DescriptionThe celebration of Kupala (also known as Summer Solstice) when nights are the shortest and believed to be the only time of the year when the earth revealed its secrets. Ferns bloomed to mark places where its treasures were buried, the trees spoke and moved, and the wild witches gathered. Many of the rites related to this holiday are connected with the role of water in fertility and ritual purification. Young people jump over the flames of bonfires in a ritual test of bravery and faith. The failure of a couple in love to complete the jump, while holding hands, is a sign of their destined separation. The fires were also used to burn herbs gathered in the previous year & various items of no further use, particularly those that had been blessed with holy water & could therefore not be discarded by normal means. The fires were never extinguished, but were always allowed to smoulder out.Girls would float wreaths of flowers (often lit with candles) on rivers, and attempt to gain foresight into their romantic relationship fortune from the flow patterns of the flowers on the river. Men would attempt to capture the wreaths, in the hope of capturing the interest of the woman who had floated it.There was also an ancient belief that on the eve of Ivan Kupala ferns would bloom and this would only happen at this time of year. Prosperity, luck, power, & discernment befall all who find this elusive fern flower. On that night, village folk roamed through the forests in search of different magical herbs, & the fern flower.Anoint yourself with this blessed holy water to bring purification. It may also be used in tool and altar consecration. Sprinkle in the four corners of your yard to bless your land or it can also be used as an offering for your ancestors, fertility blessings or rain-making. DO NOT DRINK! This water was collected in Northern Alberta, blessed by a Ukrainian Orthodox Priest in a cemetery during blessings of the graves. The land where this occurs also happens to be my family land and was donated to the church two generations ago for them to build a cemetery.May your families crops be plentiful and your world full of prosperity.Limited when it’s gone its gone!
