The Summer Solstice: Celebrating the Journey of the Sun from May Day to Harvest [Hardcover]

John Matthews (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2002

Wherever we are, we are under the sun. As it rises, we greet the new day; as it melts away at dusk, we return to hearth and home for rest. Its life-giving warmth undoubtedly inspired humanity's oldest rituals, especially at the winter and summer solstices in December and June, when the sun's strength begins to wax or wane as the seasons change again. Reclaiming these ancient traditions for contemporary use, this stunning new book completes the cycle John Matthews began in his 1998 award-winning The Winter Solstice. His subject is the mythic history of the sun as a source of fertility and fortune worldwide--from ancient sun gods and ceremonial dances, to the European customs of the Maypole and the love magic of Midsummer Night, to rituals for harvesting rice in the Far East. Today we can still come together at May Day, Midsummer, and Harvest-time, just as our ancestors did. Resplendent with full-color illustrations, this multicultural sourcebook helps us connect with the past and celebrate the present with stories and songs, crafts and games, and recipes for feasting to enjoy with family and friends.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Matthews has been a professional writer since 1980 and has produced over forty books on the Arthurian legends, esoteric wisdom, and the Grail, as well as numerous short stories and a volume of poetry. He and his wife Caitlin co-authored a pioneering study of the western mystery tradition, which has revolutionized contemporary approaches to the ancient British Mystreres. Together, they created the best selling arthurian tarot, which has been translated into several languages. John also advises on film projects. Between 1989 and 1992 he co-organised the Merlin Conference. He is much in demand as a speaker in Europe and America. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Quest Books; 1 edition (June 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0835608158
• ISBN-13: 978-0835608152
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #515,538 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book!, September 6, 2003

By 

merrymousies (Waterford, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Summer Solstice: Celebrating the Journey of the Sun from May Day to Harvest (Hardcover)

I bought this book because I really enjoyed John Matthews' other book, The Winter Solstice. Like that one, this one has all sorts of great history about how cultures have celebrated the solstice, the rituals, the symbols and gods/heros,the lore. There are great photographs and artwork scattered throughout as well as some activities for celebration.

The Chapters and a little preview as to what is in them are as folllows:

Fires of the Sun: the book opens with June 22nd at Stonehenge talking about druid rituals and then goes into all sorts of history and lore - calling back the sun, festivals of fire. Myths from egypt, norse people, asia are all talked about along with great pictures, talking about the cycles of nature. Raven and the Theft of Light is in here too. The chapter concludes with creating a midsummer shrine and some wonderfulu meditations

Gods and Heros of Summer: this chapter goes through all sorts of cultures and their sun gods - really interesting to see the differences and similarities. There's a meditiation entitled "Journey of the Sun" at the end as well as a blessing.

The Games of May: Neat chapter on how May revels were celebrated, the festivities and rites, some neat talk of fairies, and how to make a may day garland.

Midsummer Nights and Days: all about the sacred spaces, symbols,even a bit of Shakespeare. I loved the section on magical ferns!! And there's a neat section on having a misummer party - complete with gifts for fairies!

Gods of the Harvest: discussion of the gods/godesses of harvest time, how to make a corn doll

Days of the Sun: A Calendar of Festivals and Celebrations: (May through September)

There are absoloutely beautiful photographs and drawings throught every page of the book.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational, August 2, 2011

By 

ShadowChaser - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Summer Solstice: Celebrating the Journey of the Sun from May Day to Harvest (Hardcover)

This book is one of the nicest and well done I have seen in a long time. It is well written and the pictures are breathtaking. I set it on my coffee table and have had nothing but positive reactions to it. The content easily lends itself to writing beautiful and meaningful rituals. I first saw it at the Summer Solstice ritual and just knew I had to have a copy for myself. I was delighted when I found it on Amazon. Amazon is always the first place I look for books and have never been disappointed by the quality of the books I have received. It was money well spent.The Summer Solstice: Celebrating the Journey of the Sun from May Day to Harvest