Litha 2014: Pagans welcome Summer Solstice

CC Liu, Wisdom Quarterly; Antonia Blumberg (HuffingtonPost.com, June 21, 2014, AP)

The summer solstice arrives in the northern hemisphere on June 21 at 6:51 am EDT, bringing us the longest day in the year -- which means lots of extra sunlight for festivities. The day is also considered to be sacred by many pagans and Wiccans around the world who celebrate the solstice among their other yearly holidays.

Some refer to the summer solstice as "Litha," a term that may derive from 8th century monk Bede's The Reckoning of Time. Bede names "Litha" as the Latin name for both June and July in ancient times.

 

The summer solstice is one of four solar holidays, along with the autumnal equinox, the winter solstice and the vernal equinox. The other major pagan holidays are Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, Beltane, and Lughnasadh.

 

 

Observers celebrate the solstice in myriad ways, including festivals, parades, bonfires, feasts and more. As one member of the Amesbury and Stonehenge Druids explains, "What you're celebrating on a mystical level is that you're looking at light at its strongest. It represents things like the triumph of the king, the power of light over darkness, and just life -- life at its fullest."

 

 

Celebrations for the summer solstice take place around the world, and not all are pagan-affiliated. One of the biggest pagan celebrations occurs at Stonehenge in England, but others take place among indigenous Latin and South American communities, and in Russia, Spain, and other countries.

 

 

As the official first day of summer, the solstice is a time of celebration. Cities around the world will mark the day with spiritual and secular celebrations, like this yoga festival in New York's Times Square, expected to draw thousands for some mid-city, summer realignment. More (PHOTOS)

Support women's rights, support FEMEN

Amber Larson, Seven, CC Liu, Wisdom Quarterly; FEMEN.org (femenshop.com/Facebook)

FEMEN's topless demonstration over Ukraine, Crimea, and Russia makes cover of NY Times.

   

Topless protests call attention to vital causes.

One of the things that differentiates FEMEN from other groups is its financial independence. FEMEN does not need to negotiate with shareholders, sponsors, or politicians. Donations and purchases from supporters the world over are the only income source that makes protests, investments, new branches, Sextremist training programs, and the Website possible. So if readers share FEMEN's ideals, if they would like to see more actions, and if they believe in women's rights, support FEMEN right now by requesting an autographed FEMEN book, hoodie, or t-shirt: femenshop or femen.

ACTION: "Stop Putin's War" - During a protest against Putin's intervention in Crimea, French FEMEN sextremists were beaten by pro-Russian reactionaries, undercover agents (seen trying to suppress photography), and arrested by unknown agents. During the action they shout "F**K YOU, PUTIN!" and demand he step back from independent Ukraine during a Parliament gathering of bandits and marionettes deciding the fate of Crimea in Putin's renewed Union.

Wisdom Quarterly surpasses 4 million views

Ashley Wells, Features Editor, Wisdom Quarterly

Wisdom Quarterly reaches far and wide across the globe concentrating in the West.

"Sitting on a park bench, eyeing little [meditators by the lake] with bad intent" (J.T.)

As Wisdom Quarterly: American Buddhist Journal makes this milestone, surpassing 4,000,000 direct verifiable views, it has become customary for the male editors to discuss breasts, usually Jennifer Love Hewitt's or men's.

Good way to stay healthy

But Breast Awareness Month in Los Angeles begins with Katy Perry and others performing (AMP Radio, CBS Inc., Hollywood Bowl, Oct. 23, 2013, 7:30 pm, also featuring Ellie Goulding, Sara Bareilles, Tegan and Sara, and Kacey Musgraves) to raise awareness about surviving one devastating form of cancer running rampant in our flesh eating population: the cancer of the breasts.

Good way to develop cancer

While many more people read WQ, there is no way to directly count them. It's like when one asks how many views a video has, but then that video is reposted with lyrics or what not by various YouTubers. Only the official VEVO version is counted, which leads to undercounting. Other sites pick up and repost our items and articles or send it out in Hebrew and other foreign languages via RSS feeds, aggregation sites, uncredited outlets, and the occasional plagiaristic "homage." (Thank you, by the way. We are just here to spread the Dharma, increasing wisdom and compassion everywhere).