At the time of the summer solstice the Sun, the fire of the heavens, is at the height of its powers. From the beginning of time it was obvious to humans that at any moment it will move and begin to go down. To help the sun stay strong, humans developed a series of magical rituals and placed fire at the centre of bonfire celebrations. It's magical and mystical, it's both the preserver and the destroyer of life, it is purifying and protective. Although domesticated, the power of fire is undeniable.

The humans and their livestock wanted to benefit from the fire's power. This is why they lit bonfires on many hilltops, to commemorate St John at the time of the solstice. The fire had to be as close to the sun as possible to increase its magical power. People sung and danced around it, jumped over it, and even led livestock over the embers - for purification, health and protection.

A wheel with two crosses in the center, late 18th, early 19th century, Kamnica. Such wheels did not have metal framework and were less durable, but they would be used as fire wheels at bonfires. They were filled with straw or dry sticks, set on fire and rolled down the bank. The wheel is an ancient Indo-European symbol of the sun.