According to widespread belief across Eastern European, Middle Eastern, and various pagan traditions, leaping over specially prepared bonfires during summer solstice celebrations—particularly at sunset or midnight—provides powerful spiritual purification, protection against illness, and removal of negative influences. This fire-jumping ritual supposedly works through multiple mechanisms: the flames burn away accumulated negative energies; the smoke carries prayers and intentions skyward; while successfully crossing the fire represents transformation and courage. Some traditions specify varying fire arrangements for different purification needs: higher flames for major spiritual cleansing; ember-jumping for fertility enhancement; or parallel fires creating purification tunnels for community passage.
A baby’s future career or fate is predicted by the first object they select during a ceremonial setup.
In several Asian and Eastern European cultures, a traditional ceremony is held for babies usually around their first birthday. Known
