Nature was worshiped In Lithuania for centuries. Before the country became Christianised, Lithuanians were pagan who praised and venerated nature. They believed in nature deities because they were wholly dependent on nature and its whims.
It is said that when the Teutonic Knights came to Lithuania in the 13thcentury, they were frightened to enter forests even in the daytime: they believed that the forests were swarming with devils and demons that could grab passers-by and carry them off, never to be seen again. Many legends were told about Lithuanian customs and the local reverence for nature. Newcomers believed that the health, beauty and bravery of Lithuanian people was a gift from the wondrous and generous nature of Lithuania.
Times have changed, however, and now we can share all the wonders of nature with you, good traveller: all you need to do is come to Lithuania on June 23 and join us for an exceptional midsummer celebration. Let us put it simply: you could spend a month in a health resort or opt instead for one night in Lithuania to heal all your ailments, take 20 years off you and reveal your future. How is that possible, you say? On this night, everything is possible. It’s like Christmas, only in summer.
It is a magical night that everyone in Lithuania waits for impatiently, just as their ancestors did: the shortest night of the year. The sun’s victory against night and darkness. On this night, vegetation seems more lush and luxuriant than ever, and every single tiny plant reaches maturity, ready to create new life. It is a celebration of rebirth for nature and every living creature.
In the past the celebration was called Rasos, a name derived from rasa– the glistening droplets of dew covering meadows at daybreak. It was believed that washing your face with dew collected from rye could rejuvenate it; dew was used to moisten bed linen for the sick in the belief it would return them to health. It was used to water vegetable gardens, believing this would make the soil more fertile. It was even given to animals to drink.
At one point this special night was called Kupolės, because in the evening people traditionally picked medicinal herbs – an activity called kupoliavimas. It was believed that on this night medicinal herbs acquire their healing properties. They would later be used to brew teas, or placed near the roof. St. John wort picked on Joninės was said to cure 99 kinds of illness.
After Christianisation, the celebrations were associated with the birth of St John the Baptist, and named Joninės(from Lithuanian Jonas for John). The century-long traditions and mystical rituals were not forgotten, however; so let us give you a few tips on what to do to make the best use of the magic of Joninės so you’ll return home healthy, rested, revived, and who knows, maybe with your newfound other half.
As you arrive at the festivities, you must first walk through the special gates of Kupolės, which are decorated with herbs. Walking through the gates is a symbol of rebirth, and as you pass, you might be asked to dance, or sing a song, but let us tell you a little secret – a smile will do just fine.
Unmarried girls must make a wreath from nine or twelve different herbs before midnight: it is not only a traditional accessory, but also a mystical charm to draw the attention of your true love. The wreath is later set afloat in a river, and the faster the current carries it, the sooner the girl gets married.
One of the main rituals is the lighting of the fire. The fire is lit on a high hill at dusk and kept burning all through the night until dawn. It is believed that the lighter the fields are, the greater the harvest will be. Another important custom is jumping over the fire of Joninės, as jumping guarantees good health and cleanses you of your sins. So it is essential to jump over the fire, but wait until it dies down, of course! If you jump holding hands with your loved one, you will get married that same year.
The most important and mysterious tradition of Joninės night is the search for the fern flower. The fern is said to bloom at midnight, and anyone who finds its flower, which only blooms for a short moment, will gain incredible power: they will understand all the mysteries of nature, read minds, see what is invisible and acquire wealth and lasting happiness. Traditionally, people are supposed to look for the fern flower alone but for some reason most people return in twos!
If it happens that you are not allowed to jump over fires, make wreaths, or search for fern flowers, don’t worry: simply being part of this ancient Lithuanian celebration will fill you with long-lasting positive emotions and good energy. It is crucial to stay up all night and see the sun rise. You can return to your hotel in the morning – by then you will be charged with enough mystical healing energy for the whole year. What, only for a year, you say? Well of course: you will return next year.
It is a great experience to celebrate Joninės/Rasos at the State Cultural Reserve of Kernavė or at Rumšiškės Ethnic Open Air Museum. Either way, the whole country will be celebrating and you are very welcome to join in.
