Summer Solstice Bonfire

Summer Solstice Bonfire

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Summer Solstice signifies the start of summer and the longest day of the year. For Iqalummiut, we watched the sun (sort of) set at 23:00 (that’s 11 PM) and rise again (sort of) at 02:11. We say sort of, because the sun doesn’t really set for us right now; it merely dips below the horizon before ascending back into the sky. Nonetheless, we still celebrated summer solstice, if only to welcome the end of never-ending twilight and starless skies. Also, because we Iqalummiut really like big fires. As usual, our festivities took place at Sylvia Grinnell, at a river bend in the park. Thanks to everyone who organized, danced, and burned with us under the stormy clouds. Extra special thanks to the weather gods for allowing us a 6-hour respite from the pouring rain, so that we could actually have our little fire festival.

The solstice sun breaking through the clouds, signalling the start of our celebrations.

The solstice sun breaking through the clouds, signalling the start of our celebrations.

Bonfire blazing before the sun dipped (briefly) below the horizon.

Bonfire blazing before the sun dipped (briefly) below the horizon.

Sara, Katrina, and Anubha in homemade flower crowns. Full disclosure: We used fake flowers.

Sara, Katrina, and Anubha in homemade flower crowns. Full disclosure: We used fake flowers.

Stephanie manning the makeshift beer cooler. You don't need ice when you have a really cold raging river.

Stephanie manning the makeshift beer cooler. You don’t need ice when you have a really cold raging river.

Jamesee, aka "The Scientist", offering drinks to partygoers and/or Father Sky.

Jamesee, aka Science, offering drinks to partygoers and/or Father Sky.

Flower children for the endless night.

Flower children for the endless night.

Sean

Sean thawing by the fire in his apropos tie dye tee.

Mother Earth, as played by Bernita.

Mother Earth, as played by Bernita.

Jonathan of NUSCHOOL offering libations, in the form of Jello shots, to the deities.

Jonathan of NUSCHOOL offering libations, in the form of Jello shots, to the deities.

The crowd getting ready for fireworks.

The crowd getting ready for fireworks.

We offer the pagan gods fire in many forms.

We offer the pagan gods fire in many forms.

Perpetual twilight, Never changing skies, And the end of solstice.

Perpetual twilight at 02:00,
Never changing skies,
And the end of solstice.

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