The feast day of San Giovanni (St. John) will be celebrated on June 24th and there is a beautiful Southern Italian ritual tied to the festivities; that of preparing L’Acqua di San Giovanni. Often referred to as perfumed water, it is prepared on the evening of June 23rd then used the next morning to wash the face and hands in a ritual of purification of good luck. L’acqua di San Giovanni wards off the evil eye and offers personal protection; it aids in developing friendships and finding love.
The fragrant liquid must be prepared by a woman as historically; the gathering of wild herbs and flowers was the domain of rural women who are viewed as the keepers of the hearth, the healers, and those most connected to the nurturing cycles of the Earth. Additionally, it must be prepared on an empty stomach as fasting represents purity thus helping to ward off misfortune, and ensuring the floral elixir’s blessings of love, health, and prosperity.
The flowering tops of aromatic herbs and flowers are placed in water and left to macerate under the moonlight, under the influence of the stars which imbue it with magical healing properties. The flowers and herbs that are immersed in water must be gathered in odd numbers (often 7 or 9) because odd numbers symbolize movement, luck, and ongoing life. Even numbers were historically viewed as perfectly complete and stagnant, making them associated with death and reserved for funerals.
The ritual relies on leaving a basin of water the flowers and herbs outdoors overnight so it can absorb la guazza (the morning dew), which is intimately connected to lunar, maternal, and feminine energy.
The plants used should be full of healing properties and harvested at dusk. While the formulation varies from family to family, there are certain flora that are traditionally utilized:
- Lavendar – it is a good omen of prosperity and fertility and was once believed to protect from demons and evil spells
- Bay leaves – a symbol of divine wisdom
- Mugwort – historically dubbed the “mother of herbs,” it was often offered up to the gods to ensure good harvests and prosperity. It has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, and it embodies the independent feminine spirit.
- John’s Wort – traditionally harvested between June 21-24th to make an infused oil. It is said to represent sunlight and has documented antidepressant and healing properties
- Lemon balm – a perennial herb that reaches its peak growth during the summer solstice. It is said to provide a sense of protection and help manage emotional overexpression
- Sage – affects creativity and promotes expression. Sage has been linked to the divine and is said to help enhance the ability to dream
- (Lemon) Verbena – it has long been used in herbalism to help balance mood with its fresh and delicate fragrance.
The magical elixir is then used on the Feast of San Giovanni. While it must be prepared solely by women, it can be used by all. Newborns were often bathed in the mystic liquid to safeguard them from illness, young women were said to wash their hair with the water hoping for chiome forti e mariti gentili (strong hair and gentle husbands), and the elderly used it to wash their faces, particularly their eyes for clear insight into the days ahead.
With the cleansing also comes a supplication:
“Acqua di San Giovanni lavami il male e portami il bene, come la rugiada cade leggera, cosi cada su di me la fortuna intera”
“Water of St. John, wash away all evil and bring me good, as the dew falls lightly, so may all good fortune fall upon me”
After these words are recited a deep breath is taken, the weight of past burdens eases, any jealousy disappears and all misfortune is washed away with the healing water.
This tradition at the start of the summer solstice is an ancient one that predates Christianity and is still practiced in Italy. It is a time of blessing combined with beautiful symbols of the season, ripeness, protection and love. May the good wishes that come with beautiful practice be bestowed upon everyone. Buona Festa di San Giovanni and Buon Appetito!
