Watching the Summer Solstice from Home

Image by Howard Walsh from Pixabay

All my life, I've wanted to go to England and watch the sunrise on the Summer Solstice through the stones at Stonehenge. I'd read about it as a teenager and have spent years reading all I can about the alignment of this site. I just wanted to witness that for myself just once. Well, today I sort of got to have that dream come true.

I would like to personally thank those with English Heritage for doing a live feed on Facebook. I didn't get to watch the live feed of the sun setting at Stonehenge, but as I was sitting here getting ready to write this post, it dawned on me that I could still catch the sunrise. 

Though sunrise is still several minutes away (as I write this), watching the feed has given me some sense of what it was like to witness this event throughout the ages. Not just during the time of those that built the monument, but all those who came afterward and had no explanations for those stones.

As I watch, I feel the eerie silence as you wait for that moment when the sun is in its peak position. The skies are cloudy, casting an ominous vibe. You can see a chilled mist in the air, blurring the horizon beyond the stones.

There are only a few people scattered about as officials try to keep the world safe while still allowing the magic of this morning to spread throughout the entire world. It's an amazing feeling. 

I have to admit that I thought there would be a little more excitement to it, but I can't complain. I know that this is the only way someone like me could ever see an event such as this. I also can't say that even if I did manage to see this in person someday, that I wouldn't be standing in the wrong place anyway. 

Thank you again, English Heritage, for allowing people such as myself, to witness the beauty of this ancient rite. 

The Greeks Deities are Still Alive and Well

Image made possible by InThePantheon.com

What would you say if I told you that not only were the Greek Gods and Goddesses actual beings but that they were still alive and well today. You'd probably call me a crazy woman. Though that may be true, I'm thrilled to pass along the message that what I say is true. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you In The Pantheon.

A little over a year ago, I had the absolute pleasure of meeting some of the best writers I've ever been associated with. I noticed a "writers wanted" post on Twitter. They were looking for writers who would like to write in the voice of a Greek god or goddess. And being someone who's loved ancient mythologies her entire life, how could I pass this opportunity up? I applied and was happily accepted. 

They asked me which deity I wanted to write, but the one I really wanted was already filled. I was hoping to write as Hecate but ended up writing as the goddess Demeter. I grabbed the job by the horns and gave the Goddess of the Harvest my own personal country girl vibe. I loved every minute of it, but was unfortunately unable to fulfill my obligation and had to back out. 

However, just because I don't write for this amazing site anymore, I still believe this is one of the coolest writing sites online today. It's like a soap opera for the digital age.

Here you'll find all of the regulars. Zeus, Hera, and all the names you'll recognize from your childhood. You'll also find a few names you might not remember and a couple you've never heard of at all. But don't think this is a site where you're kids can go learn about the ancient gods. No, this isn't your textbook ancient history site. 

This is the story of the gods, goddesses, titans, and muses as they would live in the modern world. It's all the same in-fighting from before, but with a more modern idea of sex and intrigue. Each deity is voiced by a single writer. These men and women have created something wonderful within this site. 

Since I left, the great people behind the site have created even more than I could have ever dreamed. They now have a YouTube page, an online store and are in the process of launching their own publishing company, Rewritten Realms, with their first anthology titled "Immortal Fears". I can't wait until this book comes out. I'm excited. 

If you love the Greeks myths, you've got to check out InThePantheon.com. You'll never look at the gods the same way again.

© Christine Graves 2020

Celebrating the Summer Solstice

Photo by Hello I'm Nik 🎞 on Unsplash

It is believed by most that ancient civilizations celebrated the Summer Solstice as a way to mark the longest day of the year. Not because they knew it would start getting hotter as the days went on, but because the days would begin to grow shorter and the annual death of the land was on its way.

When our ancestors began farming the land, they quickly learned that they only had a small window of time in which to plant, grow, and harvest enough food to get the clan through the harsh winter months. The more accurate they were, then more food they could accumulate. 

Most modern scholars believe that Stonehenge in England was an enormous observatory that framed the sun on the longest day of the year. It was their sign that they were on the decline of time to tend to their fields. 

Many cultures, such as the ancient Chinese and ancient Romans, celebrated the sacred feminine around this time of year. Goddesses were worshiped in hopes of blessed marriages or to help maintain a girl's virginity. 

The idea of getting married around the summer solstice was due to the fact that many ancient people viewed this time of year as one of great fertility. German couples would jump over bonfires in hopes of securing a successful future, while young women of some Slavic tribes would make wreaths of flowers to float down the river, hoping to be retrieved by a suitable mate.

Image from Witchgarden from Pixabay

There are a few who now think that one of the reasons our ancient ancestors celebrated the solstice was due to the fact that the sun made us feel better. Our bodies gained nutrients from the sun, as well as the soil. We were more active, food was easier to find, and it took less effort to maintain family structures.

Today, most of us celebrate the summer solstice with picnics and family gatherings. We still celebrate the power of the sun on its longest day of the year, knowing that from there, the days will get progressively shorter. We still light bonfires, gather with friends and family and enjoy the warmth of the sun that lingers on into the night. 

Even in our technologically advanced age, we are still the people of the sun.

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© Christine Graves 2020