The night between June 23rd and 24th is a magical one. It is the St. John's night, during which the miraculous water of San Giovanni is prepared, a sort of “potion” capable of having healing and beneficial properties.
Not only.
St. John's water is said to be capable of bringing not only health, but also luck, love, and prosperity.
It's super easy to make, so why not give it a try?
What is St. John's water?
St. John's water is a water in which—on the night between June 23rd and 24th— flowers and wild herbs are placed . Left out in the open all night so that it is moistened by dew, this water is then used on the morning of June 24th to wash the face, eyes, and body.
This belief is deeply rooted in Calabria and Tuscany, but has now spread to many other regions of Italy. In other parts of Europe, Saint John's Day is also celebrated with this ritual, on June 24th.
How is it prepared?
Preparing St. John's water is very easy.
It is necessary to collect a mix of flowers and wild herbs, strictly on June 23rd after sunset, then place them in a jug or bowl of water and leave it outside overnight. This will allow the dew to work its magic, bathing this special water with its energy.
Which flowers should we choose for our “potion”?
There's no precise guideline on the types of plants and flowers you should pick. We suggest letting your instincts and the power of nature guide you. Depending on the season, however, you'll likely find yourself picking: St. John's wort, mallow, rose, mint, lavender, mugwort, sage, rosemary, poppy, daisy, and elderberry.
Obviously, here at Tenuta del Cigno, the essential touch is our beloved Lavender of Modena®!
Adding our flowers will give the water an enveloping and relaxing scent, perfect for starting your June 24th day with a special energy.
The ancient origins and love for our crops
Although a Christian holiday, the feast of St. John has its roots in an ancient pagan celebration called Lithia , which was always celebrated on the same day, June 24th, with propitiatory rites and the lighting of bonfires. The festival served to safeguard the crops: it is during this time of year that nature reaches its maximum splendor, but also the most violent weather events such as hail and drought occur.
A propitiatory rite was thus necessary to repair the crops.
It's a feeling we understand well. We too, as we stroll through our vineyards on these early summer nights, gaze at the sky, hoping that our Lambrusco di Modena, Trebbiano di Spagna, and Trebbiano di Modena grapes will grow healthy and lush, giving us our precious cooked must and the excellent Lambrusco you love so much.
In addition to protecting the fields, there is also a legend that tells that, during the night between June 23rd and 24th, the gods made newborns pass away in the form of dew.
Do you want to prepare yourself for this enchanted night?
We look forward to seeing you at Tenuta del Cigno!
You can stroll among our flowering rows and purchase our Lavanda di Modena® to enrich your Acqua di San Giovanni.