So many people, all over the world, sing folk songs by rote, without even thinking about the content and meaning of the words they're singing. They're perpetuating some problematic energies and ideas with this one. Thank you for pointing it out. At least those of us who are aware of its implications can avoid it.
Your translation from the 3rd, 'Those we want “out of life” with a blast of joy', misses something. 'Glædesblus' are bonfires. So it means,'we will keep them away by burning them', which is what Sct. hans is all about Bonfires everywhere. Even writing it is difficult, but that is what is means. I don't call myself a witch, but I am aware that had I lived then, I would have been called one and most likely killed. Also the joylly singing of killing other people is frightening to me. It reminds me of how the nazis had Jewish musicians playing Wagner at concentration camps. Lack of empathy, awareness and sense of decency.
Exactly! That is a good if utterly terrifying example. As I said in my previous comment, I will return to this in a future piece, to make sure everyone understands how severe and unequivocal this is.
As a public runes-reader (very small-time) who lives off grid in the woods and works at a bookshop that features esoterica, I feel the Witch Wound. It does cross my mind that if anyone were to ask around about who the local witch is, many would say me. It makes me want to cry just to say that in this context, though normally it brings me joy. The first time I ever did rune readings in public, I faced inner fear of a caliber beyond simply putting myself out there. Fortunately the vast majority of people are accepting or at least tolerant, and anyway, I feel called to this by my beloved wilds and ancient ancestral lineages. I think it helps that people generally find me disarming; mostly this work greatly assists myself and others. Plus, as I mend clothing or knit between readings, my essence of peace and magic permeates the area and often a sense of community coalesces with anybody who even just stops by for a chat.
I hear your fear (and I know how deep that runs!), but I think that knitting and mending are both extremely magical and extremely disarming activities. Other people only see the disarming or even harmless side. I think you will be just fine as long as you don't offer your clients potions or spells!
8'm facsinatrd by the fact that St-Hans is celebrated in Denmark, as June 24th is St-Jean (St-John's) in Canada. It is the Quebec National holiday, but larger it speaks of Francophone Identity. Bonfires (camp fires) are a large part of this celebration, as well as fireworks.
This makes me wonder about the link between bonfires, christianity (St-John specifically), midsummer, and National Identity....
It is worrying that such negative attitudes are still around and people don't even realise how wrong it is to reinforce such propaganda. There's still a witch's tradition in Germany but they tend to be portrayed as the wicked crone. The witch hunt is still on in various ways. I'll be toasting the solstice tomorrow.
Ps. i get a weird message when I want to comment and it means I can't read other people's comments, 'The data couldn't be read because it isn't in the correct format'.
i see it sometimes on other profiles too. It is probably a technical thing. Bummer not to be able to read the other comments. Just thought I let you know. This is only in the app, by the way.
Hi Ea, thank you for the correction. I should have double checked with you regarding the most precise translation. I did receive your edit and I will add it as a PS in the actual piece. I can also share your comment (with my entire audience) in a future piece on similar topic. Thank you for clarifying! As a non-Scandinavian person I wanted to leave a little bit room of doubt or generosity of interpretation - but clearly that is not warranted here.
This error message probably occurred because there are no significant replies yet. They generally roll in 4 or 6 or even 8 hours after I press "send" because many of my readers are in the US and on other continents. Maybe try again later? Or try on a different device? It is not something I can fix : ( .
The song and this discussion remind me of the indigenous concept of Wetiko, now called the Mind Virus. Indigenous people recognized long before we did that “a psycho spiritual energy of destructive greed, selfishness and insatiable consumption” existed throughout time. After all, many witch trials persecuted women of property, widows with money or powerful healers. I’ve always believed that we tap into the energy of our ancestors, for good or evil, when we revive chants or rituals. In some cases I liken it to medical archaeological digs for plague victims. We all know Mother Earth holds our memories. You can see evidence of this in the places on the planets where war reoccurs over and over. Hope I haven’t strayed too far from endorsing the belief that chanting for the death of witches is perpetuating the belief that the word witch and even women ( in some cultures) weild negative power.
You did not stray and you are absolutely right. Some things are worth reviving and other things should only serve as lessons in "what not to do". I will make a mental note to write about Wetiko or Windigo here in the future. I was a red thread in my third book: Medicine of the Imagination. But it is probably high time to dive back into that material...
So many people, all over the world, sing folk songs by rote, without even thinking about the content and meaning of the words they're singing. They're perpetuating some problematic energies and ideas with this one. Thank you for pointing it out. At least those of us who are aware of its implications can avoid it.
