This is the stavkirke (stave church) in Røldal where people would make pilgramages to the crucifix for it’s healing powers.

Norwegians, Swedes, Finns, other northern European countries and even some eastern and southern countries celebrate midsummer, also known in Norway (and Denmark) as Sankthansaften or Jonsok.  Sankt Hans is another way of saying St. Johannes or St. John, referring to John the Baptist (Jonsok means John’s wake), who was thought to have been born 6 months before Jesus, on June 24th.  This holiday has roots both in pre-Christian/pagan and Catholic traditions.  It’s funny how that often is the case.  Traditions often start out meaning one thing and then evolve when other knowledge is gained.

Midsummer is usually celebrated between June 21st and June 24th.  The date that midsummer is celebrated varies between cultures, but since John the Baptist was thought to have been born on the 24th, this day has special meaning.  So before John the Baptist, the 24th held no real significance.  In Norway, in particular, Sankthansaften is celebrated on June 23.  Historically, the idea was to celebrate the longest day of the year, the summer solstice, by gathering with friends and family to eat, drink, make a bonfire, and pick flowers.  No, really.  The bonfire was lit to protect the people from evil spirits that were thought to be lurking around when the sun turned southwards.  Flowers were picked, marigolds to be specific, for their alleged healing powers.  It was not uncommon to get married on this celebration, which would symbolize new life.

Once Catholicism made it’s way into the tradition, it became popular to make pilgrimages to churches and holy springs.  In Norway, up until 1840, there was a pilgrimage to the stave church in Røldal (southwestern Norway), which had a crucifix that was thought to have special healing powers.  I’m not quite sure why at this particular time of the year people were concerned with healing.  But there are some traditions that I am afraid we are not necessarily meant to understand completely.

The best part about this night, this celebration, is that no matter where you are in Norway, the sun is up in the sky until at least midnight, even in southern Norway.  Up north, it shines all night long.  Easy to party, hard to sleep.  If I didn’t understand why some days were lighter longer than others, I would probably adopt unscietific ways to explain the phenomenon, and then celebrate that in strange ways as well, wouldn’t you?