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PAPARTIS BLOOM (FERN BLOOM)

THE LEGEND OF THE FERN BLOOM IS A VERY POPULAR AND FAVORITE AMONG
THE PEOPLE OF THE LITHUANIAN FARMS. IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF A
PERSON FINDS THIS BLOOM, HE FINDS OUT WHERE EVERYTHING IS HIDDEN,
HE CAN LOOK INTO THE FUTURE AND BECOMES VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE. BUT
A PERSON CAN HOPE FOR ANY LUCK AT ALL, ONLY ON ST. JOHN'S EVE--
THAT IS, ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST'S EVE, JUNE 23RD. JUNE 23RD IS
SUPPOSED TO BE (THE) SHORTEST NIGHT AND THE LONGEST DAY. WHEN
NIGHT COMES, ABOUT AN HOUR LATER THE SKY IN THE EAST IS ALREADY
TURNING LIGHT--BY 3:00 A.M., IT IS LIGHT AS DAY. THERE ARE MANY
STORIES AND TALES ABOUT THE FERN BLOOM AND TWO OF THEM FOLLOW.
THEY SAY THAT ON ONE ST. JOHN'S EVE, THE HORSES OF A FARMER
DISAPPEARED. THE FARMER SENT HIS STABLE BOY TO LOOK FOR THEM.
WHILE HE WAS WALKING THROUGH THE FOREST, SUDDENLY EVERYTHING
TURNED VERY VERY BRIGHT . . . AND HE FOUND HIMSELF BEING ABLE TO
SEE EVERYTHING CLEARLY. (TRANSLATOR'S NOTE: A FERN BLOOM BLOOMS
VERY BRIGHTLY. WHEN YOU SEE ONE, YOU GET POWERS THAT ENABLE YOU
TO SEE IN THE FUTURE, WHERE EVERYTHING IS AND IS HIDDEN.) HE ALSO
KNEW WHERE THE HORSES WERE AND WHEN HE FETCHED THEM, HE FOUND OUT
THAT HIS FARMER'S NEIGHBOR HAD SOME GOLD BURIED UNDER AN APPLE
TREE AT THE END OF HIS ORCHARD. HE ALSO FOUND OUT THAT HIS LIFE
WILL BE VERY HARD AND HE WILL REMAIN POOR. HE THEN THOUGHT WHY
SHOULD HE REMAIN POOR IF HE KNEW WHERE THE GOLD WAS BURIED. SO
HE STARTED TOWARD THE NEIGHBOR'S ORCHARD, BUT THEN NOTICED THAT
IT WAS GETTING LIGHT OUT, SO HE DECIDED TO WAIT TILL THE FOLLOWING
NIGHT. INSTEAD, HE DECIDED HE'LL GET SOME SLEEP. SO HE TOOK OFF
HIS MOCCASINS AND STRETCHED OUT BY A WELL. BUT AS HE WAS TAKING
THE MOCCASINS OFF, THERE WAS A SUDDEN FLASH LIKE THAT OF A
DIAMOND. THE STABLE-BOY DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING ABOUT IT, SO HE
FELL ASLEEP.
IN THE MORNING, HOWEVER, WHEN HE AWOKE, HE COULDN'T REMEMBER
ANYTHING FROM THE NIGHT BEFORE . . . HE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHERE
THERE WAS ANY GOLD BURIED.

Submitter comment: TRANSLATED FROM LITHUANIAN BY RAMUNI STONYS.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23

