Midsummer is the culmination of the northern summer. It might be only the beginning of the season in some warmer climates, but up north, it is the peak of summer. This is due to the summer solstice – the day is longest on the 21st June. Midsummer has also always considered one of the most propitious times for magic.
In Finland Midsummer festivities include a bonfire, grilled food and strawberry deserts, but also plenty of magical traditions.
The ancient people in England set up Maypoles and danced around them, which is still a common custom in Sweden (did this tradition come to England with Vikings?), but not in Finland (except in Swedish speaking areas).
Love and marriage, anyone?
The Finnish folklore around Midsummer is firmly concentrated in finding a spouse and divining the future. This is understandable as in the past Midsummer used to be one of the rare holidays during summer season, when young people in the countryside could go and meet each other. Midsummer was also perceived as a celebration of fertility and many of Midsummer’s spells were performed naked. Young maidens would roll naked on the fields either in the midnight or when there still was dew to see their future husband in a vision.
A bit easier and more inconspicuous way to see the potential hubby in a dream, is to pick either seven or nine wildflowers in the Midsummer Eve and put them under the pillow. If wildflowers are not available, you can just put your left sock on inside out.
If you’re going to bath in sauna on Midsummer Eve, you can e.g. walk backwards to a pile of logs. Depending on the log which touches your bottom, you’ll see what kind of a lover you’ll get. If the log has been cut in half, he’ll be married or a widow, if the log is whole, he’ll be yours entirely.
If you have only a moment to use for magic, take a look at a well, pond or spring in the Midsummer night – preferably naked – and you’ll see your future spouse. In the past Finns sure loved to run around naked, as there are numerous ways to divine the future spouse, provided no clothes are anywhere near. You can e.g. run naked in the ditches around a field of rye and when you reach the ninth ditch your future spouse will meet you. Or you can run around a triangle formed field trice to then meet your future spouse. If these didn’t work, sit naked on a rock in a waterfall, just wearing a straw belt, or sweep up your bedroom floor naked wearing a red ribbon on your waist and the ghost of your future husband will come to see you.
If you want to ensure strong magical powers, Midsummer provides you with a unique opportunity. It is the only night in the year, when there’s a chance to see a fern blossoming. If you’d be so lucky as to witness this miracle, you should pick the flower without hesitation. It will bring unprecedented magical powers for its holder. While you’re in the forest looking for the flowers of the ferns, keep an eye for a will-o’-the-wisp or ignis fatuus (in Medieval Latin). Underneath it you can find a treasure.
Have a Magical Midsummer!
Susan
