“I don’t have ducks. I don’t have a row. I have squirrels, and they’re at a rave.”

Midsummer: folklore, magic and history

It's the longest day of the year, followed by a short, magical night: midsummer. The perfect time to celebrate summer with flowers and plants, butterflies in your tummy and your favourite people around you.

The origin of midsummer

When you celebrates midsummer, you’re part of history. Midsummer is a centuries-old Germanic tradition. People celebrated the summer solstice, the day on which plants were said to have healing and magical properties. Bonfires were lit to protect against the forces of darkness, which were said to run free during the shorter days. So it was a festival to celebrate Nature, and more specifically Summer.

DANCING AROUND THE MAYPOLE

In Sweden for example you dance around the maypole with your friends, family or lover at midsummer. The maypole is decorated with daisies, ears of corn, ivy, fragrant jasmine and summer flowers, together with optional ribbons, bows and lanterns, and it’s the natural centrepiece of the celebration. Between dances you enjoy bream, smörrebröd, a tart with climbing fruit and a nice drink in the sunshine. There’s plenty of time for that since it’s the longest day of the year.

GOOD LUCK AND DREAMING ABOUT LOVE

It’s a day on which you can sit with grass under your feet and a floral crown on your sun-warmed hair, languidly dreaming about everything that the lazy days of summer will bring you. Speaking of which: if you’re single, you should place some flowers under your pillow on Midsummer Day so that you’ll dream about your future lover that night. And naturally you’ll decorate your house with plants, since that brings good luck. What a great celebration!


Summer Facts

1. Summer is different depending on which hemisphere you are in One of the four distinct seasons, summer typically begins in June and continues through August in the Northern Hemisphere, while in the Southern Hemisphere it runs from December to February.

The summer season is distinguished by its hot temperatures, extended daylight hours, and increased amount of sunlight.

2. The Summer solstice is the longest day of the year The summer solstice, which occurs around June 21 in the Northern Hemisphere and December 21 in the Southern Hemisphere, is the day that is officially recognized as being the longest of the year.

As the summer solstice arrives, the sun will be at its zenith, which is its highest point in the sky, and the days will be at their greatest duration.

3. The word “summer” originates from the Old English word “sumor” The word “summer” originates from the Old English word “sumor,” which meant “together” in the original language.

The origin of the name may refer to the aggregation of individuals during the warmer months or the concept of everything converging and thriving during the summertime.

4. Summer is characterized by hot temperatures Summer is characterized by hot temperatures, plenty of sunshine, and extended daylight hours.

Due to the confluence of these several characteristics, the summer is a very popular time for engaging in outdoor pursuits such as swimming, hiking, and camping.

5. Summer is a popular time for vacations The summer months are a popular time for individuals to take trips or go on vacation, which makes this period of time a busy one for the tourism business.

This is especially true for locations that are known for their pleasant climate, as well as those that are located in close proximity to the ocean or other types of natural attractions.

6. Summer is a time of festivity and celebration Summer is a time of festivity and celebration in many different cultures, including the United States and Canada, where it is known as Independence Day and Canada Day, respectively.

Parades, fireworks, and several other celebratory activities are frequently a part of these festivities.

7. Summer is the most popular time for weddings A large number of engaged couples select the balmy and sunny months of summer for their nuptials, making summer another busy season for wedding planners.

The summertime is the most popular time for holding weddings outside in the fresh air.

8. Summer can be unbearably hot The hottest and most unpleasant part of summer, often known as the “dog days of summer,” typically takes place in the late months of July and August in the Northern Hemisphere. The phrase “dog days of summer” alludes to this time period.

It was thought in ancient Greek and Roman mythology that the star Sirius, also known as the “Dog Star,” rose and set with the sun during this time, causing the weather to be particularly hot and humid during this period of time. This belief led to the origin of the expression “dog days of summer.”

Temperatures normally reach their peak during the dog days of summer, and the heavy humidity during this time of year can make it feel even hotter than it already is.

9. The Midnight Sun Game is a one-of-a-kind yearly baseball game The Midnight Sun Game is a one-of-a-kind yearly baseball game that takes place in Fairbanks, Alaska, on the day that marks the beginning of summer.

The game begins at 10:30 PM and is played without any artificial illumination; this is done to take advantage of the fact that there is daylight in Alaska at this time of year even though it is winter.

