In pagan belief, the summer solstice is a significant and sacred time of the year. It marks the longest day and the shortest night, where the power of the sun is at its peak. Traditional ceremonies are held to celebrate and honor the solstice, with various rituals and customs observed. One common tradition is the lighting of bonfires. These fires are seen as a symbol of purification and light, representing the power and energy of the sun. People gather around the bonfires to dance, sing, and make merry, enjoying the warmth and radiance of the flames.
People gather around the bonfires to dance, sing, and make merry, enjoying the warmth and radiance of the flames. Some even leap over the bonfires, believing it brings good luck and wards off evil spirits. Another customary practice during the summer solstice is the making of flower crowns and garlands.
Witchcraft Or Simply Mental Illness?
I recently watched a programme on television wherein a young lady was talking about how in her understanding, there is no such a thing as mental illness. According to the lady, mental illness was nothing more than plain witchcraft. “People waste a lot of money on expensive medication trying to cure mental illness, and they can never find cure in western medicine,” she said.
The young lady’s way of thinking may be surprising to many and even offensive to others, but her ideology is nothing new. I do not know how by some magic powers, anyone could have the ability to affect another person’s mind, so I will not dispute her ideas. But I also understand that where there is no clarity, where mystery exists, human beings will attempt to seek answers and a sense of reason. Unfortunately, in our communities, particularly in rural areas, there is very little comprehension of how a mental illness might occur.
One cannot claim to know for certain whether witchcraft or curses exist, or whether there is merit in the association of these mysterious phenomena with disorders such as Schizophrenia, Psychosis, Bipolar, and other varieties of mental illness. The fact of the matter is that, if consulted, most traditional doctors would likely point to witchcraft as the cause of mental illness and some might even share the name of the culprit or witch. Whether or not the accusation would be accurate, relationships would still be destroyed because it is usually the closest relatives or neighbours that would be pointed out as perpetrators.
In my novel, Madness in Duggart, the protagonist’s mother refuses to lend an ear to anyone who suggests that her son may have been bewitched. Even in her pain and confusion, she understands the suffering that would inevitably be inflicted upon those that might be (wrongfully) accused. They could be alienated at best, or have their homes set on fire by angry mobs, at worst. The repercussions of the finger-pointing and speculations were bound to be too devastating.
But what exactly is witchcraft? The Oxford dictionary describes witchcraft as ‘the use of magic, especially black magic; the use of spells.’ As far as its alleged links with mental disorders goes, witchcraft is seen as the casting out of spells onto a target, in order for them to lose a sense of reality and normality. This could be done out of jealousy, mainly. As I heard one Psychiatrist explaining this: you may find that an intelligent child suddenly performs badly in their exams because it so happened that when the question paper was presented to them, they started seeing nothing but darkness as their mind switched off in an apparent blackout. Some would call that witchcraft. The witches would not want to see this child, with a seemingly bright future, realise his or her highest potential. The psychiatrist might diagnose such an occurrence as symptoms of a panic or anxiety attack’. The downside of the witchcraft accusation is that treatment is seldom sought timeously, if at all, and it devastates both the affected family and the accused one. The way I see it, the missing link and the root cause of the accusations is poor awareness and lack of education. People just do not know better. And whether those that believe in the power of spells and the Psychiatrists would ever agree is not so much the point. What is crucial is that people need to be made aware and taught that it is not too much of a mystical phenomenon when someone loses their mind; that there are logical medical explanations, regardless of how limited they may be in uncovering the true causes of mental illnesses.
Madness in Duggart is available on Amazon.
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A 17 item Hindi questionnaire was designed specifically to study individual's beliefs in various types of magico-religious beliefs, the role of magico-religious beliefs in causation of mental illness/behavioural abnormalities and the role of treatment based on such beliefs. Additionally, the questionnaire also had the provision to assess the role of stress (which is understood more as tension in our community) and changes in neuro-chemicals in causation of schizophrenia. The questions were developed in the line of Supernatural Attitude Questionnaire, an instrument which was developed about a decade ago by one of the authors (PK). Various items of the questionnaire were based on commonly prevalent magico-religious beliefs in our society. One item in the questionnaire covered the role of stress in development of mental illness and another item evaluated the understanding of patients with respect to the role of change in neuro-chemicals in the brain as the aetiology of mental illness. Regarding treatment, the questionnaire covered areas like seeking treatment from faith healers and performing religious rituals. The last question asked about the prevalence of magico-religious beliefs in the locality to which the patient belongs. The language of the questionnaire was simple and the responders were instructed to answer the questions in “yes” or “no”.
These are often worn by both men and women as a way to connect with nature and the vibrant colors of summer. Flowers like daisies, sunflowers, and lavender are commonly used, symbolizing growth, beauty, and the bountiful harvest to come. Many solstice ceremonies also involve rituals centered around water. It is believed that water possesses great spiritual power during this time, and bathing in rivers, lakes, or the ocean is considered purifying and refreshing. Some pagans even perform a sunrise or sunset water ritual, where they make offerings and blessings to the water, expressing gratitude for its life-giving properties. Lastly, the summer solstice is often associated with the worship of nature deities, such as the goddess of the sun or the god of fertility. Pagans may create makeshift altars in natural settings, adorned with flowers, fruits, and other offerings. They may also conduct ceremonies and prayers, asking for blessings and guidance from these divine figures. Overall, the traditional ceremonies for the summer solstice in pagan belief revolve around celebrating the sun's power, connecting with nature, and giving thanks for the abundance of the season. These rituals provide an opportunity to honor ancient traditions, strengthen community bonds, and appreciate the beauty and magic of the natural world..
Reviews for "Rituals of Abundance: Celebrating the Summer Solstice in Pagan Culture"
1. Jennifer - 2 stars - I attended a traditional ceremony for the summer solstice in pagan belief and I have to say, I was highly disappointed. The event felt disorganized and lacked any sense of spirituality or meaning. The rituals performed seemed more like a show put on for tourists rather than a genuine religious experience. I left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied, wishing I had spent my time and money elsewhere.
2. Mark - 1 star - My experience at a traditional ceremony for the summer solstice in pagan belief was nothing short of a disaster. The event was supposed to embody the beauty and magic of nature, but all I saw were a bunch of people dressed in ridiculous costumes jumping around a bonfire. It felt more like a cult gathering than a religious celebration. I left feeling confused and disturbed, vowing to never attend such an event again.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I was hoping to connect with nature and find inner peace at a traditional ceremony for the summer solstice in pagan belief, but unfortunately, that didn't happen. The event felt forced and artificial, with participants reciting rehearsed chants and performing rituals without any real understanding or connection to their meaning. It seemed like a superficial attempt to mimic ancient traditions rather than a genuine spiritual practice. I left feeling disappointed and deceived.