St. John's Wart (Hypericum perforatum)

June 24th is also known as St. John's Day and Midsummer. The bushy shrub is named after St. John because on the celebration of this special day, these yellow flowers are in bloom. 

 When I began to read about the plant St. John's Wort I discovered many interesting facts about the plant and it's European lore.

 It is believed that if a sprig of this herb is placed under a pillow on St. John's Eve, it would bring on dreams, visions and blessings by St. John. 

This plant is also known as "the leaf of the blessed", it offers beautiful deep yellow flowers. There is a lore that if the flowers are collected on the Solstice, they are then twice as powerful and may make you irresistible to others. Dew collected on the morning of this special day was thought to have magical powers.
St. John's Wort is used in external remedies along with Calendula for reducing inflammation.
This shrub has associations with the astrological sign of the sun and it's element is fire.
I had the good fortune of taking this picture of the flower with a visitor.