Of flowers and frogs

Friday was the summer solstice – the longest day of the year —

And also Midsummer’s Eve: a major holiday here in Sweden.

Flower weaving

It’s a time for weaving flowers around the maypole

And then lifting it up into place as a team effort.

Up it goes

Midsummer is an ancient pagan tradition —

And, as you can see, it’s a celebration of fertility

And light and the burst of growth that occurs during the short Swedish summer.

Fertility

It’s a time for having fun and dancing around the maypole

Like a little frog in time-honoured tradition —

(Yes, this is me being silly…)

Joy

Although for some, a short nap in the green summer grass

Is more than welcome.

Napping

For more traditions, please visit: Our World.

88 thoughts on “Of flowers and frogs

  1. I always enjoy the solstice celebration despite being an atheist. There’s a beautiful and marvellous sensation about honouring earth, nature and the elements. Great shots. Many thanks.

    Greetings from London.

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  2. We had dinner at a country club in Malmo when we were at the Rotary Convention in Copenhagen. During the evening festivities we were entertained with a Maypole dance and Midsummer’s eve celebration! It was quite fun!

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  3. I like the May pole and flowers! A nice celebration! It is also nice to see you and Oscar is always a favorite of mine! Have a happy week!

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  4. You look like a high priestess in that photo! I love it! What lovely photos all of them. Oscar has the right idea, doesn’t he. But then if anyone was ever meant to dance around a maypole, it is you! Gorgeous!

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  5. smiles…pretty cool…i went to a solstice festival over the weekend and it was a very merry time…cool shot of the maypole too…think i might go in search of that nap now…smiles.

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  6. Hello to you – is this the first photo of you I’ve seen in all these years? Oscar may have the right idea – it IS a long day after all.

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  7. oh the gift of being able to be “a bit silly” and not being afraid to share it! Wonderful. And what a glorious tradition this seems to be in Sweden. Wondeful! I wish I was there being a bit silly too!
    Have a great week, and thank you for stopping by my blog this today.

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  8. Det må ha vært en fantastisk feiring av midtsommer!
    Jeg elsker bildet av den søte hund som hviler.
    Nydelig Maypole under en nesten skyfri himmel.

    Takk for besøk på mitt siste innlegg!

    Jorunn

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  9. So beautiful, happy midsummer 🙂
    I spent the late evening in the woods near my home, and nature shared all sorts of treats with me, including otters and bats. It’s such a magical time of year!

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  10. Lovely flowers! And I agree with Hilary, you should show yourself more often here, great pic!
    And if you don’t mind me asking, could you visit my blog and see what I posted in English? I started it a few days ago and I could use some helpful hints or just thoughts on it.

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  11. So nice to see the blogger finally, you seldom put pics of yourself in. We had the May Pole in our village here on Vancouver Island and I
    was the Queen of the May, do they have the May Queen? Sweden looks wonderful in the summer. cheers.

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  12. Wow, what a treat this week, sure shots and excitement all around,,,rven Lady Fi in the flesh,lol. to nice to meet you my friend.

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  13. I love that Midsummer’s Eve is an official holiday there! It’s so Shakespearian and pagan and romantic! 🙂 That May Pole is just beautiful! And how fun to finally see the talented woman behind the camera – great photo of you! Though you and Oscar were engaged in completely opposite activities, you both have the right idea about how to spend a lovely summer day. 🙂

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    1. PS – It has long bothered me that the avatar assigned to me by Word Press wears such a scowl, expressing a mood that never matches my comments! But now at least I know what to call it! LOL! (And yes, I know I could join WP and have an avatar of my choosing, but joining one more social networking site and having to remember one more password would make my head explode.) 🙂

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