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Get the science behind the solstice
Treasure Trove of Science
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The Summer Solstice,
or Midsummer’s Day has its origins in paganism as a celebration of various Sun Gods. Cultures everywhere still celebrate this day, which marks the middle of summer, not, as with today’s calendar, its beginning.
- In Spain, the eve of solstice is called "Night of the Verbena".
- The solstice is the best time of the year to gather herbs.
- Five plants have magic properties on this night: rue, roses, St. John's wort, vervain (verbena) and trefoil.
- The solstice is a time to leap and dance around fires lit on hilltops, celebrating the sun at the height of its strength and encouraging a big harvest. The higher you jump, the higher your crops will grow.
- The June full moon is called the `strawberry moon’ or `mead moon’.
- Gathering fern seed and rubbing it over your eyes on the stroke of midnight will help you to see `the little people’: solstice is said to be the best night to see faeries.
- pick St. Johns Wort on this night—it will help you discover who your lover will be.
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