St. John's Wort Meaning and magickal uses
Also called Hypericum, Herb of St. John, Witch's Herb
A golden Midsummer flower for protection, courage and driving away gloom.
- Intentions
- Protection, Banishing, Confidence
- Element
- Fire
- Planet
- The Sun
- Zodiac
- Leo
- Day
- Sunday
- Moon phase
- Full Moon
- Parts used
- Flowering tops
How to use it
- Midsummer protection
Gather St. John's wort at Litha and hang a small bundle over your door or window. Ask that it guard your home and keep away harmful energy through the year.
- Courage pouch
Carry a few dried flowers in a yellow or gold pouch when you need extra courage. Hold it and picture warm sunlight filling you from head to toe.
- Banishing gloom
Place dried flowers in a bowl on your altar beside a yellow candle during the darker months. As the candle burns, invite light and cheer into heavy days.
Works well with
History and folklore
St. John's wort blooms around Midsummer and the feast of St. John the Baptist on June 24, which gave it its name. Its yellow petals leave a red stain when crushed, which folklore linked to the saint's blood. In European tradition it was gathered on Midsummer Eve and hung over doors and windows to keep away evil spirits, storms and fire. Modern witches still use it for protection, courage, banishing and bringing sunny energy into darker times.
A golden Midsummer flower for protection, courage and driving away gloom.
- Intentions: Protection, Banishing, Confidence
- Element: Fire
- Planet: The Sun
- Zodiac: Leo
- Day: Sunday
- Moon phase: Full Moon
- Parts used: Flowering tops
Safety: A photosensitizer: it can make skin react badly to sunlight. Listed by the ASPCA as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Avoid while pregnant or breastfeeding. It interacts with many medicines, including birth control and antidepressants; do not take it internally without talking to a doctor.
How to use it
- Midsummer protection. Gather St. John's wort at Litha and hang a small bundle over your door or window. Ask that it guard your home and keep away harmful energy through the year.
- Courage pouch. Carry a few dried flowers in a yellow or gold pouch when you need extra courage. Hold it and picture warm sunlight filling you from head to toe.
- Banishing gloom. Place dried flowers in a bowl on your altar beside a yellow candle during the darker months. As the candle burns, invite light and cheer into heavy days.
Works well with: Yellow Candle, Gold Candle, Sunstone, Sunday, Litha, The Sun
Folklore
St. John's wort blooms around Midsummer and the feast of St. John the Baptist on June 24, which gave it its name. Its yellow petals leave a red stain when crushed, which folklore linked to the saint's blood. In European tradition it was gathered on Midsummer Eve and hung over doors and windows to keep away evil spirits, storms and fire. Modern witches still use it for protection, courage, banishing and bringing sunny energy into darker times.
The Witch's Cabinet is a free reference for your practice. Correspondences are traditional associations, not medical advice. Always follow the safety notes, especially with herbs and essential oils around children, pets and during pregnancy.