Midsummer is, of course, a celebration of the longest day of summer and Sussex has its fair share of Midsummer folklore. Examples include tales of a white “ghost” dog that appears every seven years on Midsummer’s Eve on the road between Alfriston and Seaford, bringing with it bad luck. And Midsummer’s Eve used to be known as the opportune time to see fairies, see into the future or to make “Midsummer Men” to discern the path of your future love. Midsummer’s Eve has also long been celebrated in England with bonfires, all-night vigils, dancing, and feasting. And Pagan traditions associated with Midsummer go back thousands of years to beliefs in the power of the sun.
Midsummer and the Summer Solstice in Sussex
Many of the older traditions associated with Midsummer in Sussex have long since died out but there are still ways to celebrate the summer solstice in Sussex. This year The Sompting Village Morris will celebrate the solstice on the 21st of June by walking up Highdown Hill near Worthing and then “dancing down the sun” with flaming torches and a beacon before walking back down the hill by candlelight. They meet at The Spotted Cow in Angmering at 7 pm. They also celebrate Midsummer on the 24th of June at the John Selden in Worthing.
On the 25th of June, the Pagan Village will host their annual Summer Solstice Greenman Walk – also on Highdown Hill near Worthing. And down in Hove, RubyMoon host a Summer Solstice celebration on the 21st June at Beach Box in Brighton where there will be a breathing ceremony, yoga, a sea swim, and a meditative cacao ceremony. But you need to book.
Meanwhile, over at Wild Heart Hill in Findon, The Wellderness will be holding a community celebration of the Summer Solstice on the 21st of June which is inspired by the Scandinavian story of Balder’s Wake. Guided by White Raven Ceremonies, you’re invited to immerse yourself in this ancient ritual, and if you want, you can wear a garland of yellow, white, orange and red flowers (or even just a single stem). There will be a campfire and a Poi Passion fire show!
A Midsummer fair
For a slightly different take on things, this year The Weald & Downland Living Museum is hosting its Midsummer celebrations over the weekend of the 24th and 25th June and there will be a Midsummer fair, where the Tudor group will be showcasing and demonstrating activities that would have taken place at a traditional midsummer celebration.
Open your heart to the Summer Solstice
Over in Rye and Camber, the team from The Gallivant is hosting a heart-opening sunset ceremony welcoming the Summer Solstice on the 17th of June. You will be guided into the dunes of Camber Sands where warming Cacao will be served to open the Heart Chakra. After drinking the cacao, you will bathe in the resonance of singing bowls and gongs. When the sound has dispersed you will have some time to journal and reflect on the experience, enjoying the rest of one of the longest evenings of the year on our breathtaking beach.
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