The Longest Day.

21 Jun

Happy Solstice to all who stop here. To celebrate the day that’s in it I would like to share a poem sent by my friend June.

It’s written by Jehanne Mehta.

SUNFIRE

To visit the sunfire in this land

We carry a torch, we carry a brand.

To kindle the sunfire in all hearts

We offer our song, we offer our dance.

When swirling flames with red tongues fly

And grey smoke billows to the sky.

What hold us back shall burn away

In the singing sunfire of misdsummer’s day.

This poems reminds me of the bonfires that are lit here in north-west Ireland on June 23rd. Called St. John’s night here it has been adapted of course from the Solstice festivities of Pagan times. This year it will be magic as it is also the night of the supermoon. The closest the Moon will be to the Earth this year. Astronomers say the Moon will look 14% larger and 30% brighter than usual. Tides will also be higher.

Tags: June, longest day, pagan times, Poem, Solstice, St johns night, Supermoon

Comments 22 Comments
Categories ireland

22 Responses to “The Longest Day.”

The Earth Beneath My Feet June 21, 2013 at 11:48 am #

Enjoy Bridget. Of course this means that it’s the shortest day here and to add insult to injury Cape Town is bitterly cold and windy. Indoors with wine and a book for me but I hopw the weather has improved by Sunday as I have a hike planned to watch the Perigree Moon rise.

Reply
- bridget June 21, 2013 at 2:47 pm #
  
  Hope the conditions improve enough for you to see this special moon. Happy Solstice!
  
  Reply
cathsveggies1 June 21, 2013 at 12:04 pm #

Happy Solstice Day,Bridget 🙂 I do hope I will be able to see the Supermoon on Sunday 23rd !!

Reply
- bridget June 21, 2013 at 2:48 pm #
  
  and to you too Cath. Hopefully it will stay clear for Sunday.
  
  Reply
gillie June 21, 2013 at 1:06 pm #

Am hoping for clear skies for Sunday night. “I see the moon and the moon sees me. God bless the moon and God bless me” Whomever your God is, may it be a night of blessing.

Reply
- bridget June 21, 2013 at 2:51 pm #
  
  What a lovely saying. Happy Solstice! Also hoping for clear skies on Sunday night.
  
  Reply
  - june June 21, 2013 at 8:59 pm #
    
    I agree. That’s a truly lovely blessing, Gillie. Thanks for sharing that. Wishing you the same for this upcoming special day and night.
KL June 21, 2013 at 5:43 pm #

Happy Summer Solstice. Lovely poem that is.

Reply
- bridget June 21, 2013 at 8:25 pm #
  
  It captures the time of year very well I think. Happy solstice to you and yours.
  
  Reply
june June 21, 2013 at 9:02 pm #

Wishing the same for you and your loved ones, Bridget. And to all of us.
Very much looking forward to the 23rd – a supermoon will indeed be quite special and feel very magical.

Reply
cathsveggies1 June 21, 2013 at 9:33 pm #

‘Tis a dark, dull evening here in Cork. You would not think it is the longest day..! But I found this,,,,,,
http://oldmooresalmanac.com/news-topics/the-modern-celt/summer-solstice.html

Reply
Jane June 22, 2013 at 1:24 am #

What a beautiful blessing from Gillie. We celebrated solstice in the veggy patch this evening.We will be looking for the moon on Sunday.
Happy Solstice!
Jane x

Reply
Anny June 22, 2013 at 6:33 am #

After a pretty wet afternoon, the sky cleared late last night and the moon was simply fantastic, so we just sat and bathed in the light when we really should have gone to bed! Still, if Sunday isn’t as good, at least we’ve enjoyed an almost supermoon.

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- bridget June 22, 2013 at 9:21 pm #
  
  Brilliant! Cloudy here tonight…hoping tomorrow will be clearer.
  
  Reply
  - cathsveggies1 June 22, 2013 at 9:26 pm #
    
    Yes….will be waiting in anticipation for Super Moon 🙂 What’s the odds on Ireland being cloud free!!!
SmallHouseBigGarden June 22, 2013 at 12:02 pm #

I love thst poem!
Thank you, too, for the reminder about the supermoon! I hope we all have clear skies that night!

Reply
Donna@Gardens Eye View June 23, 2013 at 8:36 pm #

Love the poem and what a magical night it must have been with that supermoon

Reply
- bridget June 24, 2013 at 6:50 am #
  
  Magic indeed! The midges were crazy though.
  
  Reply
linniew June 25, 2013 at 2:16 am #

I love ‘supermoon’– sounds so special and hopeful…

Reply
- bridget June 25, 2013 at 8:46 pm #
  
  The supermoon was brill…unfortunately it was a very still night so the midges were crazy. Had to watch it through the window.
  
  Reply
Mominthegarden June 25, 2013 at 5:52 am #

Oh I *love* the poem! Pity I’m always way behind in reading blog posts! I hope the 23rd was a fun night for you. I’m so glad the weather has been decent again this past week in Ireland. Dana

Reply
- bridget June 25, 2013 at 8:47 pm #
  
  Weather is still good so lots of garden work happening. The 23rd was great as we had the supermoon which was beautiful.
  
  Reply

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