Summer Solstice, A Biodynamic Perspective

Summer Solstice, A Biodynamic Perspective

By Hazel Archer Ginsberg, June 21, 2025

Summer Solstice comes at the precise moment when the Sun’s power is at its peak. ‘Solstice’ (Latin: ‘solstitium’) means ‘sun-stopping’. The point on the horizon where the sun appears to rise & set, STOPS - & REVERSES direction after this day.

On the Solstice, our Sun does not rise precisely in the East, but a bit to the north of East - & sets to the north of West - making it visible in the sky for a longer period of time.

It’s also the time when the midday Sun passes the zenith of the horizon - the closest to being straight overhead - so our shadow becomes the closest to us - That’s right the shadow knows - the brightest light casts the deepest shadow.

The term “Midsummer’s Night” is left over from when the seasons were commonly defined as beginning & ending around the cross-quarter days.

But as we all know, what goes up, must come down, & so after ‘standing still’ for 3 days, the Sun begins to wane…& the journey into the harvest season begins. After the expansive outbreath we must begin the conscious in-breath – this is the celebration of St. Johns- Tide.

But before we ‘decrease’, as John the Baptist did, we can recall that ‘Midsummer’ has always been an important Solar event throughout the evolution of humankind. The axis of Stonehenge, & The Temple of the Sun in Mexico, are both oriented in the direction of the Midsummer sunrise.

Even our dear Shakespeare knew that "Midsummer’s eve" is a magical time, when we can see beyond the sense world to communicate with the faeiry spirits of the plant kingdom.

It is after all the time of the herb harvest - & all plants gathered especially on this the longest day, are considered exceptionally potent for healing & ritual purposes.

This is traditionally the time when the herb St. John’ wort builds potency - & since it is a solar herb, it is used as medicine to channel the power of the Sun - to lighten our mood of soul.

The wise women of old would place St. John’s Wort & other healing herbs around the home for protection as they dried - They threw the stalks into the Midsummer bonfire; & when the coals cooled down, the ashes were mixed with water & sprinkled on the fields, the 4 corners of the home & the on the head & feet of the children. Sounds a lot like biodynamics!

Royal fern seeds gathered at midnight were said to make you invisible. Brush the blossoms on your eyelids to see the wee folk which will also make you wealthy & wise - But be sure & carry a bit of rue in your pocket or you might be ‘pixie-led’. Can’t find the rue, then turn your clothes inside out & follow the old ‘Ley-Lines’, which will keep you from getting lost in faeiry land.

Divination on matters of love are especially powerful on Midsummer’s Eve; young women around the globe place yarrow (BD 502) or other herbs & flowers native to their part of the world peaking at this time, under their pillows, to dream of their future mates.

These folk tales are not a mere superstition, but a wise reminder that we can work with the elemental beings to influence our reality!

Elemental Plant Spirits, Faeiry Folk, thank you for sharing your gifts, continue to teach us how to live in harmony with the essence of your healing magic for the highest good for all.

The ancient Druids who were known to work the alchemy of herb magic, celebrated the Summer Solstice as the Wedding of Heaven & Earth. The Goddess manifests as Mother Earth & the God, as the Sun King.

This quarter day is also called St. John’s Eve by the church, celebrated on the fixed date of 24 June, for they knew that John the Baptist was born around the Summer Solstice, 6 months earlier than Jesus, who was born at Winter Solstice.