<P> "The Summer Solstice", also known as "Tatarin" or "Tadtarin", is a short story written by Filipino National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin . In addition to being regarded as one of Joaquin's most acclaimed literary works, the tale is considered to be controversial . The story narrates a ritual performed by women to invoke the gods to grant the blessing of fertility by dancing around a Balete tree that was already a century old . Joaquin later turned this short story into a play entitled Tatarin: A Witches' Sabbath in Three Acts, on which a film adaptation has been based . </P> <P> Tatarin, also sometimes spelled Tadtarin, was a three - day traditional fertility ritual involving women and held during summer in the Philippines . The last day of the festival coincided with St. John's Day; a Catholic feast . Men dressed as women were able to participate in the pagan celebration . It is similar to the fertility rites of Obando, Bulacan . </P>

The summer solstice by nick joaquin short story