MIDSUMMER

The traditional way to celebrate is to raise a Midsummer "pole", sort of like a cross dressed
with birches and flowers. Then dancing takes place around the "pole".
The pole is also called a Maypole.

Eating is also a big part - fresh new tiny potatoes, boiled with dill and served with butter, salt,
sour cream and chives. With that, Swedish herring. For dessert fresh strawberries with cream.
The ice-cold vodka shot is also a tradition here.

Younger people usually get together in large parties, usually somewhere away from home,
usually camping, and usually consuming too much alcohol. Us "oldies" might prefer to
celebrate with our families!

Midsummer is considered a magical time, when everything in nature is strong and
powerful. It is the time to gather healing herbs. And for instance, as a young girl,
if you pick seven different flowers after midnight, without speaking, and put them
under your pillow, you will dream of your future husband.
It doesn´t have to be any special flowers, just different ones. The number of flowers
are usually seven or nine. The most important thing is to be silent, not a word until
morning, otherwise the magic disappears!

Other old traditions (not practised anymore):
- undress and roll naked in the dew, cures illnesses.
-pick flowers, set them on fire to drive out demons.
-eat a salted herring before going to bed. In your dream your future husband will
come to you. If he gives you water, he will be poor. If he gives you wine, he will
be wealthy. If he gives you hard liquor, he will be a drunk.

Lots of great Midsummer links at Midsummer/Solstice Day
 
 
 
 
 

Swedish flowers and maypole made by:

Midsummer blinkie "Nice midsummer" from Kickis Grafik