Ancient pagan rituals on the summer solstice were elaborate and significant celebrations that marked the longest day of the year. These rituals were practiced by various civilizations, such as the Celts, Romans, and Germanic tribes, who believed in the power of the sun and its influence on their crops and fertility. **The summer solstice, also known as Midsummer, was a time of great celebration and reverence for these ancient pagans.** One of the most well-known rituals was the lighting of bonfires, which were believed to drive away evil spirits and bring blessings to the community. **The bonfires served as a focal point for the festivities and were often lit on hilltops or near sacred sites.** People would gather around the bonfires, singing, dancing, and engaging in various forms of merriment.
The Sand Bar, abandoned since Sandy, and the adjacent arcade building were demolished last week to make way for a mixed-use apartment building. We hope the oceanfront location will induce the owners to build something the neighborhood will approve.
The Graybeard is doing his annual full-court press to get people to buy Pot-o-Gold raffle tickets which support The Graybeards, the non-profit which has done so much for Rockaway through the years. Sea Gate, a relatively affluent working-class Coney neighborhood that runs from West 37th Street to Norton s Point on the peninsula s West End, offers a powerful lesson in the merits of private versus public ownership.
** People would gather around the bonfires, singing, dancing, and engaging in various forms of merriment. In addition to bonfires, **another common ritual on the summer solstice was the gathering of herbs and flowers**. It was believed that the plants gathered on this auspicious day held special powers and could be used for healing and protection throughout the year.
High Tide
Wow! It’s a pretty underrated fact that Rockaway produces some amazing swimmers. Tess Howley set national records at Sacred Heart High School and remains an Olympic-hopeful and will attend the University of Virginia starting in the fall of next year. On the boys’ side, a new bullet in the water has emerged. Sean Green, just a sophomore at Molloy High School, recently became the youngest swimmer to break the 15-minute mile this year with a 14:57.83 finish. According to SwimSwam.com, “That is the fastest mile by a 15-year-old dating back at least as far as 2001, the furthest that the USA Swimming database goes back reliably. Using the all-time top 100 lists, though, we can reasonably deduce that he is possibly the youngest swimmer ever to break 15 minutes.” Like we said, wow! Sean is the son of Keith and Katie Green of Belle Harbor.
Rick Horan is selling tickets again. The Graybeard is doing his annual full-court press to get people to buy Pot-o-Gold raffle tickets which support The Graybeards, the non-profit which has done so much for Rockaway through the years. Last year’s winner-take-all raffle was like Rockaway Powerball as the pot surpassed $250,000. There’s a limit on ticket sales this year, so don’t miss out. If you or you and a couple of friends want to play (and help a great organization!) you can contact The Graybeards directly or call Rick Horan at 917-345-3700 and he’ll get a raffle ticket to you. A ticket is $100.
So, in one of the wackiest elections we’ve heard about in years, Stacey Amato is leading Tom Sullivan by one vote in the NY State Assembly race. More than 30,000 ballots were cast and at last count Stacey was leading by one vote. The Courts are involved and after a decision on Tuesday, The Board of Elections must contact 94 voters to affirm/ cure votes that are in dispute. How long will this take? Will they find the voters? Are they in Florida? Are they alive? Will more lawsuits happen? It’s a mess. We bet the Assembly Seat will be open until well after others are sworn in in January. In some states, they literally flip a coin to settle things! Sounds reasonable!
The Sand Bar, abandoned since Sandy, and the adjacent arcade building were demolished last week to make way for a mixed-use apartment building. We hope the oceanfront location will induce the owners to build something the neighborhood will approve.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. is inviting talented Queens high school seniors interested in pursuing higher education to apply for African American Heritage Scholarships, to be awarded by the Borough President’s African American Heritage Committee during Black History Month early next year. Deadlines, applications, and other info can be found at: queensbp.org/AAHCScholarshipApp/
On Tuesday, December 20 there will be a groundbreaking ceremony at Arverne By The Sea for a long-awaited Challenge Prep middle school. We will have additional info about the school in upcoming issues.
On Wednesday, authorities cracked down on the van selling marijuana by the Beach 108th ferry landing in recent months. Due to selling without a license, the seller was arrested and the van was impounded.
If you pass by Memorial Circle in Rockaway Park, those wreaths for the holidays didn’t magically appear. Mike Honan, a Friend of Memorial Circle, recently let us know that local resident Flip Mullen contributed those wreaths as a holiday memorial for Rockaway’s fallen servicemembers.
**These plants were often used in the creation of wreaths and garlands, which were then hung in homes and sacred spaces.** Water was also an important element of ancient pagan rituals on the summer solstice. Many people would swim in lakes, rivers, and streams on this day, as it was believed to have purifying and rejuvenating properties. **In some cultures, it was customary to wash one's face with the morning dew on the summer solstice, as it was believed to bring beauty and good luck**. Another ancient ritual associated with the summer solstice was the gathering and consumption of mead, a honey-based alcoholic beverage. **Mead was seen as a sacred drink that brought joy and fertility**. It was often consumed during communal feasts and shared with friends and family. These ancient pagan rituals on the summer solstice were a way for people to connect with nature, honor the cycles of the seasons, and celebrate the abundance of life. **They served as a reminder of humanity's dependency on the natural world and the interconnectedness of all living beings**. Although these rituals may seem strange or superstitious to modern-day observers, they held deep meaning for ancient pagans and played a vital role in their cultural and spiritual traditions..
Reviews for "Sacred Herbs and Plants in Ancient Pagan Summer Solstice Rituals"
- Sarah - 1 star
I attended the ancient pagan rituals on the summer solstice event and I have to say, I was extremely disappointed. The whole atmosphere was strange and uncomfortable. The rituals themselves were bizarre and felt disconnected from any real spiritual practice. There was no structure or guidance, just a bunch of people aimlessly wandering around. I left feeling confused and like I had wasted my time.
- Mark - 2 stars
I had high hopes for the ancient pagan rituals on the summer solstice event, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The organizers seemed disorganized and the rituals lacked depth and meaning. It felt more like a cheap theatrical performance than a genuine spiritual experience. I left feeling underwhelmed and like I had just witnessed a spectacle rather than participating in something meaningful.
- Emma - 2 stars
I was excited to attend the ancient pagan rituals on the summer solstice event, but I have to say I was quite disappointed. The entire event felt like a mishmash of random activities without any clear purpose or direction. It was confusing and left me feeling disconnected rather than connected to the spiritual energy of the solstice. I was really hoping for a more authentic and immersive experience, but unfortunately, this event fell flat.