The weather has been so beautiful it is hard to believe we have passed the summer solstice and St John’s Day (June 23-24 ). This time of year marks fullness in every sense of the word. The crops are growing and gardeners are fighting a losing battle with weeds, as well as nurturing fruit and vegetables to maturity. We seem to have forgotten that traditional Irish and European midsummer traditions offer genuine health benefits – supporting physical wellbeing, mental balance, community connection, and seasonal adaptation.
In Ireland, St John’s Eve is celebrated as Bonfire Night, when communities gather at sunset to light bonfires on hilltops and crossroads. The fire creates a public space for singing, dancing, storytelling, and shared meals. This is not merely folklore; it is a form of social medicine and I am sorry to say I did not see any in my area this year, which is also understandable with the rush to get grass cut and saved for the year. It may also be the case that the community bonfire has moved to its modern iteration of the BBQ.
But why are community bonfires beneficial for health? Firstly, regular social connection reduces stress, lowers risks of depression and anxiety, and strengthens immune function. The bonfire night brings together children, elders, couples, and neighbours, creating a sense of belonging that buffers against isolation.
The traditional community bonfire involved the youth jumping through flames to show their prowess but this probably best not done today. However, the tradition of carrying some of the embers home to light the fire in one’s own home illustrates the how each household depends on community to survive
Pilgrimage is also associated with St john’s Day. There are many holy wells called after St John and it is customary to visit them at this time. The one at Mushera near Millstreet is famous for healing warts and the one near Carrigaline for headaches and eye ailments. Midsummer also sees guided walking pilgrim journeys along Ireland’s passported pilgrim paths, including routes to Mount Brandon and Glendalough, as well as Gougane Barra.
Going on a pilgrimage has the advantage of combining gentle physical exercise, rhythmic movement, and purposeful intention. Walking improves our cardiovascular health, as well as strengthening muscles, and supporting joint mobility. We can also see the ‘deiseal’ (sunwise) rounds around wells as adding a gentle rotational movement that engages balance and coordination, as well as reminding us of the natural movement of the sun on its daily round.
A pilgrimage also fosters attention, as it has a purpose. It is not mindless but is undertaken with a purpose. Walking, thoughtfully, is a form of meditation and the reflective attitude that lowers cortisol, improves mood, and reduces excess worry.
Midsummer is the peak flowering time for many aromatic herbs: vervain, yarrow, mugwort, chamomile, elderflower, lavender, rosemary, thyme, sage, and marjoram. Traditional belief holds that herbs gathered on St John’s Eve carry special potency. Modern phytochemistry supports this timing: many plants are richest in volatile oils, flavonoids, and antioxidants when in full bloom. This is the best time of year to pick lemon balm, its lemony flavour making a lovely refreshing tea
The benefits of these different herbs are varied: Vervain and chamomile are calming, reducing tension and supporting sleep. Yarrow and mugwort have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Elderflower and lavender soothe skin and reduce stress. Rosemary, thyme, sage, and marjoram are rich in antioxidants and support digestion and cognitive function.
Making teas, syrups, infusions, or drying bundles at midsummer provides a seasonal ‘materia medica’ that carries through the year. Eating midsummer foods – bread, milk dishes, berries, salads, and herbs –adds vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals that support immunity and cellular health.
Gathering herbs outdoors is also beneficial, as it engages the senses. Aromatic plants release volatile compounds that can calm the nervous system, improve mood, and support respiratory function. The act of identifying, touching, and smelling plants also promotes embodied learning and mindfulness, which reduce stress and improve attention.
Midsummer sits opposite midwinter in the annual cycle. It follows the spring surge of Bealtaine and anticipates the harvest emphasis of Lughnasa. It represents fullness, flowering, blessing, and the beginning of the turn to shorter and darker days. Being aware of this annual cycle helps one to adapt to seasonal changes. Noticing when light peaks, when plants flower, and when the year begins to lean back toward darkness creates a sense of continuity and meaning. This can reduce the disorientation that can come from modern life’s constant, artificial schedules. Being aware of the seasons flows naturally into awareness of the circadian rhythm and helps regulate it.
Midsummer teaches us to appreciate fullness and gratitude for the earth’s bounty. It also reminds us, like the Yin Yang symbol that, in the fullness of light, there is the seed of darkness and that the wheel will turn.
