Have you ever wondered about the magic of Midsummer Night, when herbs have the greatest power? Why is it celebrated and where did it come from? This magical night, which is associated with many rituals that travel across cultures and countries, is always celebrated the night before St. John's Day (June 24.6). For centuries, people have used it to celebrate life, love and the forces of nature. They collected medicinal herbs, lit fires, foretold the future and looked for love. These traditions were passed down from generation to generation and many of them have survived to this day. Midsummer Night is not just a fairy tale for children, it has a deep meaning even today. So come and listen to the unconventionally told story of this unique night.
Why is Midsummer Night's Eve celebrated?
As the name of the saint suggests, the night is drawn to celebrate the commemoration of St. John the Baptist and is very closely connected to the summer solstice holidays. It reflects ancient mythical, pagan and pre-Christian traditions with Christian references. If we think about it more, we come to the conclusion that these holidays passing through Europe appear in countries where the Slavs lived. For me personally, there is a huge connection between the Czech Midsummer Night and the Bulgarian Eniovden, the day of all herbalists. And today, I would like to introduce you to both of these herbal variants. And let you see the magic of the traditions of two countries, which today are separated by 1000 km but are still very close.
Silent gathering by moonlight
The Mysterious Night, before St. John's Day (June 24.6), gives herbs their greatest power. Traditionally, Midsummer herbs are used as St. John's wort, cornflower, sage-brush, thyme, yarrow, comfrey, ergot and daisy, are collected before the first rays of the sun. They are then tied into protective bouquets with which we decorate our homes. In the days of our great-great-grandmothers, unmarried girls would secretly collect St. John's wort under the moonlight. They would weave a wreath and put it under their pillow. A dream was supposed to show them their future groom.
You will surely remember the famous excerpt from Božena Němcová's book - Grandma:
"Her soul reveled in memories! She saw a meadow before her, a mountain village, the moon and stars shining above her – it was the same moon and stars, eternally beautiful, ageless – but she had been a young, fresh girl at that time, when on Midsummer’s Eve she picked nine flowers for the fateful wreath. As if it were happening, the grandmother felt the fear she had lest anyone should come in her way and thwart the spell. She saw herself in her room, she saw the flowered cushions on her bed, under which she placed the wreath. She remembered how fervently she had prayed that God would give her a dream in which the one her soul had taken a liking to would appear to her. The trust she had placed in the fateful wreath did not disappoint her; she saw in her dream a man of tall stature, with a clear, sincere appearance, the one who had no equal in the world for her.” (B.Němcová – Grandma, e-book, Municipal Library in Prague, 2012, Chapter IX, p. 103)
During Midsummer's Eve, bonfires are also lit, and in the Czech lands, it is said that whoever jumps over them will be blessed with strength for the entire coming year. Their flame symbolizes the sun, which is at the peak of its power at the time of the solstice.
Bulgarian Day of All Herbalists – Eniovden
In Bulgaria, the so-called Eniovden (June 24.6th) is celebrated, a holiday for all herbalists. It is said that on this day the stars descend from the heavens and bless the herbs. The feminine energy is worshipped. Women and girls weave Eniovden wreaths or bouquets for health, from herbs collected just before dawn, which they give to all members of the household. Among the herbs that are considered the most healing on this magical night are: “eniovčeto” (St. John’s wort), hello geranium, lemon balm, nettle, linden flower, wormwood, thyme, cowslip, ergot, but also roses a rosemaryIn addition to these bouquets and wreaths, 77 and a half herbs are collected "against every disease" and dried for the winter.
Folk rituals also included rinsing in a flowing spring or walking in the morning dew, because only on this night is the water healing. And we must not forget the superstition that whoever sees the trembling dancing sun in the morning will be healthy all year long. They must turn their face to the sun and then look over their shoulder at their shadow.
Do you see any connections between the two holidays? They are quite similar, don't you think? The herbal night associated with the solstice is truly magical in both mentioned variations!
I wish you good health and a wonderful summer!
PS: You can find many of the herbs mentioned in floral waters a essential oils SoZoLe Rose, which we produce for you with love and utmost care in our family company. Let's celebrate these Slavic holidays together with the scent of blooming meadows and lush forests.
Read what floral waters or hydrolates are in this article.
Wondering what the difference is between flower water and herbal decoction? You'll discover the truth here.
Sources:
Naďová, Alena: A Woman in the Transformations of the Year. Reflection of the Natural Cycle in a Woman's Life. CPress, 2021.
https://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svatojánská_noc
https://web2.mlp.cz/koweb/00/03/34/76/44/babicka.pdf
https://www.nationalgeographic.bg/a/enyovden-praznikt-na-lecebnite-bilki
