Fiery socks
Nowadays, the night of the summer solstice does not have as much significance as it did a few centuries ago. For the Slavs, it was one of the most important periods of the year. It was then that the fate of human destiny was at stake, and mythical creatures appeared on Earth. An extremely important role was played then by the magic of the elements. If you want to feel like the ancient Slavs, we especially recommend red socks and blue socks. These are the colors that refer to the two most important elements. Fire socks refer, among other things, to the ritual of fire, which we describe later in the text, while socks in waves, on the other hand, remind us that at this special time it is better to exercise extreme caution. It was once believed that on the night before Saturday the gates are opened through which mythical creatures return to Earth. At that time, rivers, streams and lakes were filled with oxen, watermen and mermaids. These creatures were demons who had no friendly intentions towards humans. There are several legends about how the aquatic creatures came into existence. One of them says that the creature formed from silt, found at the bottom of bodies of water. He could have inhabited a river or lake, but also a well. Aquarius liked to play with people. Sometimes he would lure them towards the water and, depending on his mood, drown them or frighten them, and then let them go. Instead, he had no mercy for people who disregarded the element of water. If someone taunted the calm depths, claiming that it could not be scary, then the fate of such a person was sealed.
Socks for kupala
Various traditions and customs are associated with the summer solstice. The multiplicity of customs can be evidenced by the sheer wealth of nomenclature. A variety of nomenclature is encountered in Poland. Most often, the time of the summer solstice is referred to as Midsummer Night. This is associated with the process of Christianization and the attempt to transform pagan traditions into customs associated with the Christian faith. Hence also the name St. John's Eve. However, while Midsummer Night falls from June 23 to 24, so Kupala Night is celebrated exactly on the shortest night of the year, which now falls from June 21 to 22. In Silesia, the shortest night of the year is called sobótka or sobótkowa night. In Mazovia, on the other hand, the same time is referred to as Kupala night, and in Masuria it is called kupalnocka or palinocka. The traditional Slavic sobótka was the culmination of rituals that began months earlier during All Souls' Day. Unsurprisingly, such a long period was ended in an unusually impressive way. During the Saturday rituals, the elements, especially water and fire, played a special role. The former was a symbol of the Moon, while the latter was associated with the Sun. There was a strong belief that on the night of Kupala the souls of the dead come to Earth. Fire played a key role in their journey. Depending on the region, it was believed that bonfires burning that night showed the souls the way to their former homes, or that the flames scared away wandering wraiths and prevented them from approaching people. Various superstitions were often associated with the element of fire. Some believed that all sparkling bonfires in the area must be lit with the same spark. Otherwise, the rituals performed were supposed to prove ineffective. Campfire smoke had several functions. Its fumes were supposed to ensure fertility for young maidens, as well as make this year's harvest exceptionally bountiful. The night of Kupala was also an opportunity to prove one's courage and manhood. To this end, young men would leap over the flames of the fire. This was to prove their determination and that their hearts were devoid of fear.
