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| Midsummer Bonfire (Photo by Ralf Roletschek) |
That’s because May 1st had already marked the beginning of summer for many Pagan European cultures. Long before there was a Saint Walpurga (for whom the traditional May Day was renamed), there were bonfire celebrations throughout Central and Northern Europe to honor summer’s life-giving sun.
Such revelry (which also honored fertility) was later
frowned upon by the Puritans, who banned it (along with Christmas) for awhile.
Fast forward to Midsummer, which Wikipedia defines as “the period of time centered upon the summer solstice.” Long before Neopagans renamed it Litha (a choice ironically
inspired by the writings of an English monk, Saint Bede), summer solstice was also a major time for Pagan celebrations and rituals. Attention was focused upon the healthful properties of such golden-flowered midsummer herbs as Calendula and St. John’s Wort. Witches were believed to be “on their way to meetings with other powerful
beings.”
Bonfires were again lit – this time to “protect against evil
spirits which were believed to roam freely when the sun was turning southwards again.”
With the Christianization of Europe came the changing of
these Pagan holidays into Christian ones. Although many a determined monk (such as Saint Eligius – with “the face of an angel”
and “a hairshirt next to his flesh”) tried to eliminate so-called “diabolical” practices of Pagan rituals, many a Christian celebration ended
up incorporating Pagan aspects instead. Midsummer’s Eve now became St. John’s Eve (in honor of the Nativity of John the Baptist – which, according to the Gospel of Luke, was six months before the Nativity of Jesus). However, St. John’s Eve and Day is still heavily associated with revelry and bonfires.
Resources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_Day
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midsummer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bede
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walpurgis_Night
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