Today is the longest day of the year, the summer solstice. A time for rededication and rejoicing. I got up to watch the sunrise and gather a few herbs, still wet with dew–rose, yarrow, lavender, elderflower, sage, lemon balm–whatever felt right to me.
Tonight I will light a small bonfire in the yard, a way of being grateful for this longest day by trying to extend it just a bit. This Saturday in Finland, everyone will be lighting the Juhannus kokko, a bonfire.
As in much of Europe the pagan solstice celebration was combined into the Christian Feast of Saint John the Baptist. In Sweden and in some parts of Finland there will be dancing around midsummer poles (we Americans think of them as Maypoles, but in Scandinavia, May is still too early in the year for the abundance of flowers and greenery.)
I wish you a joyous day, in whatever way you wish to celebrate this longest span of sun and light. Blessed be.
Always nice to hear positive things about Finland! The Juhannus kokko is indeed a very valued tradition for us Finns C: Great post ^^ But just so you know, if you want to wish Happy Solstice in Finnish, it would require the inflected form of the word Juhannus, so the correct way would be “Hauskaa Juhannusta” C:
Thank you! I’m going to edit the title. I speak Finnish, but not as well as I would like to, so I appreciate the correction before all my relatives have a chance to read it.
Well, the Finnish grammar is pretty difficult, especially these inflected forms, and you did get the inflection on the word hauska correct, so you should be proud
I actually grew up speaking Finnish and English, but I never studied the grammar or learned to write it well, so the endings are what always get me. I’m just grateful I learned it as a child and didn’t have to try to learn it as an adult!! Thanks for visiting and commenting!!
What a beautiful post – from a most beautiful person
Thank you for reminding me how special each day is – especially today! I am so grateful that you are in my life – and so happy that I listen to tunes of my heart that bring me to the right places at the right time to meet the people I need to meet! Big hugs! Happy Day!
Oh, Sherry, thank you. Let’s keep on listening to the tunes of our hearts. What a lovely phrase.