Midsummer is the most celebrated holiday in Scandinavia and other countries in the North besides Christmas. Celebrated on the Friday and Saturday between June 19th and the 24th, Midsummer is a time of bacchanalian traditions. The festivities of the Solstice include dances around Maypoles, bonfires, outdoor barbecues, and copious amounts of vodka; families and friends enjoying the longest day of the year. It is also one of the most magical. Shakespeare even wrote a play about it.
Midsummer is also a time to beware.The bonfires originally were to meant to ward off dragons which were especially active to keep them away from the local water supplies. It was believed the dragons poisoned wells. Sprites, faeries, and daevas are also playing mischief with unsuspecting humans.
For the Druids, this was a time when the young people of the villages drank and danced and paired off. The couple would stay together for a year. during this time, if a child was born, the couple remained together to raise the child. If there was no off-spring, each partner was free to dance around the Maypole the following year with a new partner.
This is also a time when the passage between this world and the spirit world is open. So bonfires were like keeping the lights on. Even now it is said that if a person sits in a dark room and looks into a mirror by the light of a single candle, the people watching from the other side can be seen. This can be an amazing opportunity to re-connect with loved ones who have passed to discuss unfinished business with them. This is their chance to let the people left behind they are loved and cared for.
Midsummer is also a time to beware.The bonfires originally were to meant to ward off dragons which were especially active to keep them away from the local water supplies. It was believed the dragons poisoned wells. Sprites, faeries, and daevas are also playing mischief with unsuspecting humans.
For the Druids, this was a time when the young people of the villages drank and danced and paired off. The couple would stay together for a year. during this time, if a child was born, the couple remained together to raise the child. If there was no off-spring, each partner was free to dance around the Maypole the following year with a new partner.
This is also a time when the passage between this world and the spirit world is open. So bonfires were like keeping the lights on. Even now it is said that if a person sits in a dark room and looks into a mirror by the light of a single candle, the people watching from the other side can be seen. This can be an amazing opportunity to re-connect with loved ones who have passed to discuss unfinished business with them. This is their chance to let the people left behind they are loved and cared for.
No comments:
Post a Comment