(reblogged from byalannapass.com)
Humanity around the world has its differences in what holidays are celebrated. The one thread that unites us is the changing of seasons. Most cultures have some kind of observance for the seasonal markers around the equinoxes and solstices such as Harvest, Halloween, Day of the Dead, Christmas, Hanukah, Easter & so forth. In Northern climates, the Summer Solstice, or
Midsummer’s Eve is cause for celebration. On the longest day of the year, there is a little magic & love is in the air.
Ireland is no exception. On this Midsummer’s Eve, we attended a
most lovely event, a choral concert in the local church in the village of Ballyvaughan put on by the Lismorahuan Singers. In the choir were the smiling faces of numerous local faces we had gotten to know during our week long stay there. What a perfect way to spend our last night in Ireland- worthy of a poem.
A MIDSUMMER’S EVE
The earth groaned as it rounded
The final point of its orbit
The sun shone brightly into the hours
Of this shortest night
It claimed its final victory over darkness, this year
And as it did, the flowers bloomed
The faeries danced
And the choir lifted their voices in song
Wrapping their chorus around our hearts
Filling us with strength for the slow waning of the light
To come day by day
In the weeks and months before us
But here, now, we are illuminated fully
Let us celebrate the fruits of summer
& bask in the power of the sun’s rays
On this magical Midsummer’s Eve
Celtic Journeys 