*Ø* Blogmanac | June 23 | Midsummer's Eve

St John the Baptist’s Eve, how clear and bright
Sinks the broad sun upon the waveless sea!
From Barton Wilford, St John’s Eve

Marriage prognostication
In Britain, it was the custom on St John’s Eve for an unmarried woman who was fasting to lay out a cloth at midnight with bread and cheese, and sit down as if to eat, leaving open the door to the street. Along would come the man she was eventually to marry; he would enter the room and salute her with a bow, then leave - or, so it is said.

Johnsmas fires should be lit at the moment the sun sets.
Traditional English practice

Gather ye herbs
It was customary in Britain and Europe on this night, St John’s Eve, to gather certain herbs, such as St John’s wort, vervain, trefoil and rue, all of which were believed to have magical properties. St John’s wort (hypericum) does, in fact, have scientifically proven anti-depressant qualities. Studies

If it rains on midsummer-eve, the filberts will be spoiled.
Traditional English proverb