The time around 21 June was already regarded as special in ancient times. Especially in the northern countries , the light, the warmth of the sun and the long day were seen as a parable for the miracle of life. The fertility of man and cattle took a central position. For a long time, our late Stone Age ancestors' knowledge of celestial mechanics was thought to be poorly developed.
However, the discovery of the Nebra star disc or of cultic sites with a clear astronomical reference changed previously valid assessments. These sites, mostly circular in shape, were found all over Germany. Here, important dates in the calendar for agriculture and socialising could be staged and duly celebrated.
Summer solstice, a magical time
The summer solstice, characterised by the longest day of the year, was celebrated in pre-Christian times with a festival lasting several days. This once sacred ceremony still lives on today, especially in the customs of the Nordic people.
As with all important festivals of prehistoric times, Midsummer was also believed to have magical effects. It was a good time to call upon the spirits and use their powers to protect crops and livestock. The same was true for the preservation of health and the attainment of prosperity.
St. John's Day
As the solstice celebration was one of the most important festivals of ancient times, the church found it difficult to stop it. At last a suitable saint was found to honour on this date, St. John. St John's Day was set for 24 June. Just as on the summer solstice, a fire is lit on St John's Eve. People tapped into the magical power of the solstice fire, for example, through ecstatic dances or daring leaps over the fire. These have disappeared from customs, as they were probably also performed naked. But the power of fire could also be awakened in other ways. Burning bales of straw were sometimes made to roll downhill or torchlight processions were held.
Solstice herbs
Aromatic plants that once adorned the places of worship of the ancient sun worshippers were also considered important by the devout worshippers of St. John. As was customary in pre-Christian times, these herbs were used to protect health, livestock and the home.
Even today, it is customary in many places to decorate St. John's wreaths and crowns with solstice herbs. Oak leaves, bracken, lycopod, mugwort, St. John's wort, poppy, lily, cornflower, delphinium and roses were used. St. John's wort leaves were thrown under the dining table. The wreaths were placed under the pillow. This was the way to ensure happiness and love.
Arnica
The medicinal plant, also known as mountain sage or St. John's wort, was picked for herb bushes, which were hung up in the house for protection and used as a medicine chest in case of illness. Arnica, along with other plants, was a component of the St. John's bed. Children put pictures of saints on this bed. The next day they found money underneath. Elsewhere, a cord was strung across the path with an arnica bouquet or wreath hanging from it. People passing could buy their way out with a piece of money.
Mullein
This stately plant has been known for a long time as part of the herb bush and as a medicinal plant. In some regions, the mullein was dragged through the St. John's fire and fastened over the stable door the next morning as a protective amulet. Elsewhere, mullein picked before sunrise was used to burn incense in the stables to ward off evil.
Fern
Ferns were considered magical plants in midsummer. Fern roots dug up on the third day of the new moon in Cancer were said to help against atrophy.
Mugwort in customs, medicinal plant and magical herb
Mugwort, which was once one of the most important herbs, was worn as a belt on St. John's Eve. Mugwort was also hung as a wreath in the stable to ward off evil. Stones found under a mugwort plant on St. John's Eve had special powers. Taken in powder form, they could help against epilepsy and 4-day fever.
St. John's wort
The importance of St. John's wort as a medicinal plant can be seen in the many customs that have developed around this plant. It begins to flower at the time of the summer solstice and is considered particularly effective when picked at this time. Picked on St. John's Day and given to the cattle between two slices of bread, it was said to protect against many kinds of illness. Smoked, the herb harvested on this day helped against toothache, gout and rheumatism.
Boar Hog Root
This plant, also known as the solstice thistle, used to be collected on St. John's Day and planted around the house. As many thistles were planted as there were people living in the house. They served as an oracle. It was believed that as many inhabitants would die as the number of thistles that arrived in the course of the year.
Lady's mantle
Lady's mantle was considered a protective plant against lightning and was often part of the solstice bush.
Walnut
Although the walnut first came to us through the Romans, there are many customs related to St. John's Day. It is said that its leaves are particularly medicinal if they are collected on 24 June. The nuts for nut brandy were also preferably collected at this time, preferably at noon. To treat toothache, nuts were roasted on the branch in the St. John's fire. You had to bite into them while they were still hot.
Vervain
Vervain is carried by men at the Solstice celebrations. According to old beliefs, it is said to strengthen the potency.
Strawberries
Strange things have been said about strawberries. Mothers whose child has died should not eat strawberries before St. John's Day. On St. John's Day, the Virgin Mary leads the children to the strawberries, and children whose mothers have already eaten some go empty-handed.
Caraway
Caraway seeds, which once played an important role in folk medicine and associated customs, were also preferably collected at this time, because caraway seeds collected on St. John's Day were considered to be particularly effective.
Centaury
The bitter little plant could not only improve digestion. Collected silently on St. John's Day and placed in a money bag, it was supposed to ensure that money would always be available throughout the year.
Ground ivy
Placed on rheumatic parts of the body on St. John's Day, ground ivy was supposed to cure the disease.
Quendel
This ancient medicinal plant, similar to thyme, was given to women as a tea when they gave birth. The herb harvested on St. John's Day was said to be the most helpful.
Elderberry
Of course, elderberry harvested on St. John's Day also had a very special effect. Anyone who made a cake out of an elderflower picked on St. John's Day, fried it in butter and ate it, would not fall ill for the rest of the year. At that time, the fire fair was considered to be the seat of the household spirits, who were apparently involved in this meal through the scent. It was hoped that this offering would bring help from the spirit world.
Linden tree
The linden tree occupies a prominent place in Germanic folk belief. The village linden tree, for example, was a place where court was held. It is therefore not surprising that a linden branch, cut on St. John's Day and placed over the entrance door, was considered a means of keeping thieves, robbers and burglars away. Elsewhere, linden bast tied around the horns of cattle was used to prevent witches from entering the stables.
Yarrow
In some parts of Germany the girls knew a love oracle. On St. John's Eve they wove a wreath of yarrow. But not just like that, but with their left hand and behind their back. Then they walked home without setting foot over a stream or the threshold of the house. The wreath, placed under the pillow, was supposed to make the future husband appear in the dream.
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