tradition
Midsummer
Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010 | life, mythical, vintage | 99 Comments
On the 24th of June, there is the so-called Midsummer, known in the Cristian calendar as the day of birth of Saint John the Baptist. This holiday always revives our innermost rhythms and our connection with nature, as it ritually marks the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. Therefore, all around Europe people have different rituals of celebrating Midsummer, which, in the old pagan world had an importance equal to nowadays Christmas (well, let’s not think of the whole commercial fuss about Xmas right now), which coincides with the winter solstice. Also, Midsummer ritual are reported as well in US or Canada, but lets not take now the shallow neopaganism into consideration and let us focus on genuine tradition.
The evening of 23rd of June is Midsummer’s Eve, and it is an evening for magic and bliss. Most medicinal and magical plants are picked up today, since their healing powers are assumed to reach their peak around midnight or before dawn. Waters are said to be healing also. Bonfires are lit to protect from evil spirits, and spells for growth and fertility are made, some involving beautiful wreaths of flowers and fresh leaves. Love rituals, especially, are everywhere: mock marriages are arranged both between adults as between children, and if a girl puts a bunch of flowers under her pillow she is said to dream of her future spouse that night.
It is a time of magic, but this magic has a sense of humour also – not to forget Shakespeare’s comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, with the whole bunch of tricks the forest fairies play on one another and on people.
At sunrise, the sun winks, plays and smiles, or so the legend says – however, if you get to see the sunrise, you’ll be blessed and lucky through the year. It is a feast of life, of life at its very best.
