Midsummer - the ancient holiday of the sun

In the Bulgarian folk calendar, Enyovden or Yanevden, Yanovden, Ivanden, Ivanden, Ivan Bilyober, Dragiika is celebrated on June 24 every year. On the same date, the Eastern Orthodox Christian Church celebrates the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, who foretold the birth of Jesus Christ.

The mystique of Prazinka is complemented by the fact that it coincides with the summer solstice, which is on June 21-22, so many of the beliefs and customs are related to the path of the celestial luminary and its cult.

On this day, the healing power of the herbs is magically enhanced

Ancient belief says that on the night before New Year's Day, the stars come down to earth and bewitch all grasses, flowers, plants and give them extremely strong magical healing power.

On the night before Midsummerherbs have the most power, every spell catches and every divination comes true.

In folk beliefs, New Year marks the distant beginning of winter

– it is said "Enyo has put on his coat to walk for snow". And according to the belief, before "going to winter", the sun bathes in the water sources andmakes the water healing . Then it is shaken off and the dew that falls has a special magical power. Therefore everyone should wash before sunrise in running water or rub themselves in the dew for health.

Вярва се, че сутринта на празника, когато изгрява, слънцето „трепти“, „играе“ и който види това, ще бъде здрав през цялата година. Точно по изгрев, всеки трябва да се обърне с лице към него и през рамо да наблюдава сянката си. Отразява ли се тя цяла, човекът ще бъде здрав през годината, а очертае ли се наполовина – ще боледува. Легендата разказва също, че на сутринта на празника, която мома първа види слънцето щом изгрее – ще бъде заможна и от здраве няма да се отърве през цялата година.

On Midsummerdifferent grasses and herbs have the greatest healing power, especially at sunrise. That's why it's best to pick themearly in the morningbefore sunrise. It is believed that miracles happen on the shortest night of the year. Sick people can only get well if they sprinkle themselves with the morning dew.

Take advantage of the opportunity to gather herbs from a clean place, away from cities and roads.

Tradition dictates that they dial up 77 herbs and a half. The former cure 77 certain diseases, and the latter is a cure for the dreaded and incurable disease. Who is this herb, no one knows, it is picked with closed eyes, by accident. Herbs are made in bunches or еньовски венци – tied withRed thread and hang to dry at home for year-round use. Through the New Year's wreath, everyone checks for health.

For healing and divination

On the night before the holiday, for healing and divination, at sunset, "silent water" is taken from a pure, sweet spring (poured in complete silence, so that its magical power is not lost by a human voice). The maidens leave their wrists in the silent water at night and in the morning they guess who will be their future husband.

In folk beliefs, it is stated that this night is extremely suitable for grabbing and luring fertility from the fields and livestock - sorcerers and sorcerers come out and go to other people's fields, where they perform various rituals naked. These rites cause the stalks of the fields to bow down to them. All the stalks bow down except for one - the king of the fields. The women tear it off and take it to another level - their own or that of the guarantor of the "robbing". In this way, fertility goes to the next level. For this reason, field owners pre-harvest the middle or corners of their field to make it look "harvested" and not be picked up by wizards. Some farmers stay in the fields at night to guard her.

The concern for preserving the harvest and the fear of the forces of nature gave birth to another ritual - the prohibition to harvest on New Year's Eve. According to belief, this day is a bad day for work. It is believed that St. Enyo will strike with a thunderbolt the fields of the one who did not respect him on his holiday, but went to work and should not wash, so as not to make a family member sick.

Have a happy holiday!

Tomorrow morning, don't miss the opportunity to get up early and on your way to work, walk through a nearby park or lawn and touch the Enzo dew. And if you have more time, go out somewhere in the pure nature. There welcome the sunrise and sprinkle yourself with the pure dew for health.