Every year around 21st of June in Northern semisphere people celebrate Midsummer. The traditions of celebration are found in all Germanic countries. Moreover, the tradition to celebrate this date still exist in many countries. It is the second important holiday after Yule.
Midsummer feast is a religious celebration and it helds at the summer solstice. Summer solstice is the date with the longest day and shortest night. It's believed that this day was the day of death the God of Light, Baldr. This day summer reaches its high point, the Sun shines the logest. But at the same time soon days will become shorter and the Earth is beginning its slow turning to winter again.
All celebrations take part in the evening of the summer solstice. Traditionally people light huge bonfires, sing songs, speeches and dance. Traditions also include making of wreaths, the kindling of fires, the burning of corn dolls (human figure made out of straw), and the adornment of fields, barns, and houses with greenery.
Sometimes people do small models of viking ships from thin wood, filled them with different gift and burned them in order to bring these gifts to the god Baldr. Another tradition includes raising and dancing around phallic maypole (fertility ritual). Before raising the maypole is fully decorated with collected greens and flowers.
Summer solstice is the highest point of the year, time when all deeds are the brightest, when the heart is the most daring. Exactly this time our viking anscestors sailed off to conquer and explore another countries. Midsummer is the time of risk and action for reaching the most bold goals.