It crept up on me this year. I might make some goody later. My attempts at goody have been pretty messy and tasteless, but what the heck?
Here's a reasonable description of the tradition from RTE. It's pleasing to know that people still make St. John's Eve bonfires.
I suppose bonfires are always good, but up-here it never really gets dark at this time of year - certainly not until after midnight; so the contrast with the night sky would be much less impressive than, say, November 5th.
ReplyDeleteBut it's good to hear of something celebrating J the B - my happiest period of churchgoing was at a medieval Anglo-Catholic church in Newcastle dedicated to that Saint.
Indeed, I just commented yesterday that the Christian church has festivals on or near to most of the old astronomical year quarter days, and cross-quarter days - but Midsummer seemed to be a striking omission. Seemingly I would have been wrong, in the old days when such rituals were more significant.
Given the vital importance of JtB, it's good to know that he gets Midsummer.
I think a summer bonfire seems like a concentration of the sunlight, rather than a contrast-- two different vibes!
DeleteI've never even heard the term "cross-quarter" days! I actually didn't learn about St. John's Eve until a few years ago.
I noted a news service, I'm not sure from where, did a story on the various dates that Father's Day are celebrated throughout the world and sad they went through- many countries use St Joseph's day, Germany the Ascension, Brasil I think uses the old Leo XIII date for St Joachim's day
ReplyDeleteThat's fascinating. I think St. Joseph's Day is a good choice. I really need to learn more about the liturgical calendar. I keep meaning to!
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