Summer solstice
Occuring on Richfest 4, the Summer Solstice, also called Midsummer Day, marks the beginning of high summer on the Greyhawk calendar. This is the longest day of the year, and the sun, Liga, appears furthest north among the stars on this date.
The night (called Midsummer Night) is especially significant, beccause both Luna and Celene shine full in the sky. Druids of both Beory and Obad-Hai hold the night as sacred.[1] Also, both moons being full draws the beast out of the world's lycanthropes,[1] and possibly heralding other portentous events.
Holy days and observances
Holidays celebrated during the summer solstice include:
- Agelong (elves)
- The Brilliance Celebration
- Enlighteningtide
- Foundation Day (Narwell)
- The Holy Day of Pelor (Pelor)
- The faithful of Rao consider the night of the summer solstice to be an especially holy time, for they believe the moons were Rao's gift to guide humanity from the darkness of Tharizdun.
- The worshippers of the giant god Surtr celebrate midsummer as their holiest time as well.
- This is a holy day for the followers of Flandal Steelskin.
- This is holy day for worshippers of Obad-Hai
In other media
In Rose Estes' novel The Eyes Have It, this holiday is called the Festival of Blossoms. The Festival of Blossoms is presented as a major holiday in the city of Loftwick.
In Gary Gygax's novel Artifact of Evil, midsummer is celebrated with a grand ball.[2] At the end of celebration, Queen Yolande and her consort, Prince Fasstal Dothmar, perform a ritual dance described as "the Midsummer Frolic, the last formal requirement of the celebration."[3] Afterward, the nobles and guests at the ball "empty into the acres of wooded gardens and parks that surrounded the palace. There they would doff most of their excess finery to trip and prance in dances and games of ancient elvish sort. ... Only when the sky paled and dawn came would the revelry cease."[3] Since Queen Yolande is an avid pratictioner[4] it is likely this describes one of the Faerie Mysteries.
See Also
See also the related other seasonal events:
| Greyhawk calendar | |
|---|---|
| Days | Starday • Sunday • Moonday • Godsday • Waterday • Earthday • Freeday |
| Months | Fireseek • Readying • Coldeven • Planting • Flocktime • Wealsun • Reaping • Goodmonth • Harvester • Patchwall • Ready'reat • Sunsebb |
| Festivals | Needfest • Growfest • Richfest • Brewfest |
| Seasons | Winter • Spring • Low summer • High summer • (Summer) • Autumn |
| Solar events | Spring equinox, Summer solstice, Autumnal equinox, Winter solstice |
| Holidays | Agelong • Blood Moon Festival • Breadgiving Day • Council Day • Council of Mayors and Manorial Lords • Crowning Day • Dark Night • Day of the Legion Will • Day of Treachery • Declaration Day • Election Day • Faerieluck • Fallrite • Feast of Edoira • Feast of Fools • Feast of Wenta • Freedom Day • Frost Days • Great Moon's Glory • Guild Days • Holy Day of Serenity • Midsummer's Day • Midwinter Night • Remembrance Day • Rollo's Day • Saint Cuthbert's Day • Spring Feast • Springrite • Thrommel's Day • Yeartide • |
References
Notes
Citations
- ↑ a b The Adventure Begins (1998), p.45.
- ↑ Artifact of Evil—Gord the Rogue novel (1985), p.121.
- ↑ a b Artifact of Evil—Gord the Rogue novel (1985), p.122.
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.38.
Bibliography
- Estes, Rose. The Eyes Have It. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1989.
- Gygax, Gary. The World of Greyhawk. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1980 (ISBN 0-935696-23-7).
- ———. World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983 (ISBN 0-88038-344-5).
- Lai, Gary. "Hopeful Dawn." Dungeon #41. Renton, WA: TSR, 1993.
- McComb, Colin D. The Complete Book of Elves. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992.
- Miller, Andy. "Campaign Holidays." Dragon Annual #4. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1999 (pp. 18-19).
- Moore, Roger E. The Adventure Begins. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998.
Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index
The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.
| Topic | Type | Description | Product | Page/Card/Image
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Solstice | Calendar | Night Watch (1990) | 9, 14, 108, 179, 255, 270 |