Summer Solstice 2024
St John’s Wort
We Brits are renowned for our weather discussions. We talk to total strangers at length on the subject in shop queues on trains and buses and during the initial preamble in business transactions. It is also our starting point for most social activities. It may seem strange to those of you who have fairly consistent weather, but here in the UK, we can go through all four seasons in one day, and temperature can shift in double figures in a week. It’s no wonder it is a national obsession. As the global climate becomes increasingly destabilised, it is becoming a discussion worth having for all of us on this planet.
As you may have noticed from my musings, the weather here has been particularly rainy this year. We have had the wettest 18 months in the UK since records began in 1836. The plant life in my garden is flourishing in the damp weather, a stark contrast to the last few years when extreme heat was the norm and everything dried out in early spring. Flowers that would have withered away are still in full bloom, a testament to the resilience of nature and the adaptability of plant life to changing weather conditions.
This year, festival charts, past and present, have been closely tied to astrological patterns. It may be a coincidence, but as we know, astrological symbolism can show itself in many ways. May this Solstice, no matter what your external or internal weather, be filled with blessings. – Saffron
St John’s Wort
Traditionally, this is the time when the Holly King begins to dominate as the dark slowly takes over from the light. (See last year's Summer Solstice post for information on the Holly King.)
But another plant associated with this festival is the bright yellow flowered herb of St John’s Wort, Hypericum perforatum. The yellow blooms of the flowers reflect the Sun's brilliance on a clear sunny day, a gentle reminder that behind the clouds, the Sun is always there, radiating its beneficial heat.
Given its common name from St John’s Day on the 24th of June, this plant as an herbal remedy was said to lift one's spirits and lighten a darkened state. However, it's important to note that this plant does have some contraindications, mainly hypersensitivity to the Sun! For your safety, please do not take this herb without consulting your doctor or trained herbalist.
Plant Mysteries, Rituals, and Superstition
Along with many medicinal usages (wort being the Anglo-Saxon word for medicine), St John’s Wort is also connected to Christianity, where the red pigment that comes from the flowers is said to represent the blood of St John after his beheading.
With a scent similar to incense, the herb was used to burn in purification rites and was hung over doorways to protect the occupants from evil spirits and demons. It was also used over the doorways of cattle sheds and stables, though this herb can be toxic to livestock in large dosages if ingested.
There are many ancient superstitions regarding this herb. Its name, Hypericum, is derived from the Greek and means 'over an apparition,' a reference to the belief that the herb was so obnoxious to evil spirits that a whiff of it would cause them to fly.” - Mrs. M. Grieves, A Modern Herbal
A folk story from the Isle of Wight in the British Isles warns caution when taking your evening perambulation, as you may be whisked off to the realm of the fairies.
Should you be tramping about the fields Of the Isle Of Wight, however, you must beware Of trampling on this herb, for if you do, a fairy horse will rise from its root squarely under you so that you shall find yourself mounted for a ride. All through the night the steed will carry you, uphill, down dale, and just at dawn will sink into the earth, wherever he happens to be, leaving you with the prospect of a weary walk to breakfast.” -C.M. Skinner, The Myths and Legends of Flowers, Trees, Fruit and Plants.
The Astrology / 20th June, 9.51 BST
With Capricorn rising and Saturn slowing down to a standstill to prepare for His retrograde station on the 30th of June, it feels like we are in a holding pattern for this Summer Solstice. Rather than light clothing, sandals, and ice cream, we are wrapped up in garb more suitable to the Winter Solstice, Capricorn’s domain.
Saturn in Pisces, residing in the 3rd House in the UK, brings us back to local affairs and talking about the weather… again! But wherever you are in the world, do have a look at where Pisces sits and what topics the sign connects to.
The Moon, our Lady host of all the planets in Cancer, is waning in the background in the 12th House in Sagittarius, quietly squaring Saturn. The focus of our outer attention may be falsely applied. Let us consider accessing our inner wisdom and expanding our understanding of the light/dark dualities in life.
Themes of paradox are amplified by the opposition to Jupiter, the Moon’s host, fussing in Gemini about millions of little considerations before landing on big-picture visions. Jupiter in Gemini is impatient with those details, but in the 6th House, there is nothing to be done but put one’s nose to the grindstone and get to work.
Cancer, as the opposition to Capricorn, holds our Sun, Venus, and Mercury in the 7th House. It may not feel like we have access to the summer’s peak Sun, even though Venus and Mercury are in the heat of their combustion. On the bright side, Venus possesses dignity through Bound and Face, perhaps indicating that our closest connections can provide the warmth we need when we share from the heart.
So many of our planets are struggling to gain agency this Solstice, which could be a theme until our next festival at Lughnasadh. Mars adds to the list exiled in Taurus, though in a partile trine to the Ascendant degree. The connection to its exalted home may help the energy flow when we need that boost to get work done. It is hard to have energy and focus when lacking motivation, though Mars may just have enough zing to slowly push us through. Let us hope so!
Though we may feel a sense of frustration or disappointment, it is always worth remembering that nothing stays still; we are always on the move, even if it seems we are walking through molasses. Once we reach Lughnasdh, the warm winds of Gemini Rising will be in the air, so we can look forward to the middle of the summer and have hope for a brighter future. Remember, the Sun always offers a silver lining to every cloud!
LINK TO TAROT
Saffron Dennis is an astrologer, crystal therapist, horticulturalist and tarot reader based in the East Anglia region of the UK. You can book her for a reading or as a speaker at your local or online event at divinebaytree.com
Bright warm sunshine here today!! Just to prove me wrong ;-)
Enjoying the sunshine here too, who could have known! I have St John Wort in my garden, and I love that it flowered in the last few days, ready for the Solstice.