Midsummer, or the summer solstice, is an important time of celebration for many pagan cultures throughout history. It is a time of abundance, fertility, and the peak of summer. Pagan festivities during midsummer were centered around the sun, fire, and nature. **One of the main traditions** during midsummer was the lighting of bonfires. Bonfires were lit on hilltops or in community gathering spaces and were believed to have protective and purifying properties. It was believed that the fires would help ward off evil spirits and bring good luck for the rest of the year.
It was believed that the fires would help ward off evil spirits and bring good luck for the rest of the year. People would jump over the fires or walk between them to purify themselves and bring blessings. **Another common activity** during midsummer festivities was the gathering of medicinal herbs and flowers.
Syrie James
Midsummer’s Day is almost here! It’s full of fun and fascinating traditions, and thought to be the most magical day of the year in many places around the world. Originally an ancient pagan holiday to celebrate the summer solstice (the longest day of the year), Midsummer’s Day is usually observed on June 24, the feast day of John the Baptist, with festivities beginning the night before on Midsummer’s Eve.
The most famous reference to Midsummer’s Eve is William Shakespeare’s play, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” in which young lovers, a troupe of actors, and fairies have romantic and comical misadventures in the forest on Midsummer’s night.
The holiday is still actively celebrated in dozens of countries across Europe and in parts of the United Kingdom, Ireland, North and South America, and Russia. Feasting and merrymaking are a widespread tradition on Midsummer’s Eve, accompanied in nearly every nation by the lighting of bonfires. In olden days, the bonfire was thought to protect against powerful, evil spirits and witches, who were believed to roam freely when the sun was turning southward again. The bigger the fire, it was said, the further the mischievous spirits would stay away.
The 13th-century monk of Winchcomb in Gloucestershire, England, who compiled a book of sermons for the feast days, recorded that on St. John’s Eve, fires were lit to drive away dragons, which were thought to be abroad poisoning springs and wells.
Jumping over the flames at a summer solstice celebration in Spain.
In some countries, people dance barefoot on the bonfire’s smoldering embers, or jump over the flames. Leaping successfully over a Midsummer’s Eve bonfire is considered by many as a way to guarantee prosperity and avoid bad luck. In Spain, a person leaps three times while crying ‘meigas fora,’ which means ‘witches off!’
In some countries, Sweden in particular, Midsummer’s Eve is celebrated by raising a maypole covered in greens and flowers, and dancing around it to traditional music while singing and feasting.
Dancing around the maypole is an essential part of the Swedish Midsummer’s Day celebration.
Midsummer has long been thought to be one of the times of the year when magic is strongest, and there are many traditions and rituals that involve the night’s power to heal or to look into the future. In Bulgaria, it is said that anyone staying up and seeing the sunrise will be healthy throughout the year.
A Swedish tradition holds that if an unmarried woman collects bouquets of seven or nine different flowers and places them under her pillow, she will dream of her future husband. It was once believed that herbs picked at Midsummer were extremely potent, and water from springs had curative powers.
Another ancient tradition claims that any rose picked on Midsummer’s Eve or Midsummer’s Day will keep fresh until Christmas, and that at midnight on Midsummer’s Eve, if young girls scatter rose petals (called “rose leaves” at the time) and repeat an ancient saying, the next day their true love will visit them.
The saying goes as follows:
Rose leaves, rose leaves, rose leaves I strew;
He that will love me, come after me now.
I found these rituals and traditions so fascinating that I included some of them in my novel Jane Austen’s First Love, a book which is inspired by a true story.
Read on for an exclusive excerpt from the novel, about a very special moment Jane Austen experiences on Midsummer’s Eve in 1791.
Jane, mature for her 15 years and brimming with romantic ideals and literary ambition, is staying at Goodnestone Park in Kent, home of the Bridges family. There—over one mad, matchmaking summer—she falls in love with a remarkable young man, Edward Taylor. At a Midsummer’s Eve bonfire, Jane finds herself alone just after midnight with Edward Taylor:
Our eyes met and held in the moonlight. “I wish we could stay up until sunrise, like the Bulgarians,” said Edward. “I feel that I could talk to you all night.”
