On the night before Midsummer’s Day, which is celebrated on June 24, the stars descend to earth and enchant the grasses and flowers, giving them magical healing power, according to the belief. And to be healthy all year round, before sunrise on Midsummer’s Day, you need to wash under running water or rub in the dew, writes edna.bg
Midsummer’s Day – the day of the summer solstice, is one of the most important summer holidays in the national calendar. It is associated with many beliefs about the sun, water and medicinal plants. It is also celebrated as a holiday of herbalists. The Orthodox Church celebrates the birth of St. John the Baptist, also called the Forerunner.
According to popular belief, at midnight on Midsummer’s Day the sky opens – miracles happen, but also black magic. Dreams are prophetic. From the place where there is buried wealth, a blue flame comes out. The stars descend to earth and bathe in the frozen waves of the sea. Medicinal herbs are “bought” by the fairies with a special rite. The women arrange the baskets with the collected magic plants in a circle and play a “concluded dance” around them in complete silence.
It is believed that before “going to winter”, the sun bathes in springs and rivers and makes the water healing. Then it shakes off and the dew that falls from it has a special magical power.
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That is why this night the water in the rivers and wells is healing and magical. After bathing in the water, the sun takes its way back to winter. The people believe that on the morning of the holiday, when it rises, the sun “flickers” and “plays”. And whoever sees this will be healthy all year round. Just at sunrise you should face the sun and watch your shadow over your shoulder. If it affects the whole, the person will be healthy during the year, and if he appears halfway – he will get sick.
In coastal areas, it is claimed that the sea “stops moving”.
The most collected herbs on Midsummer’s Day are marigold, communication, primrose, balm.
Herbs are used to make Enyo wrists and wreaths tied with red thread, which are used for healing throughout the year. Somewhere the wrists are as big as the people in the family. They are called after them and are left outside at night. In the morning, the health of the person whose wrist is named is foretold. Then the gums hang around the house. They burn incense with them or bathe them with water in which they have melted their wrists.
With the grasses and flowers gathered on the holiday, a large Enyo wreath is shrunk, through which everyone seeps for health. It is also preserved and used against diseases.
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