View just this record

HOW TO FIND A FERN BLOOM

TO FIND THIS BLOOM, YOU HAVE TO BE VERY BRAVE. FIRST OF ALL, YOU
HAVE TO GO DEEP INTO THE FOREST AT NIGHT, AS SOON AS IT GETS DARK.
YOU HAVE TO GO SO FAR THAT YOU WOULDN'T HEAR THE ROOSTER CROWING
AT DAWN, AND THAT IS A GOOD THREE OR FOUR MILES.
WHEN YOU GET INTO THE WOODS, THE PERSON HAS TO DRAW A CIRCLE TWO
STEPS IN DIAMETER AND RADIUS. THEN HE HAS TO SIT DOWN IN THE
MIDDLE, LIGHT A CANDLE AND WAIT TILL HE FINDS THE FERN BLOOM.
IN THE MEANTIME, ALL SORTS OF GOBLINS AND SUPERNATURALS COME UP
TO HIM TRYING TO SCARE HIM. THEY MAKE ALL KINDS OF HORRIBLE FACES
AND STRANGE NOISES. IF THE PERSON GETS FRIGHTENED JUST ONE LITTLE
BIT, HE WILL NOT FIND THE BLOOM. IF HE STICKS IT OUT AND ISN'T
FRIGHTENED, THEN CHANCES ARE THAT HE WILL FIND THE BLOOM. SO IT
IS ONLY THE BRAVEST THAT WILL FIND THE FERN BLOOM.
IN REALITY, THE FERN NEVER BLOOMS. BUT AMONG THE PEOPLE IT IS
BELIEVED TO BLOOM ON ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST'S EVE--JUNE 23.

Submitter comment: TRANSLATED BY RAMUNI STONYS.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23

Date learned: 01-17-1972

View just this record

IT IS BAD LUCK TO GO SWIMMING BEFORE THE FEAST OF SAINT JOHN THE
BAPTIST, (JUNE 24)

Where learned: DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 24 St. John's Day / Midsummer Day
BELIEF -- Religious hero
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.2

Date learned: 00-00-1972

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BONFIRE NIGHT IN IRELAND--EVE OF JUNE 24

BONFIRE NIGHT IS THE EVE OF THE FEAST OF ST. JOHN. ON THIS NIGHT
IN THE WESTERN COUNTIES OF IRELAND FIRES ARE LIT AT THE CROSSROADS.
SOME PEOPLE THINK THIS WAS DONE ORIGINALLY TO BANISH EVIL SPIRITS
WHILE OTHERS SAY IT WAS TO WELCOME SUMMER. AT THE VARIOUS
CROSSROADS THE VILLAGERS GATHER WHERE THEY DANCE AND TELL STORIES
UNTIL THE EARLY HOURS OF THE MORNING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FIRES

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23

View just this record

FEAST OF ST. JOHN (EVE OF JUNE 24)

ON THE EVE OF THE FEAST OF JOHN THE BAPTIST (JUNE) THE YOUNG PEOPLE
GET TOGETHER AND BUILD A LARGE BONFIRE. THERE IS MUCH SINGING AND
DANCING. THEN THE BOYS TAKE TURNS JUMPING OVER THE FIRE. THIS IS
SUPPOSED TO CLEANSE THEM FROM ALL EVIL. (UKRAINIAN)

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Keyword(s): PURIFICATION THROUGH FIRE

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23

Date learned: 10-00-1970

View just this record

(EVE OF JUNE 24)

ON THE EVE OF THE FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST (JUNE) UKRAINIAN
VILLAGE GIRLS WEAVE WREATHS. THEY TAKE THEM DOWN TO THE RIVER,
CREEK OR LAKE CLOSE BY, PUT LIGHTED CANDLES IN THEM AND PLACE THEM
ON THE WATER. IF THE WREATH SINKS WITH THE CANDLES LIGHTED,
MISFORTUNE WILL BEFALL HER. THE BOYS FROM THE AREA GATHER ON THE
OPPOSITE SHORE, OR COME OUT IN BOATS TO GATHER THE WREATHS.
THE GIRL WHOSE WREATH HE PICKS UP WILL BE HIS FUTURE WIFE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23
BELIEF -- Marriage
BELIEF -- Use of Object

Date learned: 10-00-1970

View just this record

THE EVE OF JUNE 23RD

IN IRELAND, ON THE EVE OF JUNE 23RD, WHICH IS ST. JOHN THE
BAPTIST'S FEAST DAY, A GREAT CELEBRATION TAKES PLACE. IN THIS
CELEBRATION A CART OR LARGE WAGON IS SURROUNDED BY HAY, WHICH IS
SET ON FIRE. THE CART REPRESENTS FAITH, AND THE FIRE AROUND THE
CART REPRESENTS THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, WHICH PROTECTS ONE'S FAITH.
AFTER THE CEREMONY A PARTY TAKES PLACE.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS TOLD TO THE INFORMANT BY A NUN, WHO HAD LIVED MOST
OF HER LIFE IN IRELAND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: DRAMA -- Religious
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23

