The northern midsummer is magical. The starry sky is hidden as the glow of the sun illuminates even the nighttime sky. In June, the Earth’s axis tilts closest to the Sun. Our golden orb travels along the tropical zodiac towards the constellation of Cancer, slipping from the constellation of Gemini at the time of the summer solstice. Nature bursts into bloom, the air carries the seductive scents of summer, and Mother Earth begins to offer her bounty. The first strawberries ripen, and new potatoes, spring onions, and pea pods fill shopping bags. Many Native American tribes called the moon the Strawberry Moon precisely because of the ripening of strawberries.

June, the English name for June, derives its roots from the Roman goddess of marriage and motherhood, Juno. The sky god Jupiter’s spouse, Juno, was originally the guardian spirit of women in Rome, later becoming the protector of marriage, motherhood, and childbirth. Therefore, June was believed to be the best time for marriage – as it was dedicated to the goddess of marriage. Midsummer weddings are also popular in the Nordic countries. The Finnish word “kesä” means summer but comes originally from kesanto, meaning fallow land: some fields were left unplanted every other year to allow the soil to rest and gather nutrients, so it wouldn’t become impoverished. In June, such a field was plowed, but no new seeds were sown.

NAME: 
Kesäkuu (Finnish), meaning Summer Moon
June (Eng.) after Juno, the consort of the Roman sky god Jupiter
Strawberry Moon (Algonquin, Ojibwe, Dakota, Lakota), Flowering Moon (Anishinaabe), Green Corn Moon (Cherokee), Egg Laying Moon or Hatching Moon (Cree)

SPECIAL DAYS
– World Ocean Day 8.6.
– Finnish Sauna Day on the second Saturday of June
– Summer Solstice between 20.-22.6.
– Midsummer on the Saturday between 20 and 26 June

Summer Solstice

In the warm embrace of midsummer, under the golden glow of the longest day, the Sun ascends to its zenith, marking the summer solstice. It falls somewhere between June 20th and 22nd, a time when the Northern Hemisphere is bathed in the brilliance of the sun’s radiance. Simultaneously, in these northern lands, we celebrate the ancient festival of Midsummer, originally intertwined with the solstice, a jubilee of light and fertility.

In the past, before the Christian era, Midsummer was revered as the festival of Ukko, the supreme deity, beseeched for the rain essential for the slash-and-burn cultivation method, ensuring abundance and fertility. During medieval times, the Catholic Church transmuted this celebration into the feast day of St. John the Baptist, gradually christening it juhannus  in Finnish. While Christian observance of Midsummer began in the 5th century, traces of the old pagan reverence persisted, with some still referring to the festival as Ukko’s celebration well into the 19th century.

Fertility, often narrowly construed as the capacity for procreation, holds a far broader significance. In many ancient belief systems, it formed the cornerstone of cosmology. Hunter-gatherer and agrarian cultures alike thrived on the premise of a perpetual cycle of growth and renewal, be it of plants, animals, or humans, ensuring the perpetuation of life itself. Thus, fertility was nurtured through various means, by honoring spirits, deities, and guardians believed to safeguard and promote fecundity. The summer solstice, therefore, abounds with symbolism and rituals steeped in the themes of fertility and love, echoing the timeless rhythms of nature’s eternal dance. The summer solstice is therefore associated with a great deal of symbolism and rituals related to fertility and the worship of the gods.

Summer Solstice Ritual: Magic of Flowers and Leaves

Birch branches are still a familiar sight on Midsummer’s Eve in the doorways of Finnish homes, but few know that they symbolize fertility. In ancient times, homes were adorned with branches and flowers believed to bring luck and fertility to the household. So, don’t settle for just Midsummer birches; embrace the lushness and scents of June and adorn yourself and your home fully:

• Bring some rowan berries into your home for their protective and good luck-giving powers – and they may even increase your chances of getting married.
• Meanwhile, the blossoms of the bird cherry not only bring fragrance but also joy and happiness into the house.
• Sprinkle birch, aspen, and rowan leaves, as well as spruce shoots, on the floor of your entranceway or porch. They will create a heady welcome scent in your home.
• Create floral garlands from lilies of the valley and other wildflowers. Place one on your head and use the rest to decorate walls and windows.
• And remember, to ensure their magical potency, Midsummer decorations should not be cut with scissors, knives, or any other iron tool; they must be snapped by hand.

Summer Solstice Ritual: Midsummer Sauna

It’s nearly impossible to imagine a Finnish Midsummer celebration without the traditional Midsummer sauna. It’s one of the central rituals of the midsummer season. Of course, the sauna experience is incomplete without the use of the sauna whisk,  “vasta” (the name in Eastern dialects of Finnish language) or “vihta” (typical in Western dialects), which is used in sauna to cleanse, relax and stimulate blood circulation by whipping gently oneself or your sauna companion with it. While the traditional sauna whisk is made from birch leaves, during Midsummer, you can infuse it with additional magic by altering its composition. Those seeking love spells may opt for a sauna whisk made from the sacred women’s tree, the rowan. Similarly, the sauna whisk can be made from a combination of seven different flowers or seven different types of tree leaves. For the best sauna whisk, it’s recommended to gather materials during the waxing moon phase – to be accurate, seven days after the new moon. During this time, the leaves won’t wither as quickly. Additionally, durable whisk can be made from oak – oak whisks are commonly crafted in our eastern neighbor.

Summer Solstice Ritual: Midsummer Bonfire

The Midsummer bonfire is a strong and enduring tradition in Finland. The bonfire holds various symbolic meanings: it’s believed to protect against evil forces, cleanse old energies, and even foretell the future. It was thought that the smoke from the Midsummer bonfire would swirl towards the individual soon to be wed. After the bonfire had burned out, girls would leap over the smoke to invoke gentleness and fertility and to express hopes for the future. The embers and ash from the extinguished bonfire were taken to the fields to safeguard the harvest and fertilize the soil.

June Ritual: Leave Yourself Fallow

From around the time of Midsummer, many Finns go on summer vacation. The old folks also talked about the midsummer nesting days (June 20-22), when the Sun or the day rested in its nest before heading towards winter. During these days, one shouldn’t start any important work but should rest instead. Take a lesson from the wisdom of our ancestors and leave yourself for a moment to lie fallow! Consciously neglect certain things in your body, home, or daily chores. Here are a few ideas:

• Let your hair grow freely and leave it uncombed – a summertime tangle tells of freedom and carefreeness.
• Don’t wear makeup, let your natural glow shine through your face.
• Let a corner of your garden grow wild and free – you may be surprised at the flowers that sprout there and the bugs it starts to attract.
• Stroll around in slippers, wellington boots or run around barefoot – temporarily abandon your usual style and try a more relaxed look.
• Don’t look in the mirror! Allow yourself to move freely from external expectations and stop criticizing yourself. An easy way to break free from an appearance-focused lifestyle is to let go of the mirror. Put it away for a couple of days, and soon you won’t even remember what you were supposed to look like, allowing you to be completely natural and true to yourself!
• Don’t perform – spontaneity rewards you with surprises.

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