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June 24th and the water of San Giovanni

Art and Culture

The magic of the night of June 24th. How to make St. John's water

The night of San Giovanni has been considered a night full of magic since ancient times. The Saint in question is Saint John the Baptist (Kingdom of Herod, end of the first century BC) who was the first saint to recognize Jesus as Master and dedicated himself to baptizing others for the purification and rebirth of the spirit. Jesus also went to him to receive baptism. In short, Saint John was familiar with water (baptism), light and fire (ability to see).

According to pagan beliefs during this festival, the Sun (fire) marries the Moon (water). From here and from sacred history derive all the rites and uses of bonfires and dew, present in the peasant and popular tradition.

In the days close to the solstice the sun reinvigorates the earth and introduces the new season full of fertility and magic, where nature is at its maximum splendor and these forces needed to be celebrated to avoid adverse events, such as diseases or droughts or storms. It is said that under the cover of darkness the witches used to gather under a walnut tree to collect the still green fruits and prepare nocino, a liqueur considered therapeutic. Furthermore, fires were lit, considered a propitiatory, purifying rite capable of driving away demons and preventing diseases. It was believed that young people dancing around the fire and jumping on the embers would get married or have a child within the year. The ash was then spread in the fields to protect from parasites.

It seems that the dew that fell on the night between 23 and 24 June is the dew of the gods that blesses the new born. For this reason, even in the Marche countryside the custom of doing this at night was known the water of San Giovanni, to wash children with it the next morning in order to give them strength and protection from diseases and the evil eye.

 

What is left of these ancient customs?

Perhaps the tradition that still lives throughout the region is that of making San Giovanni water. Meetings are even organized to perpetuate this ritual. There is news of it in Cingoli, where a farmhouse celebrates and causes this custom to be celebrated. In the Pesaro area at dawn on June 24th the women gather to wait for the sun to rise on the seashore, according to the traditions connected to this magical day. In the countryside of Jesi there are many elderly people who remember the rites of the magical night, even if there are few families who still practice them. In Fabriano people still collect flowers and leaves in their homes, convinced that “the dew of Saint John ago healed from every ailment" and the Cartiera has been producing for some years The Charter of Saint John, kneaded by mixing flowers and leaves together with cellulose. In Macerata the florists sell bunches of herbs suitable for making good water. In the Piceno area, where the same saying as in Fabriano sounds, this habit is perpetuated in many families and even the few young people willingly pick up on it.

But how is it made and how is San Giovanni water used?

It's a simple process and within everyone's reach. It's worth the experience.

It consists of three phases: – collection of plants what does it mean knowledge and respect - water exposure at night which indicates abandonment and trust – bath with water which represents purity and rebirth.

It is necessary to collect on June 23rd a set of herbs and flowers of various types: broom, poppies, cornflowers, rose petals, jasmine, honeysuckle, elderflowers, carnations, buttercups, lavender, chamomile, scented leaves such as mint, clover, thyme, oregano , amaranth, basil, sage, rosemary, mint, mallow, walnut and bay leaves, artemisia (the herb of Diana-Artemis), wild fennel, oats, and all those that can be found. But St. John's wort, called St. John's wort, which has pharmaceutical properties, should not be missing. In any case the result will be positive even if not all the herbs listed are found.

Once collected, at sunset the herbs and petals should be placed in a basin filled with fresh water, which will be placed outdoors (in the absence of other spaces the windowsill is also fine) so that it can receive the benefit of the moon's rays and dew.

The following morning we will begin the day with ablutions of this infusion which has collected inebriating and fresh substances and scents during the night. Beyond beliefs and rites, stories and traditions, it is an exceptional delight and an ineffable pleasure.

Seeing is believing!

Carla Virili

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