“I feel the same.”
What happened next took me by surprise. He leaned in close—very close—and said softly: “We proved the ancient Midsummer’s Eve legend tonight, did we not, Miss Jane?”
His nearness took my breath away; I could barely speak. “What do you mean?”
“Didn’t you toss the rose petals and recite the saying?”
I nodded.
“Was it me you hoped would come after you?”
A blush warmed my cheeks, silently admitting to the truth of his observations. He smiled.
“Well: it is Midsummer’s Day, and here I am, answering your call.” So saying, he gently kissed my cheek. Drawing back slightly, he paused for a long moment, looking at me. Then he turned and strode away across the grass ….
Reader, did any of these Midsummer’s Day traditions surprise or intrigue you? Do you and your family celebrate Midsummer’s Day? If so, how do you celebrate? Please share by leaving a comment!
Further Reading:
- Wikiwand
- Project Britain
- Excerpt from Chapter One, Jane Austen’s First Love
Another ancient tradition claims that any rose picked on Midsummer’s Eve or Midsummer’s Day will keep fresh until Christmas, and that at midnight on Midsummer’s Eve, if young girls scatter rose petals (called “rose leaves” at the time) and repeat an ancient saying, the next day their true love will visit them.
This practice was believed to harness the healing and magical properties of the plants, as midsummer was seen as a time of heightened power and potency in the natural world. Wildflowers such as St. John's Wort and yarrow were often collected and used for their medicinal properties or in rituals and charms. **Dancing and singing** were also important elements of midsummer celebrations. These rituals were seen as a way to harmonize with the energy of the season and attract abundance and good fortune. In some traditions, maypole dances were performed, where people would weave ribbons around a tall pole, representing the union of the masculine and feminine energies in nature. **In some pagan cultures**, it was believed that on the night of midsummer, the veil between worlds was thin, allowing for increased communication with spirits and the supernatural. Divination, or the practice of predicting the future, was commonly done during this time, using methods such as tarot cards, dream interpretation, or mirror gazing. The celebration of midsummer continues to be observed in modern pagan and neopagan traditions. These festivals often incorporate elements of the ancient pagan rituals, such as bonfires, dancing, and the gathering of herbs. They serve as a time for community, celebration, and connecting with the natural world during the height of summer..
Reviews for "Midsummer Festivals in Modern Paganism: Contemporary Practices and Interpretations"
1. Laura - 2 stars - I attended a pagan festival during midsummer and I have to say, it was not my cup of tea. The whole event felt disorganized and chaotic. There were people dressed in weird costumes running around, and the rituals seemed more like random acts than something meaningful. I also felt uncomfortable with the excessive use of alcohol and drugs by some attendees. Overall, the experience left me feeling disappointed and I won't be going back.
2. Mark - 1 star - I had high expectations for the pagan festivities during midsummer, but it turned out to be a complete letdown. The event was overcrowded, making it difficult to enjoy anything without being constantly pushed and shoved. The rituals lacked depth and spirituality, instead appearing like a performance for entertainment purposes. Additionally, there was a lack of organization and clear communication, leaving me feeling confused and disconnected. I do not recommend this event for anyone seeking a genuine pagan experience.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - As someone who was curious about pagan traditions, I decided to attend a midsummer festival. Unfortunately, the whole event felt like a cliché and a caricature of what paganism represents. The attendees seemed more interested in taking selfies and posting on social media than connecting with nature or engaging in spiritual practices. The lack of knowledge and understanding about the traditions also made it difficult to feel immersed in the experience. I left feeling disillusioned and with a sense that the festival lacked authenticity.
4. Mike - 2 stars - I had heard so much about the pagan festivities during midsummer, but my experience fell short of expectations. The event felt more like a commercialized gathering, with vendors selling unrelated products and loud music drowning out any attempt at quiet contemplation. The rituals also seemed rushed and superficial, with participants more concerned with capturing the perfect Instagram photo than connecting to any deeper meaning. It was a rather disappointing experience overall.