The Summer Solstice - the longest day of the year - is today, but what is the story behind it and why does it happen?What is the Summer Solstice?
The solstice occurs due to the way the sun rays hit the tropical latitude line, which for where we are in the world, means the Tropic of Cancer and the Northern Hemisphere lines.
In Essex, the sun rose at 4.43am, and will set at 9.21pm, giving us around 16 hours and 38 minutes of daylight.
There are two types of solstices each year, in June and December, where the Earth's axis tilts to and away from the sun.
The word 'Solstice' derives from the Latin words 'sol' (sun) and 'sistere' (to stand still).The history of the Summer Solstice
It is a celebration that has been around for many years, with many different religions taking it into account.
The Celts would celebrate with bonfires which would 'add to the suns energy'.
The Christians placed the feast of St John the Baptist towards the end of June. Even the Chinese hold the Festival of Li around this time - Li was the Chinese Goddess of Light.
However, perhaps the most well-known group to celebrate this time of year would be the Pagans.
They use this time to commemorate the fertility of the season. They believe the Goddess took over earth in the Springtime from the horned God and she is now at the height of her power and fertility.
For some Pagans it marks the marriage of the God and Goddess and see their union as the force that creates the Harvests fruits.
It is a time that celebrates growth and life for the religious group, who see balance in the world and are deeply aware of the ongoing shifting between the seasons.
The Pagans are famous for holding their festivities at Stongehenge, the ancient monument in Wiltshere.
Within the monument are two stones set outside the main circle named the Heel stone and the Slaughter stone, which will align with the rising sun.
Closeby to Stonehenge also in Wiltshere is Avebury, a Neolithic henge monument containing three large stone circles.
It actually includes the largest stone circle in Europe, and is used in events to celebrate the Solstice in the same way as Stonehenge.Ways to mark the Summer Solstice
;But if you did not want to travel far, there are other ways you can welcome in the Solstice.
You could try dancing around a maypole. This fun activity is an ancient tradition of the longest day. You could make it into a full ceremony, with maypole dancing and a bonfire, mimicking how people would have celebrated up to 3000 years ago.
Fancy something quieter? There is always the option of sitting in your garden, or a local field or conservation area, and enjoy the sunrise and/or sunset at your hearts content.Events in Essex
The RHS Garden Hyde Hall will be celebrating by extending their opening hours on the day, offering a breakfast at 9am and then a supper at the end of the day.
For more details and prices check out their website
There will be a Body and Soul Summer Solstice event at Eastern Esplanade in Southend. They will be offering holistic pampering, healing, physic and medium readings, soul planning and much more - really engaging with the spiritual aspect of the day. For more info visit their website
The RSPB has also organised a Big Wild Sleep Out at Rainham Marshes on Purfleet on the Saturday night. Booking is essential for the event which will cost £35 for adults and £22 for children (reduced to £30 and £17 for RSPB members).
This will allow you to explore the reserve outside opening hours, offer late night walks around the marshes and the opportunity to discover the reserve as it awakens for the new day.
