send energy to the sun, honor summer plants, and recount summer romance and loss.
Immersing You in Animist Traditions
In this virtual weekend workshop, learn a delicious mix of traditional and new songs to connect you with this ancient celebration. Taking place on solstice eve and solstice day, we’ll learn folk songs and ballads from across Europe, with a healthy dose of modern chant mixed in! We’ll explore the folklore behind the songs and draw together the commonalities across cultures that show us the magical meaning of this time of year. During our last session, we’ll finish our time together with some song-centered ritual for Midsummer!