Slavic Traditions: The Garlands of Midsummer’s Eve

van Kupala. Fortunetelling on the wreaths. Wood with levkas, oil © 2009 Simon Kozhin/С.Л.Кожин http://www.kozhinart.com/

In Poland, Midsummer’s Eve garlands would be set on water, their path on the surface foretelling the owner’s future, and protecting from spells and curses.

The Mystery of the Green Man

Green Man boss below crossing at Rochester Cathedral. By Akoliasnikoff - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3931741

Finding Green Men in medieval churches was a game for myself and my young charge; others have made it an all-engrossing spiritual quest. Deep things have been said about the head in the leaves: he is a trickster, a prophet, the guardian and revealer of mysteries. Well, maybe.

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