Midsummer is the period of time centered upon the Summer Solstice,
between June 20 and June 25. The exact
dates vary between different cultures and locations. The Sun reaches the peak of its powers; it is
the longest day of the year and the shortest night.
Midsummer
is the time when everything is abundant and flourishing. Flowers smell their sweetest, colors are their
most vibrant, trees are their greenest and berries are their sweetest. It is said that during a full moon on
Midsummer Eve a mortal may witness fairy dances and celebrations.
The
customs and traditions associated with Midsummer are many and varied. In Sweden, Germany and Wales, the Maypole
dance is performed on June 23, and is called the Midsummer Tree or Midsummer
Birch. In Wales, the branches of the
tree are cut and used to decorate the pole. The dancing, beginning at noon on Midsummer
Eve, is said to have continued for nine days in ancient times.
In
the Finnish Midsummer celebration, bonfires are very common and are burned at
lakesides and by the sea. Often two young birch trees are placed on
either side of the front door to welcome visitors. The traditional Midsummer party in Spain is
the celebration in honor of Saint John the Baptist.
In Geneva,
Illinois, USA, hosts a Swedish Day festival on the third Sunday of June. The event features maypole-raising, dancing,
and presentation of an authentic Viking ship, dating back to 1911. In South America and Austria, it is the burning
boat or candle boat. Paper boats are
filled with flowers, set afire and sailed off on the ocean or river, to carry
prayers to the Goddess.
In the
Harz Mountains, Germans keep up a custom of dancing around a tree of life on
the Summer Solstice. They cut a tall fir;
shave off the lower bark leaving its top green, decking it with flowers and
eggs. They put this sanctified tree in
the center of their Midsummer ritual, and come dressed in their festival best
to play music, sing and dance rounds.
Before
a tree is raised, greens and flowers are collected and used to cover the entire
pole. Midsummer poles were raised and
dressed with flowers and ribbons and cloths and crowned with ginger-cakes. Dancers course around the tree that they had
ritually set up and decorated. Musicians
play beneath the pole as dancers competed in hopes of winning the cakes. All over Europe, people dance with wreaths on
their heads, hopping and leaping to the music of bagpipes and
handclapping. And many people are
handfasted during these celebrations.
For your own Midsummer Tree, start by choosing a
tree. The apple tree was sacred to the Goddess Idunn. Idunn was the Maiden who provided golden
apples to the Gods that gave them eternal youthfulness. Birch
twigs were used to bring prosperity and to encourage conception. Cradles were once made from birch so that the
infant within would be protected.
The
oak tree is the tree of Zeus,
Jupiter, Hercules, Thor and other Gods. The
oak is the most sacred of all trees; its wood is often used in the making of
magical tools. Hang a sprig in the home
to ward of negativity and strengthen family unity. Carry a piece for wisdom and strength, for
luck, to preserve youthfulness and to increase attractiveness.
One
day Odin, Vili and Ve walked on the beach.
There they found two logs; one appeared to be from the Ash tree and the other appeared to come
from an Elm tree. The first man was given the name Ask and the
first woman was given the name Embla.
If
you have a maypole, you can decorate that.
Since this day is opposite to the Yule, try to find a deciduous
tree. Find a tree that has green leaves,
outside and easy to access. Be
respectful, if there is a nest in the tree or if it needs cutting to access
maybe choose another tree. Shortly
before the Solstice, decorate the honored tree or pole.
The
Midsummer is about life and light. You
do not want to cover the tree with plastic or harmful litter. Try pine cones, peanut butter, flowers, bird
seed, paper, fruit, feathers and solar lights.
Try hand-making some ornaments.
This is fun with children using paper, leaves or string. Use your imagination to string popcorn
together, loop paper ribbons into a chain, and hang berries or other decorative
offerings. If you are using a pole,
generally green leaves and flowers are wrapped around.
On
the day of the Solstice, attend to the tree.
Bring some music to dance around it at high noon. Weave prayers and offering into the
decorations. Start a bonfire to light
the night, singing and dancing between them.
This is also a good time to recharge tools and other items with sun
energy. Or
try the Yggdrasil mediation practice.
No
celebration is complete without a meal to go along with it. Try a picnic around the tree. Celebrate with foods that honor the fire and
energy of the sun. Enjoy light summery
snack wraps, some fiery grilled salmon and sweet candied ginger. Remember to share and thank the Divines for
your food.
A
picnic is a great idea for the more Urban Pagans or those without a tree or
pole. Go to a local park or roof top
with some treats for both humans and animals.
Make little piles of bird seed around your picnic area. Or if there are trees in the park, leave
natural offering in the tree limbs. Just
know the park rules.
Many
times during a handfasting (marriage), trees are decorated. Similar ideas could be used but like the
handfasting basket, try to fit the decorations to the couple. Many times photos, keepsakes, memories, prayer
cards or other items are used that match the theme or the couple.
Take
advantage of the extra hours of daylight and spend as much time as you can
outdoors. After the feast, clean any
litter. And do not leave a bonfire hot
and unattended. Have fun in the sun.
The sun is high above us
shining down upon the land and sea,
making things grow and bloom.
Great and powerful sun,
we honor you this day
and thank you for your gifts.
Ra, Helios, Sunna, Aten, Svarog,
you are known by many names.
You are the light over the crops,
the heat that warms the earth,
the hope that springs eternal,
the bringer of life.
We welcome you, and we honor you this day,
celebrating your light,
as we begin our journey once more
into the darkness.
shining down upon the land and sea,
making things grow and bloom.
Great and powerful sun,
we honor you this day
and thank you for your gifts.
Ra, Helios, Sunna, Aten, Svarog,
you are known by many names.
You are the light over the crops,
the heat that warms the earth,
the hope that springs eternal,
the bringer of life.
We welcome you, and we honor you this day,
celebrating your light,
as we begin our journey once more
into the darkness.
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