The Midsummer Solstice refers to the point at which the sun reaches its greatest declination to the south. It marks the beginning of the sun's maximum height in the sky, making it the longest day of the year. The Summer Solstice brings Johannisnacht (the birthday of St. John the Baptist), June 24, and it brings Sonnwend (solstice) celebrations and midsummer nights (Shakespeare). The themes of a solstice festival are light and warmth. Pagans used to signify such themes with Midsummer bonfires. Young men and women leaped over the flames. Old wives claimed that the summer's crops would grow as high as the leapers were able to jump.

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