The celebration takes place during the shortest night of the year; the summer solstice. It is a celebration that is usually held on the beach with roaring bonfires, drinks, food and friends.
Legends, tradition and magical rituals are connected by a common elements: fire and water.
Some mystical people believe that on this magical night paranormal events can occur because ancient pagan gods get closer to humans. For this reason many magical rituals are celebrated. Young people jump over fires which, according to legend, gives more strength to the sun, which loses hours of light during the summer.
It is also a night full of Superstition.
If you want to be lucky for the next 12 months you may want to:
Jump over a bonfire
Burn a piece of paper with your lover’s name on it
Burn something old and personal to leave behind bad spirits from the past and start a new phase
Swimming in the ocean after midnight purifies soul and body
Fountains and natural water resources become magic and have healing properties
~ORIGINS~
Every region in Spain has different local traditions, however all of them are related to fire and water.
Dancing and praying around bonfires, and in some areas burning rag man, which originally symbolized Judas Iscariot.
Pagan and Religious tradition meet in this awesome celebration.
~~Noche de San Juan …. Puerto Rico’s Night on the Beach~~
PUERTO RICO
(not the best video but this one explained the meaning clearly and in English)
~~Uploaded on Jul 30, 2010~~
Join LatinFlyer.com for Noche de San Juan (Night of St. John), a centuries-old tradition that brings thousands of people to the beach at midnight, for an evening of celebration, friends and family.
"the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord shine His face upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace"
