**Previous Episode: [[BDE332]]** **Next Episode: [[BDE334]]** %%Post image thumbnail below.%%  > [!abstract|no-i] **Episode Overview** **Date Aired:** [[06-20-2024]] **Title:** Hermetic Secrets of the Summer Solstice **Episode:** 333 **Description:** A dig into the world of secret societies and conspiracies in order to shine a light on the hidden influence of the summer solstice on the esoteric world. **Link:** https://rumble.com/v52ssci-big-dig-energy-333-hermetic-secrets-of-the-summer-solstice.html **Tags:** %%<https://historydraft.com/happened/what-happened/1-January/world>%% ## Replay %% Get embed URL then highlight and hit ALT + I%% <iframe src="https://rumble.com/embed/v50gjk3/?pub=6eeyh" allow="fullscreen" allowfullscreen="" style="height:100%;width:100%; aspect-ratio: 16 / 9; "></iframe> <br> ## Greetings & Announcements 1. Happy Birthday Claire! ## Segments **Intro:** We're going to take a little journey into the world of secret societies and conspiracy theories tonight, and dig into the significance of the summer solstice and its connections to various organizations and belief systems. I hope to cover topics including the role of the Sun in Freemasonry, the practices of the Order of the Golden Dawn, and the celebrations of Wiccans and Druids during the solstice—notably at Stonehenge. (There's a ceremony there that starts at 10pm my time I was planning on looking in on with you.) And perhaps together we can shed a little light (sorry, I can't help but make the pun) on the hidden mysteries of the summer solstice and its influence on the esoteric world. ### The Acolyte  [Dear TV writers: Please stop being weird about pronouns - Polygon](https://www.polygon.com/24177908/star-wars-acolyte-tv-they-them-pronouns-stop-being-weird-about-it)  [Diss Track on Instagram (cringe!)](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8aorYEx2ZQ/) ### Just Stop Oil & Stonehenge [Tweet Link](https://twitter.com/JustStop_Oil/status/1803390932848394570)  ### Stonehenge Solstice Celebrations  From 2011:  ### Stonehenge 2024 English Heritage [Website](https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/things-to-do/solstice/Summer-Solstice-2024/): > Stonehenge was built to align with the sun on the solstices. On the summer solstice, the sun rises behind the Heel Stone in the north-east part of the horizon and its first rays shine into the heart of Stonehenge. On the winter solstice, the sun sets to the south-west of the stone circle. > > Summer solstice will be celebrated from the evening of Thursday 20th June to the morning of Friday 21st June 2024. Sunrise and sunset will be live streamed on the official English Heritage YouTube channel. If you plan to attend in person, please read the following page carefully.  [Summer Solstice 2024: Sunset Live from Stonehenge](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVMcdFw_Hy4) [Summer Solstice 2024: Sunrise Live from Stonehenge](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRBFJg3Plsk) — Starts at 10pm CST. ### What is the Summer Solstice? The Solstices: Sol = sun; Stitium= to make stand still The summer solstice is an astronomical event that occurs when the Earth's axial tilt is most inclined towards the Sun, resulting in the longest day and shortest night of the year. At the solstice, the sun appears to "stand still" because the position of the sunrise on the horizon changes very little for a few days.  ### The Hermetic Order A Hermetic Order is a group or organization that focuses on the study and practice of esoteric knowledge, often based on the teachings of ancient wisdom traditions, such as Hermeticism, Kabbalah, and alchemy. The term "Hermetic" refers to the teachings of Hermes Trismegistus, a legendary figure considered to be the founder of Western esotericism. Hermetic Orders are usually secretive and structured into various levels or degrees, with members progressing through these levels by completing specific rituals and learning various esoteric teachings. Some well-known Hermetic Orders include the Order of the Golden Dawn and the Rosicrucian Order. --- Several societies and occult groups are known for celebrating the summer solstice, including: Wiccans and other Neopagan groups: - They celebrate the summer solstice as Litha, a festival honoring the Sun's power, fertility, and abundance. Also known as Midsummer, Litha is cherished for its "high energy and intense sunlight. Pagans honor this time with festivities that embrace the sun's power, symbolizing growth, prosperity, and renewal." - Source: [The Busy Pagan](https://thebusypagan.com/pagan-holidays/litha/#:~:text=Litha%20is%20a%20Pagan%20holiday,high%20energy%20and%20intense%20sunlight.) - Druids: - They gather at Stonehenge and other ancient sites to celebrate the solstice, believing it to be a time of spiritual growth and connection with nature. - The Order of the Golden Dawn: - They recognize the summer solstice as an important date in their magical workings, often using it as a time for initiation rituals. - Freemasons: - Some Masonic lodges hold and have held previously special events during the summer solstice, as the Sun plays a significant role in their symbolism and rituals. Hermetic groups, such as the Order of the Golden Dawn, place importance on the summer solstice due to its symbolic and spiritual significance. The Sun, which reaches its highest point in the sky during the solstice, is a central symbol in many esoteric traditions, representing wisdom, enlightenment, and spiritual growth. The solstice serves as a time for spiritual reflection, growth, and renewal, as it marks the peak of the Sun's power and influence. Hermetic groups may hold special ceremonies, rituals, or gatherings during the solstice to honor the Sun's importance in their beliefs and practices and to connect with its spiritual energy. #### The Order of the Golden Dawn The Order of the Golden Dawn was a late 19th-century Hermetic Order, founded in 1887, that taught spiritual and magical practices based on various esoteric traditions, including Kabbalah, Tarot, alchemy, and ancient Egyptian and Greek mythology. The Order was founded by William Wynn Westcott, Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers, and Dr. William Robert Woodman. The Golden Dawn was structured into several levels, with members progressing through these levels by completing specific rituals and learning various magical and spiritual teachings. The Order was known for its diverse membership, which included artists, writers, and other influential figures of the time, such as W.B. Yeats, Aleister Crowley, and A.E. Waite. The Order of the Golden Dawn eventually experienced internal conflicts and schisms, leading to its decline in the early 20th century. However, its teachings and practices continue to influence modern occult and magical traditions. [Direct Link](https://dn790001.ca.archive.org/0/items/PatZalewski-EquinoxAndSolsticeCeremoniesOfTheGoldenDawn-1992/ZalewskiPat-EquinoxAndSolsticeCeremoniesOfTheGoldenDawn-1992.pdf) <div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 60%;"><iframe src="https://docs.google.com/viewer?embedded=true&url=https://dn790001.ca.archive.org/0/items/PatZalewski-EquinoxAndSolsticeCeremoniesOfTheGoldenDawn-1992/ZalewskiPat-EquinoxAndSolsticeCeremoniesOfTheGoldenDawn-1992.pdf" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div> --- [Golden Dawn Ancient Mystery School - Esoteric Order of the Golden Dawn](http://goldendawnancientmysteryschool.com/) #### Freemasonry  The Sun holds significant importance in Freemasonry, symbolizing wisdom, enlightenment, and spiritual growth. It is often associated with the concept of the "Great Architect of the Universe," a Supreme Being or divine principle that governs the universe and serves as the foundation of Masonic beliefs. In Masonic symbolism, the Sun represents the journey of the soul through life, with its rising and setting symbolizing the cycles of birth, death, and rebirth. The Sun's position in the sky during various times of the day, such as sunrise and sunset, is often incorporated into Masonic rituals and ceremonies, emphasizing its role as a source of light, guidance, and inspiration. Additionally, the Sun's association with the number 12, representing the twelve signs of the zodiac and the twelve hours of the day, is connected to the organizational structure of Freemasonry, which is divided into twelve degrees or levels of initiation. [The Sun, Moon, and Stars | Masonic Articles](https://www.universalfreemasonry.org/en/article/sun-moon-and-stars) %%Footer Starts Here%% --- <center><img src="https://archive.is/do5ay/df25cfff93575f174c387ac9f4c64744da0fadb9.png" alt="Keep digging!" height="100px"></center> --- ## Tags ### Linked Pages & Footnotes