Evening star., 1934-06-21
BY THOMAS r. HENRY.

Tonight at 10:48 Summer arrives
At that instant the sun will have
reached its farthest north, the Sum-
mer solstice This is the longest day
of the year, with Is hours, min
utes and some odd seconds of day
light from sunrise at SPA to sunset
at 8:3l.
Actually the sun is trifle further
from the earth today than at the
time of the Winter solstice, but its
heat is falling most directly on the
Northern Hemisphere. From the in
stance Of its farthest advance north
ward, it turns south again on the
long road to the northern Winter.
Since the phenomena OF nature are
tied up so intimately with the ap-
parent wanderings Of the sun through
the stars, all the critical points in this
journey are marked days. Supersti-
tions the world over are associated
with the passing Of the Summer SOL
stice. Most of them probably orig
mated In human sacrifice. but through
the ages they have been rationalized
to the point where they seem innocent
and beautiful.
The next few days mark the sune-
wende, or suns vending, of the old
mythology of Northern Europe, OBJ
served with special ceremonies every
where. The chief of these are the Mid
summer fires, the light of which, with
local variations, extends from Western
ireland to the interior of Russia. Most
frequently great bonfires-the beltaine
II
built at the time of the solstice on
high hilltops. Youths and maidens
Jump over them, or run through the
Goals. This may be a survival of an
ancient practice of burning some hu-
man being alive as a sacrifice to the
sun god who was about to turn south
ward.
Fire Wheel" Practice
Still is Followed.
In Eastern France and Western
Germany the practice Of the fire
Wheel still is followed in some vii
lagos. The custom is to make a great
wheel, cover it with straw, set the
straw afire, and start 1t rolling down
hill toward a river. This wheel is
carrying away The sins of the vii
lage. II 1t strikes the water still
alight prospects are considered good
for a prosperous year.
In Spain it is the custom to gather
verbanas at dawn. Let's hang haw-
thorn wreaths over their doors. In
Esthonia girls gather fragrant flowers
on the eve Of the Summer solstice and
place them under their pillows. so
that what they dream will come true.
Throughout Austria are found the
"Sunbentfewrs," or Summer SolStice
fires, which sometimes are blessed by
a priest. Then, as long as they burn,
villagers stand over them singing and
praying. Another practice is to hang
in front of chamber doors lighted
lanterns covered with red poppies
to attract the attention of the turn
ing sun to the sleepers. In Swabia
there is a practice of looking at the
fire through a blue Towering larkspur
held in the hand, which then is
thrown into the flames. This is sup
posed to be a preventive of eye
diseases throughout the year. In
parts of France flowers picked be-
fore sunrise on Midsummer morning
are kept through the year and are
supposed to have special healing vir-
tues.
Picturesque Custom
Followed by Indians.
A picturesque custom is reported
among the Zuni Indians Of the South
west.
On the morning of the day Of the
Summer solstice runners are sent to
catch turtles in the sacred lake, Koth-
luwalawa. These are brought to the
village and placed in tubs of water
while the Indians dance around them.
Then they are killed.
The idea is that the souls Of dead
ancestors live In the sacred lake. and
occasionally take the form of turtles.
They are taken to the village and
given a good time in order that they
will intercede for their living rela-
tives during the rest Of the year.
Killing them is the easiest way to
get them back again. since, of course,
their turtle bodies are Of no particular
value to them.
The Summer sun is not always q
welcome visitor, because it brings with
1t withering heat and droughts.
Among the Slovenes 1t used to be
known as the green devil" who had
slain Green George" the gentle
spirit of Spring. The object of the