About
Kupala Night is the great Slavic midsummer festival, later joined with the feast of St John the Baptist, which gives it the name Ivan Kupala. It is a night of fire and water, of bathing, herb gathering and love divination. Folklore says the magical fern flower blooms only on this night and brings luck to whoever finds it.
Customs
- Jumping over bonfires, alone or hand in hand with a partner
- Floating wreaths of flowers and candles on rivers
- Bathing in rivers or rolling in the morning dew
- Gathering healing herbs, thought to be strongest on this night
- Searching the woods for the fabled fern flower
Food
- Bread and eggs
- Fresh cheese
- Summer berries
- Kvass or honey drinks
A simple ritual
- Weave a wreath of wild flowers and greenery.
- Place it gently on a stream, or on a bowl of water at home, and make a wish.
- Light a candle safely beside the water and think of what you wish to cleanse and renew.
- Wash your face with cool water or morning dew.
- Gather a few herbs such as mint, yarrow or St John's wort to dry for the year ahead.
- Put out the candle before you leave it.
Never leave candles or fires unattended, and keep them away from pets and children.