Herbs and Flowers in Religious Celebrations in 19th-Century and Contemporary Poland

Abstract (English)

Herbs and flowers have been gathered and used for magical and medicinal practices in the Slavic world since the earliest known accounts. These practices continued to be celebrated in the Christian world, albeit in a more veiled form. In this context, I would like to draw attention to three key dates: Corpus Christi (a movable feast in June), St. John’s Eve (June 23), and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15).
All these celebrations in the 19th century bore traces of deep-rooted pagan beliefs. Herbs and flowers were collected by witches, wise women (who had knowledge of healing), and housewives—essentially, by everyone and for everyone, from infants to the deceased. The herbs gathered at that time were believed to protect against hail, fires caused by lightning strikes, as well as toothaches and throat ailments. These plants were also thought to ward off evil forces; they were often hung in windows where newborns slept to protect them from witches.
St. John’s Eve was particularly significant for countering the actions of dark forces, which were understood here through the presence of witches, who were believed to revel almost openly with the devil on that night. It was commonly believed that witches cast spells more frequently during this time, and the consecrated herbs and flowers served as protection against their magic and curses. This celebration was also widely known for divinations, especially those predicting marriage prospects for young women.
What remains of these 19th-century customs today? Is there a chance that herbs, with all their natural benefits, could return to medical practices instead of being officially prohibited in treatments? In recent years, I have participated in processions and ceremonies associated with these three feasts multiple times. In northern Poland, I also conducted field research, interviewing residents to gather their perspectives—based on their observations and experiences—on the role of herbs in contemporary religious celebrations and magical-healing practices.