I can’t believe it is that time of year already… the summer solstice takes place between June 20th and June 22nd, depending on which hemisphere and what time zone you’re in. From now on, the days start getting shorter, and the nights longer, although you won’t notice it for quite some time yet. But just knowing it always makes me feel a little sad. I never want summer to end. Although living in Ireland, it quite often never seems to even get started at all!
This beautiful infographic has been designed by John Cunningham of CelticCrossOnline, who very kindly allowed me to share it with you, and it will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about the Summer Solstice. You may also want to check out his website; John designs the most exquisite jewellery in silver and gold based on Celtic Cross designs. You can find him at http://www.celticcrossonline.com/… please do take a moment to click through. Enjoy!

Infographic (c) John Cunningham.
thank you for visiting

Get more mythology straight to your inbox. Sign up to my mailing list.
Or try one of these…
Smashing work by John – a lot of information presented in entertaining form.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Roy! I agree… he did a great job, didn’t he?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a gorgeous info graphic, Ali – loved reading all the traditions. Some I was aware of, but there were a few I hadn’t heard. I think we had a conversation last year about how the summer solstice is a bittersweet moment, the world turning towards winter. And so it is again – the strawberry moon was a lovely addition to this year’s solstice, I must say.
Oh, and I looked at that retreat link you sent me – looks very interesting…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes we did, and bittersweet is the perfect way to describe it! Love that word! 😁 Authors, huh??? I’ve always wanted to go to that retreat. Its just perfect for me, at least… beautiful scenery, an element of mystique, the lovely old house, peace and solitude and then a bit of a social at dinnertime with other authors and artists. And not too expensive, either. Always a bonus for a cash starved writer…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too, it’s up there with melancholy as a word that plucks strings in my heart 🙂 Writers indeed!
Yes, I thought the retreat looked pretty reasonably priced plus, as you say, what a beautiful and interesting place! Although, now Brexit has happened I guess I’ll be up for the overseas authors prices. 😦 Still, I think it’s a possibility – we need to chat further, I think… 🙂
LikeLike
I know how long infographics take to create – so mega points to your friend 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never tried one yet, but this one is so overly I am quite tempted to have a go!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never tried one yet, but this one is so loverly I am quite tempted to have a go!
LikeLiked by 1 person
nice
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
What lovely graphics and amazing information Ali. I still can’t get my head around why it’s also called Midsummer’s Day when it actually marks the first day of Summer. I would have thought mid-summer would more likely be around early August when we are half way through the season. There’s probably a very good reason for it, though. Please do tell. 😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would if I knew, Hugh. Perhaps it’s mid summer in terms of the calender, rather than the Celtic one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think that is probably it, Ali. It’s like the carol “In the mid bleak winter.” It’s sung at Christmas time, yet Christmas falls only a few days after the Winter solstice and first day of Winter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! Also, it just sounds better… more poetic and dramatic. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Kate McClelland.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for re-blogging, Kate. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exceptional info-graphic and some fascinating information I had no idea about previously. 🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! He did a good job of it, for sure. 😊
LikeLike
Lovely infographic packed with so much information. I hate that the days will now grow shorter when it’s only the beginning of summer, but I do pick up on December 20 or so when I know the days will grow longer. Hope you are planning a delightful summer with the children, Ali!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I’m the same, Noelle… I love the long light evenings, and once the winter Solstice has taken place, I can feel myself cheering up, even though the worst of the weather is usually still to come. We have brought the kids to Crete for some sun. I have some activities planned for when we’re back, just to make sure they don’t vegetate over the x box or their phones! Luckily, they play a lot of sport, so they’re very active.
LikeLike
Lovely. I do find it a sad time knowign the days are going to become shorter again. I find the days between 21st March and 21st June go so much more quickly than the days between December and March!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, Mary. I feel the same. Must be wired into our body clocks.
LikeLike
Agreed! The solstice is the ultimate “hump day”. You’re at the peak of the year, knowing that the rest is a steady slope back into winter. This year in Switzerland has also been really rainy and somewhat cool, never quite sticking a toe into summer’s pool. How can we be heading back into winter already?!:-) I think my coffee mug was half empty this morning. (Must be post-Bash blues.)😛
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh no… not the post Bash Blues! I think it’s a real syndrome that’s only just coming to light. 😁 We had 2 weeks of really lovely weather in Ireland… I think that may have been our summer!
LikeLiked by 2 people
We had a lovely two weeks here in Scotland – even hotter than many places on mainland Europe. Everyone looked so much happier when they were out and about. I really hope that wasn’t summer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah same here
LikeLiked by 1 person
The post-Bash Blues: Real, Undocumented, Serious Threat to Bloganity.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! Yes indeed! I think we have to have a doctor and antidote present at the next Bash!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Our first Irish Summer Solstice for 17 years – and this beautiful infographic shared by Ali Isaac just about sums it up.. just because the sun is not actually shining does not detract from the warmth of the people and culture.. it is summer pretty much all the time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It certainly is! Thanks Sally. 🌞
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Chris!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome Ali – great post and find 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a gorgeous infographic. As it’s winter here in Australia, and I am freezing my nose of, it was good to have an injection of heat, even if only vicarious!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, yes, it is! Haha, know what you mean. Weather has not been great over here, 2 weeks of summer, and very grey and wet the rest of the time. Oh well…
LikeLike
You never win with weather. My ancestry is Irish. Somehow, in however many years we’ve been in Oz (under 200), we’ve lost the gene for coping with cold and rain. Frankly, I don’t miss it.
May the sun shine soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! I can’t cope with it either, so I guess I was born with a defect. The weather is the worst thing about Ireland… I love everything else.
LikeLike
It’s the most beautiful place. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It certainly is… but I am a little biased! 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent infographic and packed with information. I’m a fan of earth-time over constructed time. Thanks for sharing 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Diana. I agree with you. Glad you enjoyed the infographic. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person