Hello Dimi :-)
I'm so happy to see you; seams we were too busy lately as we didn't met too much! Its an honor for me to have the chance to exchange our traditions and celebrations with you.
Sânziene rituals
The folk practices of Sânziene imply that
the most beautiful maidens in the respective village dress in white and spend
all day searching for and picking Gallium verum. They are instructed to
remain alone and unseen, especially by any males. Using the flowers they picked
during the day, the girls create wreaths as floral crowns
which they wear upon returning to the village at nightfall. They are then
supposed to have turned into sânziene fairies, and dance in circle
around a bonfire, into which all remains of the
previous harvest are thrown. People are prevented from
speaking to the girls during this ceremony, as it is presumed that the sânziene
spirits possessing them might otherwise be angered or distracted.
In some regions, the girls may keep the wreaths
until the following year's Sânziene. This, they believe, ensures fertility
for their family's land. In addition, if they place the wreath under their
pillow the night right after Sânziene, it is possible that they would
have a premonition of the man they are to marry (ursitul,
"the fated one"). Another folk belief is that during the Sânziene
night, the heavens open up, making it an adequate time for making wishes and
for praying, as God is more likely to listen.
In some areas of the Carpathians, the villagers
light then a big wheel of hay from the ceremonial bonfire and push it
down a hill. This has been interpreted as a symbol for the setting sun (from
the solstice to come and until the midwinter solstice, the days will be getting
shorter).
Hope you enjoy my little addition :-) Wish you a wonderful Summer. Anamaria
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