Between the 23rd and the 24th of June, on St John’s eve, people celebrate “The Dew of Saint John, who freezes all diseases”. The Pagan rite of summer solstice meets and merges with the Christian tradition of the birth of St John. In the countryside, “beneficial herbs” are picked at night under the assumption they hold particular powers and curative benefits by virtue of the mediation of the Saint: thus a kind of “magical” water is prepared, used in rejuvenating and curative ablutions, to ameliorate skin conditions and to help hair grow stronger.
Amongst the plants picked on the 24th of June are Saint John’s wort, chamomile, verbena, artemisia, rue, mint, thyme, periwinkle, rosemary, garlic, lavender, sage, and above all, fern.
