from the Celtic Folk Customs book...
CELTIC. St John's Day was always associated with water and communities
celebrated this day by dressing their wells.
St Bega, the 7th century Irish saint, was once associated with this day,
but is not thought not to have existed. She was alleged to have
traveled to Cumbria and established an abbey at St Bees. A bracelet was
kept at her shrine, and the Anglo-Saxon for bracelet is beag this
thought to be the source of the invention.
The fears of the eve having passed, this was a day of outdoor
jollification. Wells were dressed, house exteriors decorated with
greenery, and firs lit as a focus for feasting and festivities. Men
jumped through the flames for good luck, and other bonfire rituals
followed. The ashes of the midsummer fire were used to tell fortunes
and foretell the future. Many fairs were held.
St John's Wort, or Chase Devil, was traditionally picked today to
protect from evil and disease. Midsummer Day was a quarter day.
WALES. The 'Summer birch' custom was held in Glamorgan, a custom more
important then May Day customs. Bonfires were lit in the Vale of Glamorgan.
In the Dyfed village of Pendine people went from door to door asking
for milk to make Midsummer Pudding. This was similar to Hasty Pudding.
--
Pat Connors, Sacramento CA
http://www.connorsgenealogy.com
Professional Genealogy Research
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