As we’re nearing the midpoint of summer here in the Northern Hemisphere (and because I’ve been immersed in Jeff Wheeler’s world of Muirwood recently where the Whitsun holiday is featured), I can’t help but think of the celebration of the same name held throughout Europe.
I’m always curious and fascinated by other cultures, so I did a little research. Without getting into the religious aspects of the Midsummer holiday, which Wikipedia tells me originated as the pagan celebration of Summer’s Day, I learned it’s a celebration to ring in the beginning of the season, not the middle as the name suggests. That’s because certain ancient calendars, including the old Anglo-Saxon one, had only two seasons: summer and winter. For those who followed these calendars, summer would have started around mid-April. So Midsummer would have been right around the time astronomical summer begins, roughly June 21st. Sadly, it’s too late for me to celebrate the holiday this year, either way 😉
But there’s always next year, right? If you’re interested in doing it up right, you need only choose which ritual you’d enjoy best and where. One of the most common traditions is to greet the summer solstice with a bonfire, like they do in Tyrol, Austria. This widespread practice is likely related to fire as a method of cleansing, starting anew. In Sweden, it’s a time to merrily indulge in traditional food and drink and maypole dancing while wearing festive crowns of flowered wreaths. If you’re interested in a more reserved observation of the occasion, you could visit Croatia where stargazing is the norm on Midsummer’s Eve. Or you could join the crowd that gathers at England’s Stonehenge, where the sun aligns above the stone circle at sunrise that day. Not to be left out, certain places in the U.S. have begun their own Midsummer celebrations in recent years. For example, In Times Square in New York, NY, the summer solstice sunrise is saluted with, well, sun salutations, and yoga is practiced all day until sunset.
Besides those, there are many, many more Midsummer celebrations around the globe, all with their own cultural flavors and significance. Just a few more checkboxes to add to my bucket list… Which Midsummer celebration(s) have you experienced? Which would you like to take part in? Which is/would be your favorite? I’d love to hear about it!
