The Solstice

This celestial movement resonates differently among peoples, as culture is shaped in many ways by the grain that sustains it. The traditions of Slavic, Scandinavian, Baltic, Celtic, and Germanic peoples depended on rye and wheat. After long and harsh winters, the summer solstice brought Europeans a pause between sowing and harvest. A dry, hot summer was considered a blessing for the fields, helping the grain fill with the strength of the sun. For this reason, European traditions deeply honor all four solar turning points of the year — the two equinoxes and the two solstices.

Life in Japan follows the rhythm of rice cultivation, where the equinoxes hold particular sacred significance. The period of the summer solstice coincides with the rainy season. Heat without abundant water can be devastating for rice, so delicate seedlings are planted in flooded terraces beneath seasonal rains and carefully protected from typhoons. This is a time of demanding labor, yet Japanese culture preserves a remarkable ritual of summer purification. At the end of June, people pass through a large ring woven from kaya grass, a type of wild reed, at Shinto shrines. The ritual is believed to cleanse away the negativity accumulated during the first half of the year and to bring health and well-being for the months ahead.

In Ukrainian culture, the peak of the sun’s power inspires enchanting rituals centered around a blazing wheel of fire. Wrapped in straw, set alight, and rolled down a hill toward a river, it symbolizes the sun beginning its journey back toward winter, uniting the elements of fire and water. Young women gather medicinal herbs, weave ceremonial wreaths — symbols of eternity — and set them afloat on rivers in hopes of learning something about their future. Ancient legends tell of the fern flower, which is said to bloom at midnight in a burst of fire, granting the ability to understand the language of animals. These ancient traditions remain a living reality, carefully preserved and woven into contemporary Ukrainian life.

Today, these traditions carry special significance as the Ukrainian people continue to endure extraordinarily difficult times. The war that began in 2014 and the full-scale invasion launched by Russia in 2022 have forced millions of people to leave their homes.

In times of loss, cultural memory becomes an invisible thread that keeps Ukrainians connected across different parts of the world. Whether preserving their identity at home or living abroad after displacement, people gather to recreate ancient rituals, sing traditional songs, and weave wreaths from local herbs. Such acts help preserve an inner light, provide psychological support, and strengthen faith in the triumph of life.