🌞 Summer Solstice
The summer solstice, occurring around June 20–21 in the Northern Hemisphere, is the year’s longest day and has been celebrated across cultures for millennia. Its significance lies not only in marking the peak of sunlight but also in symbolizing renewal, fertility, and the enduring connection between humanity and nature.
🔥 Ancient Traditions and Rituals
In Neolithic Europe, communities such as the Celts, Slavs, and Germanic tribes lit bonfires during the solstice. These fires were believed to bolster the sun’s strength for the remainder of the growing season, ensuring a bountiful harvest. Such practices highlight the solstice’s role in agricultural societies, where the sun’s power was directly linked to survival and prosperity. National Trust
In Ancient China, the summer solstice was a time to honour the earth, femininity, and the force known as yin. Celebrations included various traditions and rituals, such as dragon boat races, which still occur today. Slow North
The Ancient Greeks used the summer solstice as the start of their calendars and began a month-long countdown to the Olympic Games. PCS Edventures
🌍 Global Celebrations
Stonehenge, England: This prehistoric monument is famously aligned with the sunrise on the summer solstice. Each year, thousands gather to witness the sun rising directly above the Heel Stone, casting its rays into the heart of the stone circle.
Scandinavia: Known as Midsummer, the solstice is one of the most significant holidays. Celebrations include dancing around the maypole, singing traditional songs, and feasting on local delicacies. Bonfires are lit to ward off evil spirits and to celebrate the triumph of light over darkness. Wikipedia+3Eugene Parks Foundation+3New York Post+3
Latvia: The festival of Jāņi is celebrated with singing, dancing, and the lighting of bonfires. People wear flower crowns and engage in various rituals to promote fertility and prosperity. People.com+5Wikipedia+5National Trust+5
🌚 Modern Interpretations
Today, the summer solstice continues to inspire celebrations worldwide. In Santa Barbara, California, the Summer Solstice Parade features vibrant floats, costumes, and performances, attracting large crowds. Wikipedia
In New York City, thousands participate in all-day yoga sessions in Times Square, embracing the sun’s energy and the season’s vitality. Vogue
These contemporary events, while diverse in expression, share a common thread: a reverence for the sun’s life-giving force and a celebration of community, nature, and renewal.
The summer solstice serves as a powerful reminder of our intrinsic connection to the Earth’s cycles. Whether through ancient rituals or modern festivities, this celestial event continues to unite people in honouring the sun’s peak and the abundance it brings
Written with the help of ChatGPT
Calgary Lilac Festival
Sunday, June 1 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm MDT
We’re excited to announce that Rocky Mountain Atheists will be setting up a booth at this year’s Calgary Lilac Festival (4th Street SW from 12th Avenue to Elbow Drive SW) on Sunday, June 1, and we want YOU to be a part of it!
Whether you’re an atheist, agnostic, or just curious about our community, visit us at our booth to learn more about the organization, our upcoming events, and the values we stand for. This is an excellent opportunity to meet like-minded individuals, ask questions, and connect with people who care about critical thinking, secularism, and the importance of free thought in our society.
We need volunteers to help staff the booth throughout the day. Volunteering is a great way to be actively involved, meet others, and help raise awareness about our mission. If you’re available, sign up and join us in making our booth a success!
Go to our Meetup Page for more details.
Life Without Religion – Online
Thursday, June 5
First Thursday of every month at 7:00 pm MDT
Live Without Religion (LWR) is a peer support group for people whose lives have been negatively impacted by religion. Nearly anyone who has left a fundamentalist or high-control religion can tell you that it leaves not only scars but sometimes open wounds. Nothing helps with the healing better than sharing your experience and discussing how to heal with others who have had a similar experience. That mutual support is what we find in LWR meetings. If you want to learn more about LWR, contact Lois at loislwr@gmail.com.
Movie – Dogma, The Resurrection Tour – 25th Anniversary showing
Friday, June 6
Landmark Cinemas, Calgary, Country Hills, 300-388 Country Hills Blvd NE
Get Your Tickets Ahead Of Time Before They Sell Out!
https://www.landmarkcinemas.com/booking?cinemaId=184&filmId=125991&sessionId=10976174
Go to our Meetup Page for more details
Coffee Chat Online
Monday, June 9
Second Monday of every month at 1:00 pm MDT
Our Coffee Chat is an enjoyable, unstructured afternoon conversation. Anyone can introduce an idea or ask a question, and the group will jump in and discuss it. You never know where the conversation will go, but it is always interesting and sometimes even educational. Join us and add your two-cents-worth.
Go to our Meetup page to register and get the Zoom link.
Book Club
Thursday, June 12
Second Thursday of every month at 7:00 pm MDT
This month, the Book Club will be discussing the book The Deadly Rise of Anti-Science, by Peter J. Hotez.
Head over to our Meetup page to register and get the Zoom link.
Life Without Religion – Online
Tuesday, June 17
Third Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm MDT
Live Without Religion (LWR) is a peer support group for people whose lives have been negatively impacted by religion. Nearly anyone who has left a fundamentalist or high-control religion can tell you that it leaves not only scars but sometimes open wounds. Nothing helps with the healing better than sharing your experience and discussing how to heal with others who have had a similar experience. That mutual support is what we find in LWR meetings. If you want to learn more about LWR, contact Lois at loislwr@gmail.com.
Monthly Board Meeting
Friday, June 20
Third Friday of the month at 6:00 pm MDT
The Dorset Pub https://www.thedorset.ca/, 1637 37 St SW · Calgary, AB
The Board of RMA meets on the 3rd Friday of each month, before the Skeptics in the Pub. Meetings are open to all but only Board members can vote.
Check out our Meetup page for details.
Skeptics in the Pub
Friday, June 20
Third Friday of each month at 7:00 pm MDT at The Dorset Pub https://www.thedorset.ca/
Come to the pub, meet like-minded people and have thought-provoking discussions, along with a drink and some food.
You can register on our Meetup Page.
Movie Night
Monday, June 23
Fourth Monday of every month at 7:00 pm MDT
This month’s movie was not selected yet. Head over to our Meetup Page, to register, get updates and the Zoom link.
WeCanReason Webinar
Wednesday, June 25
Fourth Wednesday of every month at 7:00 pm MDT
Saving Your Mental Health from the Wellness Industry
This presentation, based on the book MIND THE SCIENCE: SAVING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH FROM THE WELLNESS INDUSTRY, aims to educate and embolden those who wish to make informed decisions about their mental health, to improve science and mental health literacy, and to pull back the curtain on the devastating consequences of allowing pseudoscience promoters to target the vulnerable within our society
Head over to our Meetup Page to register and get the Zoom link.
All details of our events can be found on our Meetup Page at https://www.meetup.com/rockymountainatheists/events/.