From sunrise to sunset: The sun in folk magical and healing practices in the 19th–21st centuries

Abstract

Abstract. The sun has played, and continues to play, a significant role in cosmological, symbolic, and religious imaginaries across cultures worldwide − including the folk traditions of the Polish lands. This article focuses on folk healing practices tied to specific times of day, particularly sunrise and sunset. Despite historical and social transformations, these practices demonstrate remarkable continuity from the medieval period to the present day.

The research initially concentrated on material from the Pomerania and Kashubia regions. However, comparison with sources from other areas − such as Masuria, Podhale, and the Lemko region − reveals striking similarities in rituals, beliefs, and sun-related symbolism. The article draws on both historical accounts (from the 15th to 19th centuries) and contemporary ethnographic fieldwork. Central to the discussion are healing rituals that required specific times of day (before sunrise or after sunset), designated places, and sacred objects (such as water, salt etc.).

The article also highlights the presence of an earlier, semi-sacred conception of the sun − as the “eye of God,” a “divine shield,” or even a feminine figure (the “holy lady”) − and the persistence of these notions in therapeutic folk practices. This study seeks to illuminate the role of the sun as a key element of folk worldview, wherein the sacred, nature, and healing practice form a complex and enduring whole.