As with all the months of the year, June is full of its own folklore and superstition. The month of Midsummer, it is a liminal turn of the year where the nature spirits are awake and active. Here are a few of our favorite old beliefs:
The Honey Moon – June’s full moon is traditionally known as the Honey Moon, named for the sweet mead made after the first honey harvest. It’s also where the tradition of June weddings and “honeymoons” began.
Midsummer Mischief – Folklore says that on the night of the summer solstice, the veil between worlds grows thin. Fairies are especially active—and a little more mischievous than usual. Keep a charm nearby if you wander after dark.
The Whispering Well – In some parts of England, wells were thought to speak during midsummer. If you dropped a stone in and made a wish at sunrise on the solstice, the ripples would carry your desire into the unseen.
Stone Circles Wake – Many believed that ancient stone circles, like Stonehenge, “woke up” at midsummer. Stones were thought to sing, move, or glow at sunrise on June 21st.
Prophetic Dreams – Sleeping with flowers under your pillow on Midsummer’s Eve was said to bring dreams of your future. Some versions say it will show you who you’ll marry; others say it reveals your heart’s true path.
Weather Lore – "If the weather is fair on June 29 (St. Peter’s Day), it will be fair for the harvest.” June was full of weather-based sayings, each one a little spell of hope or warning.
Witches and Midsummer – Some stories claimed that witches gathered on midsummer night to perform rites beneath the full moon, especially in the mountains or near sacred wells.
The Sun Stands Still – The word solstice comes from Latin solstitium, meaning "sun standing still." Ancient people believed that on this day, the sun paused in the sky to catch its breath—making it a powerful moment for spells of stillness, clarity, and insight.
June Birthmarks – In Balkan folklore, a child born under the June moon with a birthmark was thought to have second sight or a gift for seeing spirits.
Wartime Warnings – A European superstition held that thunder during the month of June was a sign of coming war or unrest, especially if it rang out during a wedding.
June Spirits Walk – In parts of rural Ireland, it was believed that the spirits of the dead took one night around midsummer to revisit the living. It was considered a good time to light candles in windows or speak aloud to those you missed.
