Celebrating Midsummer

In Great Britain from the 13th century, Midsummer was celebrated on Midsummer Eve (St. John's Eve, June 23) and St. Peter's Eve (June 28) with the lighting of bonfires, feasting and merrymaking.

Many people state that fairies dance at midnight on Midsummer's Eve You just may see them if you stay up and watch for them. But do not join them in their dance. You may never been seen again!

June 24, Midsummer Day, the feast of St. John the Baptist, is one of the quarter days in England.

In British and Irish tradition, the quarter days were the four dates in each year on which servants were hired, and rents were due. They fell on four religious festivals roughly three months apart and close to the two solstices and two equinoxes.

The quarter days have been observed at least since the Middle Ages

The English quarter days (also observed in Wales and the Channel Islands) are:

Lady Day (25 March)
Midsummer Day (24 June)
Michaelmas (29 September)
Christmas (25 December)

For various customs associated with Midsummer's Eve and Midsummer Day, click here.

For herbs and herb lore associated with Midsummer's Eve, click here.