Jackson Hole Fire Festival

Forrest and mikoshi in the Enclosure, Grand Teton

Midsummer’s Eve or Summer Solstice was known to ancient Celts as Alban Heruin, the longest day of the year. Solstice means “standstill” and refers to the way the sun appears to raise and set at the same place for several days in June and December. Alban Heruin means ‘Light of the Shore.’ After this day, the northern hemisphere moves towards the dark part of the year.

  

Midsummers's Eve

Like many cultures that celebrate the Solstice, the element of fire, representing the sun, was associated with Alban Heruin celebrations. Ancient Celts lit bonfires to implore the sun not withdraw into winters darkness. In Ireland it was also a time when the little people or fairies joined the celebrations.

 TAIKOPROJECT

Similarly, every summer in Japan the Yoshida Fire Festival or “Yoshida no Himatsuri” is held to appease the goddess of Mt. Fuji and to keep the volcano from erupting for another year. For this lively festival (celebrated for over 500 years) the entire community comes out to watch the burning of large “taimatsu” torches and the parade of two large mikoshi (portable shrines) through the streets. 

 The Enclosure is believed to be an ancient vision quest site

The goddess on Mt Fuji Sengen Shrine is taken out of her home and carried around the streets of Fujiyoshida in order that she learns the value of the city, and decides to keep the volcano from erupting. The goddess is transferred in a portable shrine called a “mikoshi,” and it is carried around town by local men. If the proper procedures for taking the goddesses’ soul from the shrine and through the streets of Fujiyoshida are not followed, the risk of angering the goddess and an eruption of Fujisan increases.

 Amy McCarthy helping transport the earth mikoshi

In inspired by these traditions the Jackson Hole Fire Festival celebrates the Summer Solstice and ensures Jackson Hole is safe from earthquakes and the eruption of the Yellowstone Super Volcano.

Earth Mikoshi and Flaming Taimatsu

Local mountain bikers of Jackson constructed and carried a mikoshi for the air and wind spirits. Kayakers construct and carried a mikoshi for the water spirits. And local mountaineers carried a mikoshi crafted by glass artist Laurie Thal to the Enclosure on the Grand Teton.