Date learned: 04-05-1970

View just this record

PREDICTION

ON THE EVE OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, PLACE AN EGG WHITE INTO A
SEE-THROUGH BOTTLE OF WATER. PUT THIS OUTSIDE OVER NIGHT. THE EGG
WHITE WILL GO INTO DIFFERENT SHAPES. THIS WILL PREDICT THE FUTURE
FOR THE YEAR.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS WHEN HIS GRANDFATHER WAS VISITING FROM
ITALY. HIS PARENTS TRIED THIS AND THE SHAPE RESEMBLED A BOAT.
THAT YEAR, HIS GRANDFATHER RETURNED TO ITALY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23
BELIEF -- Use of Object

View just this record

LITHUANIAN ST. JOHN' EVE

ON ST. JOHN'S EVE (JUNE 24) A DIAMOND HUNT IS HELD. IT IS BELIEVED
THAT A LUCKY DIAMOND APPEARS IN THE WOODS ON THIS DAY. LITHUANIAN
YOUNG PEOPLE GATHER IN A WOODED AREA, BUILD A BONFIRE, AND SING
RELIGIOUS SONGS WHILE HUNTING FOR THE DIAMOND. OFTEN A PLASTIC
DIAMOND IS PLANTED PREVIOUS TO THE HUNT. THE INFORMANT
PARTICIPATES IN THIS ACTIVITY WITH HER LITHUANIAN YOUTH GROUP.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 24 St. John's Day / Midsummer Day
BELIEF -- Mineral

Date learned: 11-16-1969

View just this record

ST. JOHN'S EVE

ON A PLEASANT ST. JOHN,S EVE
IN THE QUIET OF A PRETTY HILLSIDE
A MOTHER SAT, WHILE AT HER KNEE
A FAINTING DAUGHTER FELL.


O MOTHER, MOTHER, MY HEART ACHES
BECAUSE LEON MAY NOT RETURN,
MAYBE HIS HORSE WILL THROW HIM FROM THE SADDLE
OR AN EVIL PERSON WILL KILL HIM.
(TWICE)
O CAROLINE, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?
WHERE ARE ALL YOUR PROMISES?
YOU WROTE, "OH, COME, COME."
NOW YOU ARE IN THE ARMS OF ANOTHER.

MY HORSE, MY HORSE, LET US RETURN HOME.
THEY HAVE NO BREAD FOR US HERE.
THERE IN THE VALLEY WHERE THE STREAM FLOWS,
THERE IS OUR BELOVED HOME.
(TWICE)

 

POLISH VERSION:

Wieczor Pogodny

Wieczor pogodny Swietego Jana
Ucich pieknego pagorka,
Siedziala matka, na jej kolana

Upada zemdlona corka.

O Mamo, mamo, serce mnie boli,
Bo moze Leon nie wroci,

Moze go konik ze siodia rzuczi,
Albozly czlowiek ubile.

O Karolino, cozes zrobiloa
gdzie twoje wszystkie zaklencia,
Tys mi pisala, ach przyjedz, przyjedz, przyjedz
Teraz zes w innych objenciach.

Koniu muj koniu, wrocmy do domu.
Tu dla nas nie maja chleda.
Tam na dolinie, gdzie strumyk plynie,
Tam nasza chata kochana.

Submitter comment:

MY MOTHER USED TO SING THIS SONG TO ME WHEN I WAS A CHILD. SHE TOLD
ME SHE LEARNED IT FROM A LADY WITH WHOM SHE WORKED DURING 1926-1929,
IN VARIOUS DOWNTOWN BUILDINGS--WASHINGTON BLVD. BLDG., INDUSTRIAL
BANK BLDG., AND EATON TOWER (NOW BRODERICK TOWER).
THE LADY, SADIE MANDULAK, BROUGHT THE SONG FROM THE UKRAINE.
ON THE NOTE ON WHICH THIS SONG WAS WRITTEN, MY MOTHER WROTE:
"TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE." I TAKE THIS TO MEAN THAT THIS IS
THE WAY THE SONG IS REMEMBERED BY HER.
MY MOTHER USED TO SING THIS, IN ITS POLISH VERSION, TO ME WHEN
I WAS JUST A LITTLE GIRL. I REMEMBER SHE USED TO ROCK ME AND
OFTEN I WOULD FALL ASLEEP TO THE SONG. LATER (13 TO 15 YEARS LATER.
IN FACT.) SHE SANG THE VERY SAME SONG TO MY SISTER, AS SHE PUT
HER TO SLEEP.
 

