Western Pagans celebrate nature, seen here at YSEE ritual (Wikipedia).
Russian neo-pagans look on while participating in festivities to celebrate the summer solstice in Maloyaroslavets, some 124 miles (200 km) south-west of Moscow, Russia, early Saturday, June 20, 2009. The festivities of Ivan Kupala, or John the Baptist, are similar to Mardi Gras and reflect pre-Christian Slavic traditions and practices. After the 1991 Soviet collapse, Russia has seen a revival of the Russian Orthodox church along with a surge of indigenous movements and creeds (AP/Sergey Ponomarev).
A supreme Russian neo-pagan priest beats a tambourine while his followers dance around a bonfire to celebrate the summer solstice in Maloyaroslavets, Russia, 6/20/09 (AP/Sergey Ponomarev).
Japanese Pagan-Buddhist shrine within a tree -- for trolls, gnomes, and/or dryads (Pali yakkhas, kumbhandas, and/or bhummatha-devas).
Summer Solstice (34 photos)
