#kupala

Midsummer bonfire, Natalia Noszczynska

1. Make a sacred space decorated specifically for Kupala Night. Use water and fire imagery. Decorate it with some periwinkle, oak and birch branches, summer plants and flowers.

2. Make a wreath with some of those plants.

3. Dance, learn to dance or do some traditional dance!

4. Listen to music! Especially summer vibes music.

5. Go outside, take a walk, forage some stuff, don't take a lot, just what you need.

6. Do summer cleaning in your house.

7. Cook something for Kupala night. Thinking, dumplings, porridge, onions, garlic, cow and goat cheese, milk, homemade vegetable soup, chicken meat.

8. Give offerings to Vesna, even tho she is associated with the spring season, she is still very powerful in the summer season!

9. Drink wine, vodka, rakija, if you are an adult. 10. Alternatively, drink some cold juice. Summer nights can be very hot.

11. Make a protective amulet for your door. Either for your bedroom or house door.

12. Light a candle. A scented candle or ordinary candle.

13. Give offerings to Dajbog. It's summer solstice after all.

14. If you are into divination, do a reading of any kind!

15. Plant flowers!

16. Dress in summer colors and vibes.

17. Do a protection ritual from malevolent spirits.

18. Do something for protection from malevolent spirits, they usually awaken that night a lot, according to multiple sources i saw.

19. Make floral oil mixtures.

20. Offer something to Jarilo. He is the god of fire, amongst other things.

21. Pray to the gods for prosperity and happiness.

22. Decorate anything with flowers and floral imagery.

23. If you are a magic practitioner, invoke the element of fire and do a ritual with the energy.

24. Write a prayer, hymn, or a poem for Kupala Night.

25. Rest, take a day off.

26. Make something with colors yellow, red, and blue. (To symbolize the Sun, fire and water)

27. Do a small ritual in your backyard.

28. Make jam, or any preserves for the winter.

29. Do something with seasonal fruits like strawberries, cherries, etc!

∘ In the Language of the Flame ∘

A dancing spirit of ancient tales,

a living murmur in the silence.

In its tongues – gold, amber, copper –

flickers the memory of nights and dreams.

Gazing into fire, we see more than flame –

a whisper remembered, the glow of hidden longing,

sometimes a beginning, sometimes an end.

Something in us ignites, something else burns away.