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Szynal, Mrs. Andrew

Keyword(s): BABY ; CHILDREN ; LULLABY ; Lyrics ; MUSIC ; RHYME ; SONG ; Tune

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Sorrow Unhappiness
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23

Date learned: 05-00-1965

View just this record

SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST'S NIGHT.

ON THE EVE OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST'S DAY EVERYBODY GOES TO THE
BEACHES TO SPEND THE NIGHT THERE. THERE ARE CERTAIN RITUALS DONE ON
THAT NIGHT THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BRING GOOD LUCK THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
FOR EXAMPLE: AT MIDNIGHT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO THROW YOURSELF THREE
TIMES BACKWARDS IN THE SEA FOR GOOD HEALTH. A YOUNG GIRL SHOULD PUT
TWO NEEDLES IN A GLASS OF WATER,SYMBOLIZING HERSELF AND HER BOYFRIEND
IF THE NEXT DAY THE NEEDLES ARE TOGETHER SHE WILL MARRY THAT MAN.
ALSO SHE SHOULD PUT THREE BEANS UNDER HER PILLOW THAT NIGHT. ONE
SHOULD HAVE THE SKIN ON WHICH MEANS SHE WILL MARRY A RICH MAN. THE
SECOND ONE SHOULD BE HALF PEELED SIMBOLIZING MIDDLE CLASS WEALTH AND
THE THIRD ONE SHOULD BE COMPLETELY PEELED MEANING POVERTY. IN THE
MORNING SHE SHOULD PUT HER HAND UNDER THE PILLOW WITHOUT LOOKING,
AND TAKE ONE BEAN. THIS WILL DETERMINE HER ECONOMICAL STATUS IN HER
MARRIAGE. PUT A GLASS OF WATER UNDER YOUR BED TO KEEP THE EVIL SPIRIT
AWAY THE REST OF THE YEAR.

Where learned: PUERTO RICO

Subject headings: 686 Seconds / Twice / Two
686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour
BELIEF -- Devil Demon
BELIEF -- Marriage
BELIEF -- Measure of time Year
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness
BELIEF -- Use of Object

Date learned: 00-00-1979

View just this record

POLISH

ON THE EVE OF ST. JOHN'S DAY, THE GIRLS GATHER
TOGETHER FOR A DANCE AND BELIEVE THAT ON THE SAME
NIGHT THEY WILL DREAM OF THE MEN THEY WILL MARRY.

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23
BELIEF -- Dreams Dreams about friends and lovers
BELIEF -- Dreams Dreams about weddings, funerals, and other crucial moments of life

Date learned: 12-01-1967

View just this record

ON THE EVE OF ST. JOHN'S

IN COMMEMORATION OF WANDA, A POLISH PRINCESS WHO THREW
HERSELF INTO THE VISTULA (RIVER) RATHER THAN MARRY A
GERMAN COUNT, THE PEOPLE IN POLAND PLACE WREATHES OF
FLOWERS ON THE WATERS, WITH LIT CANDLES IN THEM.
ALSO ON RAFTS ON THE WATER, THE SCENE OF WANDA IS
ACTED OUT ON THE EVENING OF JUNE 23.

Submitter comment: MY FATHER REMEMBERS THIS FROM HIS YOUTH IN POLAND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; POLAND

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23

Date learned: 10-28-1967

View just this record

ON THE EVE OF ST. JOHN'S (6/23)

ON THE EVE OF ST. JOHN'S, IT IS BELIEVED IN POLAND
THAT A CERTAIN FERN BLOOMS THIS EVENING AND ANYONE
WHO FINDS THE BLOSSOM WOULD BE CLAIRVOYANT AND ETERNALLY
HAPPY. IT IS MOST LIKELY A YOUNG PERSON WITH "HONEST
HANDS" WILL FIND IT.

