St John's Eve Herb Gathering

The eve of the Nativity of St John the Baptist, 23 June, was the great midsummer festival of medieval and early modern Europe. Bonfires were lit at dusk, people leapt them and carried brands around the fields, and plants gathered that night or before dawn on the feast were credited with unusual virtue. St John's wort was hung over doors and windows against evil spirits and storms. Stow describes London doorways decked with green birch, long fennel, St John's wort, orpine and white lilies, with lamps burning all night. In German lands girdles of mugwort were worn around the fire and then thrown into it to carry away misfortune. Fern seed, gathered at midnight, was said to make its bearer invisible.

Purpose

Across Europe herbs gathered on Midsummer Eve were believed to carry special protective and healing power, warding houses against witchcraft, lightning, fire and illness.

Timing

Season / time

The date 06-23

The eve of St John (evening of 23 June); herbs were gathered that evening, at midnight (fern seed) or before sunrise on 24 June, and bonfires lit at sunset.

Materials

• St John's wort
• green birch
• fennel
• orpine
• white lilies
• mugwort
• fern

Tools

• lamps
• bonfire

Omitted

Some regional customs also gathered foxglove and other poisonous plants on this night; these are mentioned for historical understanding only and should not be gathered or used.

St John's wort is not for ingestion without medical advice: it causes photosensitivity and interacts with many medicines. Bonfire safety.