Midsummer 2024: Traditions, charms and herbs

What you will find in the article:
1. Saint John customs and traditions
2. Which medicinal herbs to collect on Midsummer’s Eve
3. Herbs for making a protective amulet

The Christian Church tried to eradicate pagan holidays for a long time, and in the end at least covered the solstice tradition with Midsummer Night celebrations, which had a connection with John the Baptist. However, the customs, rituals, healing power of herbs and charms persisted.

When is Midsummer Night

Midsummer night is celebrated from June 23 to 24in 2024 this magical night will be from Sunday to Monday.

What to prepare for?

1. Traditions and customs

This the night is full of enchantment and magic, supernatural powers come to life in her and a gate between worlds opens. It is possible to summon the spirits of the dead and connect with mysterious powers. The earth opens up and the treasure hunters set out. Various rituals are also performed on Midsummer Night, the roots of which go back to ancient times. It is, for example, jumping over fire or throwing wreaths into water.

Treasure Hunt

Forget the metal detectors for a moment, things are different on Midsummer’s Eve. First it is necessary to find flowering fern, then catch the golden fern flower in the white dress. Whoever managed to get the golden flower was gifted with magical abilities and was able to find and eventually open the rock and the ground where the treasure was hidden. But watch out! One can only take as much of the discovered treasure as they can carry. Otherwise, he is badly punished by mysterious forces.

A night of mischief and wild women

On Midsummer night, however, not only positive energies came to life, treasure hunters were threatened by mazes that lured pilgrims into the swamps. It was possible to drive them away with swearing and curses. These were the souls of deceased unbaptized children, so-called unbaptized children.

However, a good person needn’t have been afraid of them. They also went into action wild women, witches, forest women. They were believed to look into windows and trade human children for their own. They also lured the man to dance, if he consented, it turned out badly for him, they ripped him apart.

Saint John’s Wreath

Another superstition says that the girl has plucked blossoms at midnight welcome to a wreath that will tell her who will become her husband. Wreaths were thrown into the water. Wreaths were made of St. John’s wort (daisy), cocklebur, violets or pansies, rosehips, rosehips, bellflowers or cornflowers. In order for the wreath to be powerful, it had to be made of nine or at least seven flowers.

Devatero is blooming

It is said that herbs collected on Midsummer night have the greatest healing power thanks to the power of the Sun. Single ladies they can also pluck »devatero flowers« (daisy, rose /can be rosehip/, smolnika, cornflower, roschodníček /rochodník prudký/, čichmudíček – túcmužík /notresk/, motherwort, violet /field pansy/, bluebell). The person must pick the flowers without speaking or looking back. After that, he should put them under his pillow. At night, her future husband appears in her dream.

2. Which medicines to collect on Midsummer’s Eve?

There are a number of them and they all help. What about the collected herbs? Dry them and keep them for the winter – tea from them has not only healing but also magical power! Prepare a bath from some of the fresh herbs. You can also steam fresh herbs and drink tea from them.

• Chamomile – treats inflammation, improves wound healing, helps with stomach problems
• St. John’s wort (St. John’s wort) – calms, relieves depression, improves sleep
• Nine-force – soothes cough, has an anti-rheumatic effect
• Marigold – the decoction is used to treat wounds
• Thyme – it is used for diseases of the upper respiratory tract, it also has a beneficial effect on inflammation of the bladder
• Medical comonics – in poultices and ointments it can be used against ulcers, swellings, arthritis, rheumatism and headaches
• An asterisk – a decoction of dried stems of starling is used to treat infections of the urinary tract and genitals
• Čičmudníček – fresh juice is used for warts, corns or burns
• Fit – helps to remove cramps, stimulates the secretion of digestive juices, has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bloating effect
• Division – treats bronchial diseases, has anti-inflammatory effects
• Basil – affects the respiratory tract and facilitates coughing, improves kidney function
• Plantain – has an anti-inflammatory effect, facilitates clearing of coughs
• Yarrow – it is used especially for problems with menstruation
• Chernobyl – used for digestive problems, reduces spasms
• Libeček – promotes appetite, improves digestion and suppresses flatulence

3. St. John’s wort herbs suitable for making a talisman

Forest heather

Red heather is a symbol of memories, love and passion. We carry white heather with us for good luck and protection. Heather is also a symbol of determination, strong will and perseverance. Talismans for endurance, love or luck are made from its root.

Magic fern

Ferns are traditionally collected on Midsummer night, especially if we manage to find a golden flowering fern in the dark forest. In June, waxy spores ripen on the underside of the leaves – golden flowers, sometimes glowing greenish in the dark.

Granny spicers collect them, process them into a substance called forest wax and use them as medicine and an aphrodisiac. The spiral ends of the fern leaves collected at night are dried and carried with us in a magic pouch as a talisman for good luck.

Wormwood chernobyl

If you collect it on Midsummer night and carry it dried in a magic pouch with you, it will bring you good luck. In the past, housewives placed a sprig of sagebrush in front of the door during storms, it protected the home from lightning. The magic of chernobyl is useful when traveling, so pack it in your holiday luggage.

St. John’s wort

Those who wanted to protect themselves from the evil power of demons on Midsummer night carried a sprig of St. John’s wort with them, the dancers who danced around the fire wore a wreath of witch hazel (St. John’s wort).

A St. John’s wort hanging in the window will protect the house from bewitchment, disease and madness, its scent will drive away unwelcome spirits. If you make your own medicinal St. John’s wort oil, you may be surprised by the resulting beautiful red color. St. John’s Wort attached to the front door drives away evil spirits.

OUR TIP: What other dates – apart from Midsummer’s Eve – are suitable for witchcraft? Check out this infographic:

TIP NA VIDEO: According to scientist Helen Stanků, what are the Midsummer holidays? You will find out in the video.