Balder the Beautiful, Vol. 1 of 2 (Classic Reprint): The Fire-Festivals of Europe and the Doctrine of the External Soul: The Fire-Festivals of Europe ... of the External Soul (Classic Reprint) - Softcover

Inhaltsangabe

Across Europe, midsummer fires fuse community ritual with hopes for purification, marriage, and harvest. This edition surveys how bonfires, burning discs, and rolled wheels are used to cleanse witches’ spells, promote fertility, and protect homes and crops. It presents a clear view of how these rites are connected across regions, yet grounded in local practice.

From Germany to the Balkans, the fires serve as practical and symbolic tools. People leap over flames in pairs to bless unions, plant charred sticks to boost crop growth, and even burn effigies or wheels to drive away harm. The rituals mix family, village life, and beliefs about witches, weather, and the health of livestock and people.

- See how bonfires, torches, and flying discs are deployed to ward off witches and misfortune
- Learn why couples jump the flames and how sightlines and omens shape marriage and fertility
- Explore regional twists, from disc-throwing to burning wheels and plant-boosting charms
- Understand the idea that fire clears obstacles to human and agricultural life

Ideal for readers of folklore, ethnography, and the history of European ritual practices.

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