There are two solstices in the year – winter and summer. In the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice occurs on December 21 (on a leap year – December 22), when the shortest day and the longest night of the year are observed. The summer solstice falls on June 21 (on a leap year – June 20) – this is the longest day and the shortest night. The inhabitants of the northern part of the Earth enter the beginning of astronomical summer from this moment, while in the southern hemisphere, astronomical winter begins. For several days following the solstice, the midday heights of the Sun in the sky remain almost unchanged – hence the term "solstice." On June 21, it seems to pause at the highest point of maximum declination, and then it starts to descend southward, shortening the daylight hours. **Signs and Customs** Our ancestors paid great attention to natural phenomena that were endowed with mystical properties. The summer solstice was no exception. Most of the signs associated with this day are related to the weather, which is not surprising: the harvest depended on it, and thus the family's livelihood for the entire following year. For instance, rainy weather foretold prolonged bad weather and poor harvests. Even a couple of clouds in the summer sky was considered a bad omen. However, the absence of rain clouds on the night before the solstice predicted a good mushroom harvest in the fall. On the night of the 21st to the 22nd, one could attract luck. There was a tradition to walk around the house and turn over everything that came to hand, then say: "House upside down, changes every day." But in the morning, everything had to be returned to its place. It was also believed that if a young man splashed water on a girl on the day of the summer solstice, they would soon get married. Furthermore, people were convinced that if one danced all night around nine bonfires, marriage would be ensured in the near future. On the day following the solstice, it was customary to weed the garden. It was believed that if no effort was made, there would be no harvest.