Welcome, dear souls!
Today we are going to talk about St. John's Eve, which takes place in the warmth of the summer solstice. Although astrologically this occurs on June 21st—coinciding with the longest day and shortest night of the year—the festivity is celebrated on the night of June 23rd to 24th to commemorate the birth of St. John the Baptist.
Why is it celebrated on these dates?
- Pagan origin: Historically, the arrival of summer was celebrated, worshiping the sun on the longest day of the year.
- Religious adaptation: The Catholic Church adopted this pagan date and linked it to the birth of St. John the Baptist, who was born on June 24th.
This is one of the most magical, vibrant, and anticipated festivities of the year. A celebration where fire, water, and magic unite to celebrate the arrival of warmth and leave the bad behind. Here's what's most remarkable about this special night:
🔥 Star element: Fire
Bonfires are the absolute center of the celebration. Traditionally, they were lit for two reasons:
- To give strength to the sun: At the solstice, the sun reaches its highest point and then begins to "weaken" (days shorten). Fire gave it energy.
- Purification: It is believed that fire burns bad energies, bad memories, and protects against dense spirits.
The most famous tradition: Jumping over the bonfire. Depending on the region, it is said that if you jump an odd number of times (or a specific number, such as 7 or 9 times), you will have protection and good luck all year.
🌊 The power of water and Nature
Water is the other great purifying element of this night.
- The midnight bath: In coastal areas (like here in Spain), tradition dictates going into the sea at midnight and jumping nine waves with your back to eliminate negative energies.
- The morning dew: Inland, washing your face with St. John's dew water ensures beauty and health for the entire year.
How is it celebrated? 🎉
Although celebrated in many places around the world, the festival varies by region:
- In Spain: It is spectacular on the Mediterranean coast and in Andalusia, where beaches are filled with music and bonfires. In Galicia (or San Xoán) it has a very mystical and Celtic tint, full of "meigas" (witches) and spells.
- In Latin America: In countries like Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, or Peru, it is celebrated with traditional fire games (like "pelota tatá" or walking on embers), coinciding there with the arrival of winter.
🌌 Rituals for St. John's Eve
✨ House and aura cleansing:
We clean the entire house, ventilating to renew energies, and light a cleansing incense (sage, palo santo...). We make circles counter-clockwise, visualizing how all negative and dense energy leaves. We also pass the incense around ourselves to be clean and prepared.
Afterward, we do the same but clockwise, visualizing how a white and blue light enters us, recharging and protecting us.
🔥 The purifying fire:
In your bonfire, if you can't go to one, you can also use a black candle (to transmute) or white (for purification) if you don't have one). We jump 3, 7, or 9 times over it, visualizing how everything we don't want is eliminated, always CAREFUL not to burn yourself. In this way, we cleanse the body and aura of negative energies, as fire transmutes and eliminates them, making space for the positive.
📝 The paper ritual:
We can combine the following ritual with the previous one, as this way we are clean, purified, and open to the positive.
- To let go: Write on a piece of paper everything you wish to release and let go of to make way for abundance and prosperity. At midnight, we burn it in the bonfire (or in the candle if you are at home) and, if you dare, jump 3 or 7 times visualizing how everything you don't want leaves.
- To attract: On another piece of paper, write what you desire for this year, always as if you already had it and giving thanks. Place it under your pillow to sleep, and the next morning, you can bury it in a pot with a living plant, place it on your altar, or burn it, giving thanks for the good received.
🌿 St. John's Herbs:
In places like Galicia, aromatic herbs (rosemary, fennel, fern...) are gathered and left in water overnight to wash one's face the next day.
A hug of light,
Alma de Bastet.
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