Next: about 23 to 24 Jun 2027
Midsummer and St John's Eve
The night around the summer solstice, when plants are said to be at their strongest, bonfires are lit, and girls try to see their future husbands.
About Midsummer and St John's Eve
Across northern and central Europe, the eve of St John's Day, 23 June, is the great midsummer night. Herbs gathered on it, such as St John's wort, mugwort and fern, were believed to have special power, and bunches of them were hung over doors against witches and lightning. Bonfires were lit on hills and rolled burning wheels downhill. Girls in Sweden put seven flowers under the pillow to dream of a husband, and in Latvia and Estonia the night is kept with wreaths and songs. The fires are sometimes read as sun rites, though early accounts speak of them as protection against witches and for fertility of crops. In Scandinavia and Finland the weekend nearest the solstice is a major holiday.
Also part of it, and being written: Midsummer (The festival across Europe.), Saint John's Eve (The Christian eve and its customs.), Summer solstice (The astronomical event.), Bonfire (The midsummer fires.).
Written by the EveryJaadu desk with AI assistance. Background: "Midsummer" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from place to place and family to family, and are described as belief and practice. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.