Merry Midsummer Night!
Traditionally the night of the 23rd and the morning of the 24th of June is the time to celebrate Midsummer in Northern Europe (rather than the astronomical solstice), specifically within Germanic paganism. Later the Christian feast of Saint John the Baptist took this place, but even then the old rituals persisted.
The Midsummer celebration was (and is) celebrated with eating, drinking, singing, dancing and flirting. Whatever was dreamed during this night was thought to be prophetic, and it was the perfect time to find a partner, or ensure marital bliss and fertility. It was also one of the nights when spirits, witches and werewolves were known to roam free, and a lot of the rituals belonging to it in the Netherlands have to do with protection:
The Fire
The bonfire is central to the celebration. This bonfire needed to be lit fresh, not from an already burning fire, as it was a cleansing fire.
People would dance around it in a circle and sing. People also jumped over it, both alone and in pairs, to ensure all the good fortune Midsummer might bring.
Cattle were also brought to walk past the fire to bless them.
The ashes from the fire could be taken home to be scattered at the door for protection.
The Flowers
Plants gathered on this day were thought to possess great magical power. Some herbs were thrown into the fire during the dance.
People wove garlands of flowers and leaves (like cornflowers, St John’s-wort, and beech and hazel) and wore them during the dance.
These wreaths were carried home and kept until they wilted, so they would protect against evil and misfortune, like thunder, fire and illness.
In some places bunches were made instead of wreaths, which were hung above the doors or windows for the same kind of protection.
The Dew
People washed themselves in the morning dew for good health.
Those who were not able (or willing) to go rambling and rolling in the grass at the crack of dawn could spread cloths on the grass during the night, to collect the dew that would form in the morning.
In some places the custom was to bathe in the running water of a stream.