Collective singing is a form of weaving vibration into reality. Absolutely!!
Hi Imelda
Your translation from the 3rd, 'Those we want “out of life” with a blast of joy', misses something. 'Glædesblus' are bonfires. So it means,'we will keep them away by burning them', which is what Sct. hans is all about Bonfires everywhere. Even writing it is difficult, but that is what is means. I don't call myself a witch, but I am aware that had I lived then, I would have been called one and most likely killed. Also the joylly singing of killing other people is frightening to me. It reminds me of how the nazis had Jewish musicians playing Wagner at concentration camps. Lack of empathy, awareness and sense of decency.
Exactly! That is a good if utterly terrifying example. As I said in my previous comment, I will return to this in a future piece, to make sure everyone understands how severe and unequivocal this is.
As a public runes-reader (very small-time) who lives off grid in the woods and works at a bookshop that features esoterica, I feel the Witch Wound. It does cross my mind that if anyone were to ask around about who the local witch is, many would say me. It makes me want to cry just to say that in this context, though normally it brings me joy. The first time I ever did rune readings in public, I faced inner fear of a caliber beyond simply putting myself out there. Fortunately the vast majority of people are accepting or at least tolerant, and anyway, I feel called to this by my beloved wilds and ancient ancestral lineages. I think it helps that people generally find me disarming; mostly this work greatly assists myself and others. Plus, as I mend clothing or knit between readings, my essence of peace and magic permeates the area and often a sense of community coalesces with anybody who even just stops by for a chat.
I hear your fear (and I know how deep that runs!), but I think that knitting and mending are both extremely magical and extremely disarming activities. Other people only see the disarming or even harmless side. I think you will be just fine as long as you don't offer your clients potions or spells!
Yes, no intention to do that! 😅
8'm facsinatrd by the fact that St-Hans is celebrated in Denmark, as June 24th is St-Jean (St-John's) in Canada. It is the Quebec National holiday, but larger it speaks of Francophone Identity. Bonfires (camp fires) are a large part of this celebration, as well as fireworks.
This makes me wonder about the link between bonfires, christianity (St-John specifically), midsummer, and National Identity....
Indeed. And please keep me posted, of your discoveries, if you dig deeper into that!
I will!
It is worrying that such negative attitudes are still around and people don't even realise how wrong it is to reinforce such propaganda. There's still a witch's tradition in Germany but they tend to be portrayed as the wicked crone. The witch hunt is still on in various ways. I'll be toasting the solstice tomorrow.
Ps. i get a weird message when I want to comment and it means I can't read other people's comments, 'The data couldn't be read because it isn't in the correct format'.
i see it sometimes on other profiles too. It is probably a technical thing. Bummer not to be able to read the other comments. Just thought I let you know. This is only in the app, by the way.
Hi Ea, thank you for the correction. I should have double checked with you regarding the most precise translation. I did receive your edit and I will add it as a PS in the actual piece. I can also share your comment (with my entire audience) in a future piece on similar topic. Thank you for clarifying! As a non-Scandinavian person I wanted to leave a little bit room of doubt or generosity of interpretation - but clearly that is not warranted here.
Sadly, no.
That is very sad, even alarming.
This error message probably occurred because there are no significant replies yet. They generally roll in 4 or 6 or even 8 hours after I press "send" because many of my readers are in the US and on other continents. Maybe try again later? Or try on a different device? It is not something I can fix : ( .
The song and this discussion remind me of the indigenous concept of Wetiko, now called the Mind Virus. Indigenous people recognized long before we did that “a psycho spiritual energy of destructive greed, selfishness and insatiable consumption” existed throughout time. After all, many witch trials persecuted women of property, widows with money or powerful healers. I’ve always believed that we tap into the energy of our ancestors, for good or evil, when we revive chants or rituals. In some cases I liken it to medical archaeological digs for plague victims. We all know Mother Earth holds our memories. You can see evidence of this in the places on the planets where war reoccurs over and over. Hope I haven’t strayed too far from endorsing the belief that chanting for the death of witches is perpetuating the belief that the word witch and even women ( in some cultures) weild negative power.
You did not stray and you are absolutely right. Some things are worth reviving and other things should only serve as lessons in "what not to do". I will make a mental note to write about Wetiko or Windigo here in the future. I was a red thread in my third book: Medicine of the Imagination. But it is probably high time to dive back into that material...
I would love to be one of those people who inspire you to write more, as you inspire me.
So many wonderful midsummer songs!
I love all "Midsommarvisor" (songs sung on Midsummer Eve) but I have concerns about this particular Danish one...
GLAD MIDSOMMAR THEA!