May 20, 2021
Book notes - Golowan
Midsummer fires and the feasts of Peter & John
Pages 3 - 20 of Simon Reed's 'The Cornish Traditional Year'
Feast of ‘light and rejoicing’
Held 2 days later than the astronomical solstice
Involved bonfires (possibly related to the celtic deity Belenus)
Solestitia = Summer solstice rites
Dancing through and around fires = protection from evil intentions
It’s lucky to scatter hemp seeds for love
Bonfire/Serpent dance - chain rushes, skips and avoids embers. Sometimes & at random, a link in the chain would raise their arms at the head of the chain and the head would rsh through.
Children wore wreaths and garlands of flowers (st john's wort)
Revived as Mazey Day
