Happy Summer!

It's officially Summer in the Northern parts of the world. Today is the longest day of the year for us and around the world Pagans and non-Pagans are marking the day in diverse celebrations. There's something lovely in marking the continuity of Mother Nature.

While in the states most parties happen on the Solstice day itself, Europeans generally celebrate it on June 24th, or the nearest Friday to it- this year Friday is the 24th. Some call it Midsummer (which I've never quite understood; it's the beginning, isn't it)? Here's an assorted explanation of all this:
http://citizendia.org/Midsummer

And here's some academia from Fraser's The Golden Bough:
http://www.bartleby.com/196/156.html

If you're in NYC on Friday, check this out:
http://www.swedenabroad.com/Page____13256.aspx

Happy Summer.