The inaugural Midnight Sun Game was played in 1906 between the local baseball team and a team from a town that is quite close by. Since then, the game has become a tradition that is celebrated annually.

Since that time, the baseball game has been turned into an annual tradition, and the first pitch is now thrown at precisely 10:30 p.m., which is timed to coincide with the moment when the summer solstice occurs.

White baseballs are used for the game because they are easier to see in the strong sunlight where the game is played.

The players wear sunglasses to shield their eyes from the glare of the sun, while the supporters in attendance typically dress up in costumes and carry posters and banners to show their enthusiasm for the event.

10. Summer refers to the three warmest months of the year In the field of meteorology, “summer” refers to the three warmest months of the year, which can be different depending on which hemisphere you’re in.

The first day of meteorological summer in the Northern Hemisphere is June 1, and it lasts until the last day of meteorological summer on August 31. It begins on the 1st of December in the Southern Hemisphere and continues until the 28th or 29th of February.

The term “summer” as defined by meteorology is most commonly applied to statistical and climatological research, including the examination of recurring temperature trends and the prognostication of upcoming weather conditions. Instead of taking into account the axial tilt of the Earth in relation to the sun, it is based on the annual cycle of temperature.

11. The origin of the word “solstice” can be traced back to Latin. The origin of the word “solstice” can be traced back to Latin. It comes from the Roman words “sol” and “sistere,” which mean, respectively, “sun” and “to stand still.”

The solstice is the point in time when the sun seems to be at its highest or lowest point in the sky during the given season. This period in time is referred to by the word.

The summer solstice, which typically takes place between June 20 and June 22 in the Northern Hemisphere, is the time of year when the sun is at its most elevated position in the sky and when daylight lasts the longest.

On the other hand, the winter solstice takes place somewhere around December 20-23 in the Northern Hemisphere, and it is during this time that the sun appears to be at its lowest point in the sky and daylight hours are at their shortest.

Since ancient times, people have been aware of and cherished the concept of solstices. Several civilizations have created stories and traditions that are centered around the changing of the seasons.

12. The iron that makes up the Eiffel Tower in France can expand It is possible for the iron that makes up the Eiffel Tower in France to swell due to the high temperatures experienced during the summer months.

Because the majority of the Eiffel Tower is built of iron, it is susceptible to thermal expansion and contraction as a result of shifts in temperature.

When the iron in the tower is subjected to high temperatures, such as those that occur during the summer months, it has the potential to expand. As a result, the tower may grow a few inches taller.

The architects who designed the Eiffel Tower anticipated this extension and built in a number of safeguards to protect the structure from any harm that might result from it. For instance, the tower is constructed in such a way that it will sway ever-so-slightly in the wind.

This serves to distribute any stresses that may be created by the thermal expansion of the structure. In addition, the tower is equipped with expansion joints, which permit it to move slightly without being damaged in any way.

13. The month of July is designated as National Ice Cream Month In the United States, the month of July is designated as National Ice Cream Month. In 1984, when he was in office, President Ronald Reagan announced that the month of July would be designated as the official month during which people could celebrate and eat ice cream.

During the month that is designated as National Ice Cream Month, ice cream stores and producers frequently offer unique deals, discounts, and even new flavors in an effort to attract customers.

Many individuals also take advantage of the opportunity to indulge in their favorite frozen confections, such as a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream or a more complex sundae or milkshake.

14. The term “midnight sun” refers to the period of time during the summer when there is continuous daylight The term “midnight sun” refers to the period of time during the summer when there is continuous daylight in certain regions of the world, such as the North.

This is caused by the tilt of the Earth’s axis, and it has the potential to have a considerable impact on the behavior and routines of people and animals who live in these places.

15. Summer is a popular period for music festivals Summer is a popular period for music festivals, with events like Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Bonnaroo attracting big crowds from all over the world. These festivals frequently offer a broad lineup of musical acts, ranging from well-known headliners to emerging musicians from various genres.

Music festivals offer fans a one-of-a-kind opportunity to see their favorite artists perform live, discover new music, and connect with other music enthusiasts.

Aside from music, many festivals provide a variety of activities and attractions, such as food vendors, art exhibits, and interactive experiences.