Hypericum perforatum

Here is a plant richly steeped in lore AND practical medicine. Even the etymology of its name is full of tradition and celestial serendipity. Called the Wort of St. John, likely because of its blooming on the Summer Solstice corresponds with the Feast of St. John the Baptist on June 24th. This plants strong association with the sun is apparent in its soliform. Petite yellow petals splayed from the center and a halo-like spray of stamens are rich with solar and heavenly symbolism. This plant does not flower in its first season

I adore its soft blue-green shading. Another cool hint is that when you bruise the leaves of a mature plant with your fingers, it will stain them red. 

Next year I will make an infused oil (which is wonderfully red) of the aerial parts, this was a common medicinal (and sometimes magical) remedy. German American, Christopher Sauer, notes the remedy for burns: “wheat flour, silver earth, and white lead, three loths each of rose oil and St. John’s oil, and one loth of beeswax. Melt the wax and oils over a gently charcoal heat. When it is cool, add the other ingredients finely ground. Stir well together, and thus you will have a valuable salve.” 

Here’s a little poetry to part with:

St Johns wort doth charm all the witches away.

If gathered at midnight on the Saints holy day.

And devils and witches have no power to harm

Those that do gather the plant for a charm.

Rub the lintels and post with that red juicy flower

No thunder nor tempest will then have the power.

I have sought the source of this poem to no avail. The most I found is “Old English poem, 14th C.” And below is a beautiful lithograph.

To hurt or to hinder your houses; and bind Round your neck a charm of similar kind St. John’s Wort

From A Floral Fantasy in an Old English Garden Walter Crane (1845 – 1915)

Lithograph 1899