Submitter comment: MY GRANDMOTHER REMEMBERS THIS PRACTICE FROM HER CHILD-
HOOD DAYS IN POLAND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; POLAND

Subject headings: Prediction / Divination
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23

Date learned: 10-28-1967

View just this record

ON JUNE 23, VIGIL OF SAINT JOAN (ST. JOHN?), POLISH BOYS
AND GIRLS GO TO THE FOREST AND SEARCH FOR FERN PLANTS.
WHEN THEY FIND FERN PLANTS, THEY LOOK FOR THE FERN
FLOWER. IT IS BELIEVED THAT WHOEVER FINDS THE FERN
BLOOMING, WILL HAVE ALL THE HAPPINESS IN THE WORLD.

Submitter comment: IT MAY BE INTERESTING TO NOTE HERE THAT THE FERN PLANT
HAS NO FLOWER AND NEVER BLOOMS. BUT THERE ACTUALY
ARE SOME PEOPLE THAT FIRMLY BELIEVE THE FERN BLOOMS.

Data entry tech comment: FERN REPRODUCES BY MEANS OF SPOOR.
CN[ LEGOWSKI, HALINA

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23

Date learned: 10-09-1971

View just this record

EVE OF JUNE 24

ON THE EVE OF THE FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST,
UKRAINIAN VILLAGE GIRLS WEAVE WREATHS. THEY TAKE THEM
DOWN TO THE RIVER, CREEK OR ALEK CLOSEBY, PUT LIGHTED
CANDLES IN THEM AND PLACE THEM ON THE WATER. IF THE
WREATH SINKS WITH THE CANDLES LIGHTED, MISFORTUNE
WILL BEFALL HER.
THE BOYS FROM THE AREA GATHER ON THE OPPOSITE SHORE,
OR COME OUT IN BOATS TO GATHER THE WREATHS. THE
GIRL WHOSE WREATH HE PICKS UP WILL BE HIS FUTURE
WIFE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Subject headings: 862 Use of object for determining future spouse
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23

Date learned: 10-00-1970

View just this record

PAPARTIS BLOOM (FERN BLOOM)

THE LEGEND OF THE FERN BLOOM IS A VERY POPULAR AND FAVORITE AMONG
THE PEOPLE OF THE LITHUANIAN FARMS. IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF A
PERSON FINDS THIS BLOOM, HE FINDS OUT WHERE EVERYTHING IS HIDDEN,
HE CAN LOOK INTO THE FUTURE AND BECOMES VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE. BUT
A PERSON CAN HOPE FOR ANY LUCK AT ALL, ONLY ON ST. JOHN'S EVE--
THAT IS, ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST'S EVE, JUNE 23RD. JUNE 23RD IS
SUPPOSED TO BE (THE) SHORTEST NIGHT AND THE LONGEST DAY. WHEN
NIGHT COMES, ABOUT AN HOUR LATER THE SKY IN THE EAST IS ALREADY
TURNING LIGHT--BY 3:00 A.M., IT IS LIGHT AS DAY. THERE ARE MANY
STORIES AND TALES ABOUT THE FERN BLOOM AND TWO OF THEM FOLLOW.
THEY SAY THAT ON ONE ST. JOHN'S EVE, THE HORSES OF A FARMER
DISAPPEARED. THE FARMER SENT HIS STABLE BOY TO LOOK FOR THEM.
WHILE HE WAS WALKING THROUGH THE FOREST, SUDDENLY EVERYTHING
TURNED VERY VERY BRIGHT . . . AND HE FOUND HIMSELF BEING ABLE TO
SEE EVERYTHING CLEARLY. (TRANSLATOR'S NOTE: A FERN BLOOM BLOOMS
VERY BRIGHTLY. WHEN YOU SEE ONE, YOU GET POWERS THAT ENABLE YOU
TO SEE IN THE FUTURE, WHERE EVERYTHING IS AND IS HIDDEN.) HE ALSO
KNEW WHERE THE HORSES WERE AND WHEN HE FETCHED THEM, HE FOUND OUT
THAT HIS FARMER'S NEIGHBOR HAD SOME GOLD BURIED UNDER AN APPLE
TREE AT THE END OF HIS ORCHARD. HE ALSO FOUND OUT THAT HIS LIFE
WILL BE VERY HARD AND HE WILL REMAIN POOR. HE THEN THOUGHT WHY
SHOULD HE REMAIN POOR IF HE KNEW WHERE THE GOLD WAS BURIED. SO
HE STARTED TOWARD THE NEIGHBOR'S ORCHARD, BUT THEN NOTICED THAT
IT WAS GETTING LIGHT OUT, SO HE DECIDED TO WAIT TILL THE FOLLOWING
NIGHT. INSTEAD, HE DECIDED HE'LL GET SOME SLEEP. SO HE TOOK OFF
HIS MOCCASINS AND STRETCHED OUT BY A WELL. BUT AS HE WAS TAKING
THE MOCCASINS OFF, THERE WAS A SUDDEN FLASH LIKE THAT OF A
DIAMOND. THE STABLE-BOY DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING ABOUT IT, SO HE
FELL ASLEEP.
IN THE MORNING, HOWEVER, WHEN HE AWOKE, HE COULDN'T REMEMBER
ANYTHING FROM THE NIGHT BEFORE . . . HE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHERE
THERE WAS ANY GOLD BURIED.

