Today is Midsummer's day, St. John's Day, one of the old quarter days of the year. Quarter days were the days when debts were settled, rents paid, that sort of thing. Christmas Day is counted as one as well as Lady's Day, March 25th, and Michaelmas, September 29th.
There is a tradition around Dundalk, Co.Louth, Ireland of lighting bonfires at the end of June, which I'm guessing might well be related to Midsummer's day, when bonfires were lit then in Ireland.
Traditionally one paid homage to fire, water and plants. So the bonfire bit makes sense. The water bit, might well be all the feicin rain we've been having lately, also good for putting out any bonfires: and the plants, well, they are benefiting from the rain, only too well!
Barbara, thank you for your words of appreciation for my little story on Little Minx. I liked yours very much, I thought it was quite catchy and beautifully written.
ReplyDeleteIt never rains in Ireland...it's just low cloud! :)
ReplyDeleteha ha jon - tell that to the hordes forced to spend all weekend indoors!
ReplyDeleteNice one vesper. Thanks. It was good fun writing for it and reading the other responses.
That's very nice of you to celebrate my day. Do I get a present?
ReplyDeletejohn.g how about a wee drop... of rain? ;)
ReplyDeleteWe're getting that as I type this!
ReplyDeleteHello to you and Raga.'
ReplyDelete"all the feicin rain" what a lively way to put it.
Hi Pearl - that would be the 'oirish' in me coming out!
ReplyDeleteJohn.g I hear the rain is causing floods beyond in the UK. Hope you're okay!
Its very, very wet here - deep water flowing back and forth, back and forth - ...
ReplyDeleteNo, wait.. thats the sea!!
Good story on Minx's Blog.
ReplyDeleteWell done for writing when you have 6 children...Im in awe!
Bonfire? That's a pagan influence. Litha, on the 21st, is a fire sabbat.
ReplyDeleteWe have been surrounded by devastation, but luckily it missed us!
ReplyDeleteI would have thought so Minx.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness John.g. I hope the weather takes a turn for the better now, we are due it!