Midsummer: Celebrating the Summer Solstice

the ritual fire on the Midsummer Night in Belarus

Where do people celebrate Midsummer?

Every year plenty of European people celebrate the Summer Solstice. On Midsummer Day Belarusians and Russians celebrate the so-called “Kupalie” or “Ivan Kupala”, Bulgarians have Enyovden, there is Jani or Liigo in Latvia, Ukon juhla or Juhannus is celebrated in Finland and St. Hans Day is found in Sweden.

When do people celebrate Midsummer or Summer Solstice?

Originally Midsummer is a pagan holiday. It was known in Ancient Greece and some other cultures as well. In Christianity the holiday is associated with John the Baptist. Catholic Christians celebrate the Summer Solstice on 24 June but Orthodox Christians celebrate it on the eve of June 7.

Midsummer Rituals

The main magic forces of this festival are water, fire and herbals. All of them possess magic powers which give people spiritual enlightenment and make them healthier.

Protection, luck and happiness

Midsummer night is pleasant for mermaids,
 water spirits and other supernatural creatures

Swimming, dancing together around a huge bonfire and making flower wreaths are typical activities on the Midsummer Night. Such a traditional ritual as jumping over the fire is thought to bring happiness. Women used to burn clothes of their ill children in the sacred fire so that no more illnesses could be caught by their poor things. Farm animals would also take part in the celebration. The farmers walked their cows or sheep near the fire. That was considered to protect the animals from evil spirits and illnesses. Such farm animals as horses were locked in the barn. It was made in order to keep them safe from evil spirits.

Herbs, treasure and talking animals

Ivan Kupala in Russia

Herbs gathered during the Midsummer night have been used for fumigation of the house, fighting against demonic forces and simply in household. The main magic symbol of Kupale in Belarus is still thought to be a fern. If you find its blooming flower, it can show you the way to some treasure. It is believed to blossom only on the midsummer night. If this magic night can make a fern bloom, it’s no wonder that trees are believed to walk from place to place and even talk. Animals are able to speak that night as well.

As for people, they should not sleep all Midsummer night. They ought to keep an eye on everything around them. Otherwise, demonic forces could do them and their domestic animals lots of harm.