Midsummer’s Eve
The celebration of Midsummer has occurred since ancient times as a festival coinciding with the summer solstice. The allure of the longest day of the year called to me and I had to join in the revelry. It was a well planned bonus that I happened to be on the beach at the time. Dancing, leaping and the lighting of bonfires to chase away the evil spirits were common. The closest we could come was the entertainment provided by the town of Virginia Beach.
Fire juggling is a reasonable facsimile of a bonfire.
Nothing says long night like playing catch with a live Taser.
or stuffing yourself through a tennis racket.
The Romans celebrated the god Summanus the day before the summer solstice. He was the deity associated with nocturnal thunder and his celebration included round cakes made of flour, milk and honey. The only thunder we encountered were the motorcycles cruising on Atlantic Avenue and we substituted Ben & Jerry’s waffle cones for the cakes. All in all a good night enjoying the sunset.
After honoring the gods
Ben & Jerry
Heading down to honor Neptune.
Of course the Christians had to come along and ruin all the pagan fun, as usual. St. Eligius in the 7th century warned against the solstice celebrations. St. John’s Eve was the compromise, which celebrated the birth of John the Baptist and included the burning of bones and rubbish (a nod to the bonfires).
In the struggle that ensues between pagan and Christian rituals, it’s usually the celebrants who lose.
There was only win/win for this Midsummer and it’s celebrants. We enjoyed the perfect day on the beach and a wonderful night.
Perfect day.
Perfect night
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