June 21st, Summer Solstice
The longest day and the shortest night of the year occur at the summer solstice. The sun is at its zenith and nature is luxuriant. Medicinal herbs were traditionally harvested the day before the solstice, on 20 June. Flower crowns and bouquets were abundantly made. This solar festival was (and still is) often accompanied by great pyramidal fires lit on hilltops. These fires took different forms in different regions, and were sometimes wheels of fire that were rolled down hills. These community festivities included music, dancing, singing, games and story telling and continued all night until sunrise.
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