What is special about Saint John's Eve?

The mysterious rituals of the ancients. We have all heard of Epiphany, we know when it is, we know that there is something magical and mysterious about this day, and that this is the time of year when the power of herbs is at its greatest. But what did the ancient Bulgarians do on that day? What is special about him? How can we use its energy power? Do the cult rites of the Bulgarians have anything in common with shamanic practices and what is it?

In traditional Bulgarian culture, this day is special because of the cult rites associated with the sun and the summer solstice. With it, our ancestors marked the beginning of summer and the agricultural year. Midsummer is associated with customs such as jumping over fire, weaving wreaths of flowers and grasses, snowdrops and the snake's course. In some regions of Bulgaria, this day is associated with magical powers and it is believed that everything achieved on this day will be blessed and bring success in the future.

The various customs performed on Midsummer have many symbolic and magical aspects. One of the most popular Midsummer customs is fire jumping. "Turtle fire" is a traditional rite that is related to the mythology of the Slavic peoples and is a symbol of renewal and renewal of life.

The turtle fire rite is performed by placing turtles in a circle and lighting a fire in the middle of the circle. People usually gather around the fire and perform dances and songs, and jump over it, believing that it will bring them health and luck throughout the year. Fire is believed to have a magical power that burns away bad energies and purifies the body and spirit. 

Turtles are believed to have the ability to absorb evil and disease that has accumulated over the year and purify it. When the tortoise fire burns, it is believed to purify and renew everything around it - people, animals and nature. If the turtle fire ritual is done correctly and with respect for the animals, the turtles are not killed or harmed in the process. Instead, they are placed in a circle around the fire and used as a symbol of renewal and renewal of life. After the ritual is over, the turtles are released into the wild.

Another interesting ritual is the weaving of wreaths: Women weave wreaths of flowers and grasses that they wear on their heads throughout the year. Wreaths are woven from special types of grass, such as witch hazel, white wicker, thyme and others, which have healing properties and are considered magical plants. It is believed that the wreath protects its wearer from diseases and evil forces. In addition to wreaths, women also wove different types of decorations for the house and garden: garlands of flowers that hung on the doors and windows of the house, as a symbol of prosperity and fertility, they placed bowls of flowers and herbs on the tables and in the corners of the rooms, as a symbol of the vitality and beauty of nature.

Kokiche is a game played by the youth on New Year's Day. They gather in an open place and challenge each other to a game by throwing one stone at the other. When the stone falls to the ground, it stays in place, and the player who threw it must collect it by jumping on one leg. If successful, he takes the initiative and continues the game.

One of the most interesting rituals for me is the Serpent Walk. It is and is one of the most characteristic customs of Midsummer in the regions of North-West Bulgaria. This rite is related to ancient Thracian culture and symbolizes the snake - one of the most important animals in Thracian mythology. People gather at a crossroads where grass circles are placed, as a symbol of the snake. During the ritual, they dance around to the beat of the music, following the serpentine shape of the circles. The dance is called the "snake walk",
for their bodies move like snakes, twisting and turning around. It is believed that this rite has magical power and bestows people with health, luck and prosperity. The Serpent's Walk dance symbolizes the cycle of life and nature, which is reborn every year. 

If we delve deeply and with understanding into these ritual actions, it is striking that the customs associated with Midsummer have some features in common with shamanic practices. Shamans were the traditional healers, priests and sages of many cultures who lived in close contact with nature and had a deep connection with it. They used magical rites, rituals and songs to connect with nature spirits and receive inspiration and healing. However, it should be noted that the customs associated with New Year's Day are traditional to Bulgarian culture and have been practiced by generations of Bulgarians. They were handed down by word of mouth and are centered around a specific holiday - Midsummer. Although there are some commonalities with shamanic rituals, these customs are unique to Bulgarian culture and are related to a specific context and history.