When is the longest day of 2024: date of the summer solstice, traditions, and omens

The summer solstice always falls within the first month of summer, but the date changes due to the peculiarities of calculation. The solar disk, moving along the ecliptic, reaches its northernmost point. At this juncture, the Sun is at the maximum distance north of the celestial equator, resulting in the longest daylight hours and the shortest night of the year. Simultaneously, the opposite phenomenon occurs in the Southern Hemisphere. This was reported by SSPDaily.

In Kyiv, the Summer Solstice of 2024 will occur precisely at 23:50:20 on June 20.

What to do on the Summer Solstice: traditions

The Summer Solstice held particular significance for our ancestors during the days of paganism. During this time, numerous rituals were associated with this important event. Few dared to neglect them, as it was believed they determined a person's fate for the entire year following the solstice.

The Slavs celebrated a special holiday on the day of the summer solstice called Ivan Kupala. Today, it is linked to the church holiday of St. John the Baptist, and thus has a fixed date (following the transition to the New Julian calendar on September 1, 2023, it will be the night of June 24).

Following the baptism of Kyivan Rus, pagan rituals gradually lost popularity. Nevertheless, some traditions and signs endured. In many countries, this holiday persists. For instance, in Finland, the longest day of the year is referred to as Johannus and has even become an official public holiday.

Folk beliefs about the Summer Solstice

Witnessing the dawn on the Summer Solstice ensures protection from misfortune for the coming year.

A starry and clear night on June 20 foretells a bountiful harvest of mushrooms in early fall.

Abundant dew on the grass in the morning signifies a plentiful harvest.