In many cultures, religious holidays are closely tied to the seasons. The summer solstice is no different, usually commemorated with public celebrations of all kinds. While some societies view the solstice as the beginning of summer, others see it as the midpoint of the season. Many European countries have national holidays occurring near the solstice, which reveal fascinating traditions from both pre-Christian and later times.
What Is Midsummer?
The broad term “midsummer” refers to a wide range of holidays that fall on or near the summer solstice. Humans have recognized its significance for several thousand years. The History Channel mentions examples like the Romans’ Vestalia festivals, but our ancestors also used the solstice to guide the construction of landmarks such as Egypt’s Great Pyramids.
Many midsummer traditions descend from earlier fertility rites and ceremonies practiced before Christianity’s arrival in Europe. Real Scandinavia remarks that nature’s magic was believed to be very powerful at this time of year. Fire, flowers, and water were considered especially potent with their connections to nature and the sun. For many young revelers, midsummer offered romantic potential. Love was in the air, and many traditions focus on finding one’s destined partner. William Shakespeare may have thought of these connotations and rituals when he penned “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
Connections to St. John the Baptist
Real Scandinavia also reveals that the Catholic Church simply co-opted midsummer festivals, converting them to feast days for St. John the Baptist. With the Gospels stating that John the Baptist was born six months before Jesus Christ, this timing also paved the way for Christmas to be celebrated in mid-December.
Consequently, this feast date is observed in countries that have large Christian populations. For example, Hungarians call it “St. Ivan’s Night” while the French know it as “Fête de Saint-Jean.” In Germanic and Scandinavian nations, it goes by more literal names. The Encyclopedia Britannica explains that the same festival is called “Midsommar” in Sweden and “Sankhansaften” in Norway. Germans celebrate their holiday as “Sommersonnenwende.”
Catholicism, St. John’s Eve, and Marie Laveau
On Christian liturgical calendars, the feast day of St. John the Baptist usually falls on June 24. However, festivities typically begin the night before. Bonfires, flowers, and communal meals are symbolic elements in many celebrations, just as they were in pre-Christian times. While these practices are common in Western European cultures, CNN’s Daisy Carrington talks about similar customs in Greece and Eastern Europe.
Given how Christianity integrated midsummer feasts into its liturgical landscape, it’s no surprise that St. John’s Eve is also observed in formerly colonized regions of the Americas. Smithsonian Magazine details one notable example from New Orleans, where Voodoo priestess Marie Laveau started holding public celebrations in the 1830s. This rich tradition continues in the Crescent City today.
Neopagans and a Midsummer Night’s Dream
A June 2016 Huffington Post article briefly describes Neopagan summer solstice ceremonies. Some use the term “Litha” from the writings of the English monk Bede the Venerable. Patheos blogger Jason Mankey clarifies that Litha once referred to a two-month period in the Anglo-Saxon calendar corresponding with June and July. According to Mankey, naming the solstice holiday “Litha” may have been partially influenced by American scholar Aidan Kelly. The works of J.R.R. Tolkien could also be responsible, considering that hobbits in his fictional universe call their midsummer holiday “Lithe.” Festivities can include religious rituals, bonfires, fire-cooked foods, and greeting the rising sun.
As a giver of light, heat, and essential solar energy, the sun is a vital source for life on our planet. Our ancestors recognized this, eagerly anticipating each year’s summer solstice. Whether through oral histories, written narratives, or shared traditions, waiting for the sun transcends both religious and cultural boundaries.