St. John’s Night, which is linked to the summer solstice, the night between June 23 and 24, is considered a “magical” night in many ways.

On the magical night between June 23 and 24, St. John’s water is prepared with the hope that it will bring love, health, good fortune and prosperity.

Legend has it that St. John’s water possesses protective healing virtues and also brings health, good fortune and love among the benefits.

St. John’s Night is therefore a night filled with mysteries and legends.

Tradition has it that on this day a perfumed and fragrant water is prepared that seems to give the possibility of collecting the “dew of the gods” called precisely St. John’s water.

Let’s take a closer look at what it is with what herbs it is prepared and how to use St. John’s water on the night of magical rites.

 

 

 

What is St. John’s water?

It is a water into which a mixture of wild herbs and flowers is put on the night of St. John, the night before June 24, which is the day on which St. John the Baptist is celebrated. Always considered a magical night of the summer solstice.

Origin: the tradition of St. John’s Night is particularly linked to the summer solstice, in fact this is the time when nature’s most auspicious time begins. In the past, in order to avoid negative events (such as droughts and storms) that could have ruined crops, prayers and magical propitiatory rites were made.

For this reason, collecting this dew was considered a useful ritual to obtain health and serenity in the following months.

What is St. John’s water used for and what to do with it?

St. John’s water is used to wash the face and hands.

It is a traditional propitiatory rite, considered a purifying gesture, as the dew recalled the baptism of St. John the Baptist.

Bathing hands and face with the dew on this night has a meaning of rebirth and renewal.

It is said to bring good luck, love and health.

To ward off adversity, propitiatory bonfires representing the sun are made and St. John’s water is prepared to collect the dew, which symbolizes the moon.

St. John’s water would bring good luck and prosperity due to the incredible power of flowers and would be able to protect crops by warding off calamities.

 

 

Here’s how to make this precious water and which flowers to pick.
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Steeping time: 8-12 hours
Ingredients:
Water
Flowers and wild herbs possibly from the local area

 

What flowers to collect for St. John’s water?

Usually you collect the edible herbs and flowers that your local area offers.

However, they are usually easily found:
Hypericum: also called “St. John’s Wort,” as it blooms right around June 24. Believed to be a foul-mouthed herb; in fact, legend has it that it has the ability to drive away evil spirits.

Particularly on the night of St. John’s Day, a bunch of St. John’s Wort flowers was placed in front of house doors to drive away the evil one.
– Lavender
– Wormwood
– Wild fennel
– Mallow
– Vervain
– Rosemary
– Rose
– Mint
– Sage
– Chamomile
– Passion flower
– Elderberry

When to prepare.

According to tradition one should gather wild herbs and flowers on the evening of June 23, after sunset.

In choosing the herbs there is no rule, one relies on one’s instinct by choosing from the herbs present.

The picked flowers should be placed in a basin full of water to be left outdoors overnight.

The herbs and flowers in this way can absorb the morning dew.
How to use it.

On the morning of June 24, you will get St. John’s fragrant water to use for washing your hands and face.

You will have a pleasant sensation of fragrance and freshness. St. John’s scented water for washing hands and face.

It is recommended to respect nature when harvesting herbs, not to collect excessive amounts of specimens and not to uproot plants.