Midsommar

When time turns

At the end of June, the sun reaches its northernmost point – a moment the Swedes call Midsommar. The word stems from Old Norse and passed through Old English midsumor (mid = middle, sumor = summer) into its modern form. Astronomically, it marks the summer solstice on June 21st ± 1 day. It is always celebrated on the Friday/Saturday closest to June 24th – with flower wreaths, strawberry cake, and a midsommarstång (maypole) wound with birch leaves, around which people dance deep into the bright night.

What the solstice triggers in nature

The chorus falls silent – Once breeding and territorial defense are complete, blackbirds, song thrushes, and robins stop their courtship songs; usually from early July onwards. By the end of July, mornings are noticeably quieter.

The bees retreat – At the summer solstice, a colony reaches its greatest strength with around 50,000 summer bees. Shortly after, the queen reduces egg-laying and the colony slowly shrinks to about 10,000 winter bees. Now the drone massacres begin – unnecessary mouths to feed are expelled before winter.

Scents deepen – Higher temperatures and sustained warmth increase the terpene emissions of many plants. Resins from pines, cypresses, and Mediterranean herbs now hang heavy in the warm evening air. Summer smells of resin and hot stone.

Melancholy and abundance together

Midsummer marks not an endpoint, but a turning point: the days grow shorter again, yet three full months of warmth and ripeness still lie ahead of us. The grand crescendo of early summer gives way to a quieter, golden-toned light. It is the time when gardens concentrate their fragrance and evenings last longer without ever truly becoming dark. And each morning brings a trace more dew.

"Midsommar" or "Midsummer"?

In English texts, both are understood. Those referring to the Scandinavian holiday do best to stick with the original spelling Midsommar – it carries the sound of its source within it. **"Midsummer"** appears in gardening calendars as a phenological reference point.

Skål – to summer, while it lasts.