Submitter comment: TRANSLATED FROM LITHUANIAN BY RAMUNI STONYS.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23

Date learned: 01-17-1972

View just this record

HOW TO FIND A FERN BLOOM

TO FIND THIS BLOOM, YOU HAVE TO BE VERY BRAVE. FIRST OF ALL, YOU
HAVE TO GO DEEP INTO THE FOREST AT NIGHT, AS SOON AS IT GETS DARK.
YOU HAVE TO GO SO FAR THAT YOU WOULDN'T HEAR THE ROOSTER CROWING
AT DAWN, AND THAT IS A GOOD THREE OR FOUR MILES.
WHEN YOU GET INTO THE WOODS, THE PERSON HAS TO DRAW A CIRCLE TWO
STEPS IN DIAMETER AND RADIUS. THEN HE HAS TO SIT DOWN IN THE
MIDDLE, LIGHT A CANDLE AND WAIT TILL HE FINDS THE FERN BLOOM.
IN THE MEANTIME, ALL SORTS OF GOBLINS AND SUPERNATURALS COME UP
TO HIM TRYING TO SCARE HIM. THEY MAKE ALL KINDS OF HORRIBLE FACES
AND STRANGE NOISES. IF THE PERSON GETS FRIGHTENED JUST ONE LITTLE
BIT, HE WILL NOT FIND THE BLOOM. IF HE STICKS IT OUT AND ISN'T
FRIGHTENED, THEN CHANCES ARE THAT HE WILL FIND THE BLOOM. SO IT
IS ONLY THE BRAVEST THAT WILL FIND THE FERN BLOOM.
IN REALITY, THE FERN NEVER BLOOMS. BUT AMONG THE PEOPLE IT IS
BELIEVED TO BLOOM ON ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST'S EVE--JUNE 23.

Submitter comment: TRANSLATED BY RAMUNI STONYS.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23

Date learned: 01-17-1972

View just this record

PAPARTIS BLOOM (FERN BLOOM)

