The Pagan Heart
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June-July 2005 Issue
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Ukon Juhla
By Micah Barnsley
The fields are planted, the sun is high, and everything is growing well in the lengthening summer days. The Finnish people love this time of year, midsummer, more than any time of year. And for one day, the amount of alcohol sold in Finland increases by five times on the day before midsummer's eve. This is the time of the great holiday, Ukon Juhla, named so for the great god Ukko, the lord of the sky, weather and harvest. Farmers all over Finland raise a glass to him, asking for his blessing for a good harvest and fair weather in the fall months. Though Ukon Juhla is now commonly called Juhannus, for John the Baptist, preparations for this midsummer festival would, and traditionally do, begin early on midsummer's eve or sometimes even the day before. The men would make beer, or mead, while the women prepared, and make, the cheese. At dusk, the whole village would make bonfires, and one very large bonfire lit by the eldest of the village, called the Bonfire of Ukko (Ukko-kokko). The revelers would then keep the fires going through the night, drinking and shouting to salute Ukko and chase away the demons with their yells and the light. It is said that on this night, the spirits and demons know the turning of the year is at hand and walk freely during the night. Ghosts, in the darkest portion of this shortest night, place their treasures in the fire to clense them of the rust and mold accumulated through the years. Midsummer is good for many things. For the Finnish people, it is a time for omens concerning hearth and home. Herbs collected on midsummers eve are said to be especially powerful or magical. People would bring birch-branches, flower garlands, and greenery into their homes to beautify and scent the home with the fresh aroma's. Many people would go looking for the forest-fern on this night. An herb that's a favorite to hunt for is the forest-fern. The forest-fern is said to flower only on this night, and whom ever finds a flower or seed could become invisible, beautiful or handsome, healthy and rich. In 1612, the Catholic Church actually prohibited the collecting of forest-fern seeds on Midsummer night in an effort to eradicate the pagan aspect of the holiday. In addition to herb hunting, many would use this night for divination. Some try to get a feel for the harvest from the burn pattern of the bonfires, though many farmers agreed that the more alcohol you drank, the better your luck for a good harvest would be. Young women use flowers to try to gain a glimpse of their future husband. The love omens are quite popular and easy enough. Young women pick nine different kinds of flowers and place them under their pillows. When they go to sleep, it is said that they will see their future husband in their dreams. As the midnight hour passes in modern times, and the midsummer sun rises in the morning, the bonfires burn low and the tired celebrants jump them for good luck in the darker days to come. Some considered their luck to be the harvest, others, a new beginning, and for those who celebrated to the fullest perhaps a new baby in the spring. For me and my tamer celebration of jumping over a candle flame, it's luck in general that I wish for. No matter if it is a bonfire, mead, merry-making and love spells for you, or a candle flame, friends, and a good bottle of wine, a happy midsummer to you and may your harvest be plentiful. |
Primary Article - Summer Solstice
Secondary Article - Alban Hefin
Secondary Article - Egypt's Wep-renpet - the New Year
Secondary Article - Holy Day: Midsummer Reflection
Return to the Index of articles for Seasonal Festivals
