LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Alban Hefin
built 232 days ago
The summer solstice, known as Litha, Alban Hefin or St John’s Day, is the day with the most sunlight hours in the northern hemisphere. This is one of the lesser Sabbats, falling opposite Yule in the wheel of the year. Although this day ... marks the beginning of shorter days, seasonally the warmest days and the main growing season follow it directly. With the sun at “full power” came events celebrating warmth, growth, abundance and fertility.
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In the ceremony for Alban Hefin, the summer solstice, much emphasis is placed on the energy of the Sun. We celebrate its zenith, call upon its fire, acknowledge its fiery work on all the other elements, greet it in joy, celebrate its beauty, feel its deep connection through many ages to Druidry, and experience the energy of the inner teachers who work in its light.
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At Alban Hefin the spiral of the year has expanded to its widest point and now the hours of light are as long as they will ever be. After 21st or 22nd June, the sun's power will begin to wane and the days grow shorter. The sun has touched the northernmost point along the horizon and is about to embark upon the long journey back south, ending at Alban Arthan, the Winter Solstice, in mid-December in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, the Summer Solstice falls on 21st or 22nd December, with the sun touching the southernmost point along the horizon.
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Alban Hefin is when the Holly King takes over the reign from the Oak King who will, again reign at Yule. It is the first day of the new year. The Druids celebrated this day on June 24, not on the Summer Solstice. Their day ran from sundown to sundown. This is celebrated by the Christians as the Feast of John the Baptist.
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The summer solsticealso known as Litha or Alban Hefin, usually occurs on June 21st. This isthelongest day of the year. Solstice means "sun stood still". However, this year, 2008, it will fall on June 20th.
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Today is midsummer, the Druidic festival of Alban Hefin, the Anglo-Saxon festival of Litha and the longest day of the year. Today is ... the day of all heras, of women who have achieved knowledge of the good goddess.
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