THE LEGEND OF THE FERN BLOOM IS A VERY POPULAR AND FAVORITE AMONG
THE PEOPLE OF THE LITHUANIAN FARMS. IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF A
PERSON FINDS THIS BLOOM, HE FINDS OUT WHERE EVERYTHING IS HIDDEN,
HE CAN LOOK INTO THE FUTURE AND BECOMES VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE. BUT
A PERSON CAN HOPE FOR ANY LUCK AT ALL, ONLY ON ST. JOHN'S EVE--
THAT IS, ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST'S EVE, JUNE 23RD. JUNE 23RD IS
SUPPOSED TO BE (THE) SHORTEST NIGHT AND THE LONGEST DAY. WHEN
NIGHT COMES, ABOUT AN HOUR LATER THE SKY IN THE EAST IS ALREADY
TURNING LIGHT--BY 3:00 A.M., IT IS LIGHT AS DAY. THERE ARE MANY
STORIES AND TALES ABOUT THE FERN BLOOM AND TWO OF THEM FOLLOW.
THEY SAY THAT ON ONE ST. JOHN'S EVE, THE HORSES OF A FARMER
DISAPPEARED. THE FARMER SENT HIS STABLE BOY TO LOOK FOR THEM.
WHILE HE WAS WALKING THROUGH THE FOREST, SUDDENLY EVERYTHING
TURNED VERY VERY BRIGHT . . . AND HE FOUND HIMSELF BEING ABLE TO
SEE EVERYTHING CLEARLY. (TRANSLATOR'S NOTE: A FERN BLOOM BLOOMS
VERY BRIGHTLY. WHEN YOU SEE ONE, YOU GET POWERS THAT ENABLE YOU
TO SEE IN THE FUTURE, WHERE EVERYTHING IS AND IS HIDDEN.) HE ALSO
KNEW WHERE THE HORSES WERE AND WHEN HE FETCHED THEM, HE FOUND OUT
THAT HIS FARMER'S NEIGHBOR HAD SOME GOLD BURIED UNDER AN APPLE
TREE AT THE END OF HIS ORCHARD. HE ALSO FOUND OUT THAT HIS LIFE
WILL BE VERY HARD AND HE WILL REMAIN POOR. HE THEN THOUGHT WHY
SHOULD HE REMAIN POOR IF HE KNEW WHERE THE GOLD WAS BURIED. SO
HE STARTED TOWARD THE NEIGHBOR'S ORCHARD, BUT THEN NOTICED THAT
IT WAS GETTING LIGHT OUT, SO HE DECIDED TO WAIT TILL THE FOLLOWING
NIGHT. INSTEAD, HE DECIDED HE'LL GET SOME SLEEP. SO HE TOOK OFF
HIS MOCCASINS AND STRETCHED OUT BY A WELL. BUT AS HE WAS TAKING
THE MOCCASINS OFF, THERE WAS A SUDDEN FLASH LIKE THAT OF A
DIAMOND. THE STABLE-BOY DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING ABOUT IT, SO HE
FELL ASLEEP.
IN THE MORNING, HOWEVER, WHEN HE AWOKE, HE COULDN'T REMEMBER
ANYTHING FROM THE NIGHT BEFORE . . . HE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHERE
THERE WAS ANY GOLD BURIED.

Submitter comment: TRANSLATED FROM LITHUANIAN BY RAMUNI STONYS.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23

Date learned: 01-17-1972

View just this record

HOW TO FIND A FERN BLOOM

TO FIND THIS BLOOM, YOU HAVE TO BE VERY BRAVE. FIRST OF ALL, YOU
HAVE TO GO DEEP INTO THE FOREST AT NIGHT, AS SOON AS IT GETS DARK.
YOU HAVE TO GO SO FAR THAT YOU WOULDN'T HEAR THE ROOSTER CROWING
AT DAWN, AND THAT IS A GOOD THREE OR FOUR MILES.
WHEN YOU GET INTO THE WOODS, THE PERSON HAS TO DRAW A CIRCLE TWO
STEPS IN DIAMETER AND RADIUS. THEN HE HAS TO SIT DOWN IN THE
MIDDLE, LIGHT A CANDLE AND WAIT TILL HE FINDS THE FERN BLOOM.
IN THE MEANTIME, ALL SORTS OF GOBLINS AND SUPERNATURALS COME UP
TO HIM TRYING TO SCARE HIM. THEY MAKE ALL KINDS OF HORRIBLE FACES
AND STRANGE NOISES. IF THE PERSON GETS FRIGHTENED JUST ONE LITTLE
BIT, HE WILL NOT FIND THE BLOOM. IF HE STICKS IT OUT AND ISN'T
FRIGHTENED, THEN CHANCES ARE THAT HE WILL FIND THE BLOOM. SO IT
IS ONLY THE BRAVEST THAT WILL FIND THE FERN BLOOM.
IN REALITY, THE FERN NEVER BLOOMS. BUT AMONG THE PEOPLE IT IS
BELIEVED TO BLOOM ON ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST'S EVE--JUNE 23.

Submitter comment: TRANSLATED BY RAMUNI STONYS.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23

Date learned: 01-17-1972

View just this record

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