Kalokaíri 2025: Embracing Joy
Background: Kalokaíri, from the Greek καλοκαίρι meaning ‘Summer’ or ‘Summertime’, is the Summer Solstice Festival observed by Tempe Hyacinthus. The Solar Festival is not historic in its origins, and instead is a new festival created by and for The Temple. Kalokaíri is a celebration of the Summer Solstice and the height of solar energy.
The ‘Theme’ we have selected for this years Kalokaíri Festival is “Embracing Joy”, which may seem simple - but within the context of living in America in 2025 - is anything but.
Kalokaíri occurs during Ilaios (June) which is LGBTQ+ Pride Month in the United States, and in other countries such as Canada and Ireland. It is during this month that we celebrate Queer Love, Queer Existence, and Queer History. Because we have always been here, from the Goddess Cybele to the Public Universal Friend, from Marsha P. Johnson to Laverne Cox, humans have never existed without queerness in one form or another. During Ilaios, we celebrate Pride Month and also honor Prince Hyacinthus, namesake of our Temple and consort of Lord Apollo. The story of Prince Hyacinthus and Lord Apollo is a well suited allegory, even for modern queer people. Two men, or masculine presenting people, in love and joyous despite the odds and the world around them. One of them, taken too young, leaves the other behind to mourn - but also to keep his lover’s memory alive.
since the beginning of this new Presidential Administration, queer people have endured an intense onslaught of hatred, discrimination, and violence. Those of us who are queer and living in the Untied States are faced every day with the uncertainty of our future. Will we be able to keep our legal freedoms and protections, will we be able to continue to have access to the medications that keep us alive, will our marriages be voided and our families torn apart? In this climate, in this time, it is easy to find yourself in a state of despair - void of hope.
I invite us, all of us - queer or not - to reject despair for at least one day. Allow yourself to hope for at least one day. Create, foster, and embrace joy on this day of solar power. Celebrate the Sun itself in Lord Helios, and the light it brings in Lord Apollo. Celebrate the joy of love, be that romantic or platonic, that we can find in Prince Hyacinthus. Call upon whatever deity you choose and invite them to share with you in your joy, thank them for their domains - and the joy it brings into your life.
This Kalokaíri, much like every Kalokaíri, is a celebration of light.
Let light not just shine on you, but through you, allow yourself to be a channel for hope.
Eirene - peace and farewell.
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