The «most sacred» dates could be those connected to a cyclical phenomenon of nature and that occupy a place, on the same day, within the calendars of various traditions. It is worth saying that this occurs on more than one occasion, for example around Catholic Holy Week (governed by a lunar calendar) or Christmas, linked to an astral conjunction. Both have pagan antecedents, but they also mark celebrations in other cultures, for example, Judaic or Islamic.
The night of San Juan is a holiday originally associated in Europe to the summer solstice and, therefore, to numerous rituals. Once the cross established control in that area, this celebration became Christianized and joined with the day of Saint John Baptist (remember that the solstice usually occurs on June 21).
In the case of pre-Hispanic Mexico, prior to the arrival of the Spanish, it was already celebrated on these dates a festival dedicated to Tláloc (god of rain among the Mexicas) and the complementary deities, or those equivalent among other Mesoamerican cultures (for example, Chaac among the Maya).
Rituals of the night of San Juan and June 24
pagan tradition
Within the ritual calendar of pagan groups, the night of San Juan had a priority place. Tonight the Sun was worshiped, who from the next day would begin his demise until arriving, 6 months later on the winter solstice, at the longest night of the year. That’s why bonfires are lit everywhere, in order to give strength to the sun in this process.
Also, during the day of San Juan it is customary to collect medicinal herbs, since a greater healing and protective power is attributed to the herbs collected on June 24.
With different variations on which species to put under your pillow tonight, it’s also common to keep either seven different flowers, a small piece of fern or mistletoe, or various other versions.
prehispanic tradition
To date, various traditions are recorded in Mexico during the night of San Juan and the following day. These include masses, prayers and dances, for example in San Juan Chamula, in Chiapas, but also offerings to the rain, to ask for its abundance and ward off the hail (originally, in pre-Hispanic times, they were tributed in many ways to Tlaloc and other rain deities); this was a way of asking nature to be generous in planting season. In this context, the rituals associated with water and rain, which may include collecting night dew or simply placing a candle next to a container of water, continue to this day.
Christianity
Saint John the Baptist is the only saint who is celebrated on the day of his birth (the rest are commemorated on their respective death anniversaries). During that day it is customary to submerge, as a baptism, a figure of the saint in a river. Special masses are also celebrated, as well as congregations to pray and carry out ceremonial songs. It is considered a particularly auspicious day to ask for (or thank) matters related to health, love and abundance.
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