Put an excursion in nature on the agenda, looking for spontaneous herbs. In fact, June 23 is a magical night, during which the traditionally prepares theAcqua di San Giovanni To collect the dew of the gods. Legend has it that San Giovanni’s water has protective healing virtues and bringing health, luck and love.
The magic of the night of San Giovanni
The June 23rdthe night preceding the birth of St. John the Baptist, has always been considered a magical nightduring which they are celebrated Propiziatory and purifying rites. Magic is linked to Summer solsticewhich marks the beginning of the new summer season. The summer solstice falls on the longest day of the year and in this period nature reaches its maximum splendor. Despite the strong rebirth, attention must be paid to unfortunate events such as drought, strong thunderstorms or diseases of plants, which would ruin the crops.
For avoid adversitypropitiatory bonfires that represent the sun are made and the water of San Giovanni is prepared to collect the dew, which symbolizes the moon. THE’Acqua di San Giovanni It would bring luck and prosperity thanks to the incredible flower power And it would be able to protect the crops, removing calamities.
How to prepare the water of San Giovanni
The water of San Giovanni It is prepared to exploit the strength and power of plants and flowers soaked in the dew of the gods.
In fact, it is believed that during the night of San Giovanni he falls the dew of the gods, capable of influencing plants and flowers giving them a particular strength: the summer solstice would be the door through which the gods make the new births pass, right in the form of dew.
Legend has it that this magical water bring luck, love and health, that it is capable of removing diseases and disasters and protecting crops. To prepare the San Giovanni water you need to Collect a mixed herbs and spontaneous flowers. In the choice of flowers and herbs there is no real rule. Generally you let yourself be inspired by your instinct by choosing from the species available.
With which flowers to make the water of San Giovanni
Traditionally, San Giovanni’s water is prepared using Spontaneous herbs and flowersconsidered beneficial for health and considered sacred in some cultures.
You can therefore collect hypericum, also known as St. John’s grass, the mauve that has healing and soothing properties, but also lavender flowers, known for their relaxing perfume. If desired you can also add aromatic herbs, such as rosemary and sage, and to give water a touch of color, insert some petal pink, some poppies but also the chamomile flowers, known for the calming properties.
Generally in this period the Hypericia flowers, lavender, artemisia and mauve and flowers and mint leaves, rosemary and sage. You can also find and collect i cornflowers, poppies, roses or chamomilebased on the blooms in their territory.
It is recommended to respect nature during herbal collectionnot to collect excessive quantities of specimens and not to eradicate plants at the root.
After sunset, The collected herbs must be put in the water And they leave themselves outside all night, so that they can absorb the morning dew. Herbs will collect dew and will acquire magical properties from it.
On the morning of June 24, the water of San Giovanni is used to wash hands and face, in a sort of propitiatory ritual and purification that will bring love, luck and health.
When does San Giovanni’s water come out?
To enhance his healing powers, San Giovanni’s water is traditionally left outdoors on the night of 23 to 24 June. This practice is based on the idea that the light of the moon and the subsequent dew enrich the beneficial properties of the water.
What a bowl to use to prepare the water of San Giovanni
To prepare the San Giovanni water, we recommend using a glass or ceramic bowl. It is preferable to avoid the use of metal or plastic materials, as they could affect the purity and properties of water.
The tutorial to prepare the San Giovanni water
Preparing San Giovanni’s water is very simple. You will need:
Below is the tutorial in which we show you how to do it in less than a minute
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How to keep the water of San Giovanni
This ritual handed down from generation to generation has resisted over time. According to ancient custom, to prepare water, a mixture of flowers such as hypericum, mauve and chamomile is used, together with aromatic herbs, which are left to soak in a bowl during the night to collect the “dew of the gods” and acquire magical properties.
The perfumed water obtained is then used the next morning to wash the face. But is it possible to keep it and use it even in the following days? The perfumed water obtained can be considered a real tonic for the skin. However, it is important not to leave it in the bowl or basin, but keep it in the refrigerator in one clean glass bottle for a maximum of three days.
How to use San Giovanni water
Since it is a cold maceration, the San Giovanni water has beneficial properties for the skin. For example, if it contains mallow flowers, it will have a soothing and emollient effect; If you have chosen aromatic plants, it will have an antiseptic action. It is essential to pay attention to the type of flowers and plants collected, since some could cause skin irritation, especially for those who have sensitive skin or suffer from allergies.
Some people even suggest to drink it or use it to prepare bread, but it is advisable to avoid this practice because, in most cases, flowers and collected plants are not washed and could be dirty with earth and dust. In case you have washed the plants, you can possibly use them, but make sure you have not collected toxic plant species.
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