[ExI] Happy Solstice!

[Alex Ramonsky]

Great! Thanks loads for this  :  )
It's actually where the confusion began, as I lived in Ireland for over 
a decade, and the older generation claimed that summer began "around" 
May 4th -I believe this is a 'cross quarter day', in Ireland known as 
Bealtaine (Irish for May), which moves about (as does the solstice), so 
there was no set date and May 1st was celebrated as being "close enough 
for folk music"  :  )
When I got back to the UK I was surprised at the 'Solstice' choice for 
summer's beginning because before I left (1984) I'd never heard it said!
Best,
AR
***********

scerir at tiscali.it wrote:

>alex:
>My question is, why is it _called_ "midsummer solstice" in cultures 
>that 
>believe it's the beginning of summer? 
>
>The link below says something about that
>http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_170b.html
>  
>