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Occuring on [[Richfest]] 4, the '''Summer Solstice''' marks the beginning of high summer on the [[Greyhawk Calendar]]. This is the longest day of the year, but the night is especially significant, as this is when both [[Luna]] and [[Celene (Kule)|Celene]] shine full in the sky, drawing the beast out of the world's lycanthropes and possibly heralding other portentous events. The sun, [[Liga]], appears furthest north among the stars on this date.
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.


==Holidays and celebrations==
The night (called '''Midsummer Night''') is especially significant, beccause both [[Luna]] and [[Celene (Kule)|Celene]] shine full in the sky.  Druids of both [[Beory]] and [[Obad-Hai]] hold the night as sacred.{{csb|TAB|45}}  Also, both moons being full draws the beast out of the world's lycanthropes,{{csb|TAB|45}} and possibly heralding other portentous events.
Holidays celebrated during the summer solstice include [[Giving Day]], [[Enlighteningtide]], the [[Brilliance Celebration]], the [[Holy Day of Pelor]], and [[Agelong]]. 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. In [[Narwell]], Midsummer Day is called [[Foundation Day]].
 
 
== Holy days and observances ==
Holidays celebrated during the summer solstice include:
 
*[[Agelong]] ([[Elf|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#Holy days and observances|Flandal Steelskin]].
*This is holy day for worshippers of [[Obad-Hai#Holy days and observances|Obad-Hai]]


==In other media==
==In other media==
In [[Rose Estes]]' novel ''[[The Eyes Have It]]'', this holiday is called the Festival of Blossoms.  
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]].
 
==Bibliography==
*[[Rose Estes|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).
In [[Gary Gygax]]'s novel ''[[Artifact of Evil]]'', midsummer is celebrated with a grand ball.{{csb|AoE|121}}  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."{{csb|AoE|122}}  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 [[elf|elvish]] sort. ... Only when the sky paled and dawn came would the revelry cease."{{csb|AoE|122}}  Since Queen Yolande is an avid pratictioner{{csb|LGG|38}} it is likely this describes one of the [[Faerie Mysteries]].
*-----. ''[[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.
==See Also==
See also the related other seasonal events:
* [[Spring equinox]]
* [[Autumnal equinox]]
* [[Winter solstice]]


*McComb, Colin D. ''The Complete Book of Elves''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992.  
{{Refbox-Greyhawk-Calendar}}
== References ==
=== Notes ===
<references group="note" />
=== Citations ===
<references />
=== Bibliography ===
* [[Rose Estes|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.  
* [[Andy Miller|Miller, Andy]]. "Campaign Holidays." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|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.
{{index}}


*[[Andy Miller|Miller, Andy]]. "Campaign Holidays." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]] Annual'' #4. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1999 (pp. 18-19).


*[[Moore, Roger E]]. ''[[Greyhawk: The Adventure Begins]]''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998.
[[Category:Holidays]]
[[Category:Greyhawk holidays]]

Latest revision as of 17:25, 6 April 2025

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:

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

  1. ↑ a b The Adventure Begins (1998), p.45.
  2. ↑ Artifact of Evil—Gord the Rogue novel (1985), p.121.
  3. ↑ a b Artifact of Evil—Gord the Rogue novel (1985), p.122.
  4. ↑ Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.38.

Bibliography

———. 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
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