#folkloric

[songs-of-the-east]

North Ossetia, North Caucasus, Russia

[global-musings]

Armenia

[sajanrai]

Loved doing this commission of Mo for Justine!

[thehagstone]

[upongoblinhill]

"There was a time in our distant past when forests, rivers, glens, and even singular trees possessed enormous importance to the people who resided there. Many cultures the world over held spirits of a place in high esteem, and some even held particular objects as being worthy of acquiring spirit. So too, does this phenomenon extend to the territory of these Midwestern United States. Notable among them you’ll find here are; the fearsome Meshipeshu, The dwindling Spirit of the Ogallala Aquifer, and the Wind Witches of November. These spirits are capable of walking a fine line between corporeal form and near-invisible presence, and there are few tools that can be regularly relied upon to lift these glamours— outside of a few particular charms that you will find within this Almanac." From the introduction to "Beyond The Fields We Know, An Almanac of Midwestern Prairie Spirits", written and illustrated from Up On Goblin Hill. “We have just begun to navigate a strange region; we must expect to encounter strange adventures, strange perils.” ― Arthur Machen, The Terror

[valealunii]

The Matisse pattern

[devilofsamothrace]

Litha / Midsommar / Summer Solstice

The Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year and is celebrated in many cultures. In this post I will focus on Litha the wiccan tradition, midsommar (the nordic tradition) and the general idea of the summer solstice.

Litha

Like many other wiccan and pagan sabbats, this celebration is inspired by celtic culture. In the reconstructed germanic calendar the Anglo-Saxon names for the months June and July is līða (litha) and it is from there that the tradition got its name.

During this day the sun is widely worshipped and worked with. It is somewhat concidered the beginning of summer and therefore divination and manifestation may be a good idea. Since this day also marks a shift in nature (days getting darker again) it can also be a day of reflection and meditation as well as inner power and brightness.

Midsommar

As a Swedish person this is a big part of my life. Even though this image looks rather outdated, the celebration looks very similar to this day. Some of my best and earliest memories are of this tradition.

Similar to the image, it is still common to dance around a maypole during this day. Earlier in the day, children and adults gather flowers to dress the maypole-skeleton with. When it is covered you raise it and place it in the ground. After that the dancing and singing can begin.

It is also belived that flowers and herbs have a greater magickal potency during this day. To harvest plants by midsummer evening ensures for strong herbs. A common thing that is still done in Sweden is putting seven different types of flowers under your pillow. This is belived to make you dream about your future partner. A simple form of love divination!

Midsommar has roots in pre-christianity, however the christian movement affected the holiday. John the Baptist is celebrated around the same time and is therefore an important figure during midsommar in some of the nordic countries (Iceland, Finland, Denmark and Norway) but in Sweden the tradition is not too influenced by christianity.

Previously midsommar was celebrated on the 21st in Sweden but in 1953 it started to be celebrated the Friday closest to the summer solstice.