Acqua di San Giovanni: An Italian Folk Ritual of Saint John the Baptist for Protection and Blessing

High Priestess Chelsea’s Acqua di San Giovanni 2025

Each year on the eve of June 24th, something sacred stirs in the air of the summer solstice for Italians and Italian Americans. Known as Acqua di San Giovanni, the Water of Saint John, this ancient midsummer ritual blends Catholic devotion and folk magic into one powerful act of purification and blessing. It is said that, the water that I’m teaching you to create in this post, is blessed by Saint John the Baptist himself and can provide healing, luck, protection as we enter into the turn of the seasons.

Whether you grew up with this tradition or are just now returning to your roots, Aqua di San Giovanni invites us to reconnect with nature, our ancestors, and the spiritual rhythm of the seasons. Remember, season and saints feast days are what we need to keep track for our folk traditions and superstitions as these days and change of the seasons are the most powerful. Timing is everything! This water can ONLY be made on June 23rd and is finished on June 24th - Saint John the Baptist’s Feast Day.

 

Saint John the Baptist, a 1540 painting by Titian

Who Is Saint John the Baptist?

In Catholic tradition, Saint John the Baptist is the fiery desert prophet who baptized Jesus in the Jordan River and called for repentance and renewal. But in Southern Italian folk belief, Saint John is more than just a biblical figure he is a protector and healer.

His feast day, June 24th, doesn’t just mark his birth. It also aligns with midsummer, a powerful moment in the folk calendar when nature is at its peak and spiritual energy is high.

The death of Saint John the Baptist is most important in understanding this sacred water.

Saint John the Baptist was beheaded by order of King Herod Antipas, at the request of Salome, Herod’s stepdaughter. According to the Gospels, Salome danced for Herod at a banquet, and in return, she requested John's head, prompted by her mother, Herodias, who held a grudge against the prophet. His martyrdom became a powerful symbol of truth, sacrifice, and spiritual authority.

In our Italian folk tradition we believe that the water represents the tears of those that have mourned Saint John the Baptist and his violent death.

Despite his violent death, Saint John’s legacy lives on in rituals like Aqua di San Giovanni, where the themes of healing, protection, luck and rebirth are celebrated under the summer moon.

 

Aqua di San Giovanni from my Italian Folk Store, Luca Divina

🌿 What Is Acqua di San Giovanni?

Acqua di San Giovanni is a sacred water made from fresh herbs and flowers gathered on the night of June 23rd and left to steep in water under the moonlight and stars. Saint John the Baptist stops by the homes of those that leave their Acqua di San Giovanni outside and blesses each one adding in healing, purification, protectin, luck and renewal to honor the change of seasons. By morning, the dew and the blessing of Saint John, make this water powerful tool for:

  • Warding off the malocchio (evil eye)

  • Bringing good health and luck

  • Cleansing the body, spirit, and home

  • Honoring the ancestors and saints

The Recipe for Acqua di San Giovanni

Herbs and flowers need to be gathered during the sunset on June 23rd. While herbs vary by region and availability, common plants used in Acqua di San Giovanni include:

  • Rosemary – for protection and purification

  • Rue (Ruta) – to banish negativity and illness

  • St. John’s Wort – named after the saint, used for its healing and sun-charged energy

  • Lavender – to bring peace and spiritual clarity

  • Sage, mint, wildflowers, and olive branches – all tied to local tradition and symbolic meaning

Gather the herbs with intention and gratitude, speaking prayers as you go. After you gather your herbs and flower, you will want to submerge everything in clean water (I prefer distilled). You’ll then leave your mixture outside overnight to receive the blessing of the Saint.

How to Use the Blessed Water

After the water is blessed and made you then are going to want to bless yourself, your family (even babies!), your home and pets with this water.

Here’s how:

  • Dab the water behind your ears and make the sign of the cross on your forehead

  • Submerge yourself in a spiritual bath

  • Use some of the water as a floor wash

  • Wash down doorways

  • Soak children in this spiritual bath (of course always be aware of allergies!)

I personally love to do all of the above and take a few days to clean my space, myself and my doorways to honor the change of seasons and most importantly, Saint John the Baptist.

💧 Don’t Have Time to Make Your Own? Receive a Blessed Batch from My Folk Practice

If you missed the eve of Saint John or weren’t able to make your own Acqua di San Giovanni, I’ve prepared a limited batch through my own Italian folk practice.

Each jar is ritually made with sacred herbs, gathered with intention, and blessed under the midsummer moon in the traditional way. These waters carry the energy of the solstice and Saint John’s powerful protection, offering luck, health, spiritual cleansing, and renewal as the seasons shift.

🌿 Perfect for:

  • Anointing yourself and family members

  • Spiritual baths and seasonal blessings

  • Home protection and ritual cleansings

  • Honoring Saint John

You can find my Acqua di San Giovanni now in my Etsy folk shop, Luca Divina:
👉 Order yours here

🎥 Watch: Acqua di San Giovanni on YouTube

Want to see this tradition come to life?

In my newest YouTube video, I walk you through the history, ritual, and spiritual meaning behind Acqua di San Giovanni and how you can make it too!

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