St. John’s Eve
International House Hails Summer Solstice with Voudou Ceremony on the Holiest Day in the Voudou Religion- St. John’s Day
On the evening of Friday, June 22, 2007, the holiest day in New Orleans Voudou will be observed in the city, a city that has historically embraced and supported this religious practice that remains a colorful mystery to the rest of the country. For the ninth year in a row, International House, New Orleans' premier boutique hotel, will be celebrating St. John's Day with its usual flair at 6:30 pm on Friday, June 22.
The eve of the feast of St. John falls so close to the summer solstice that St. John became known as the Patron of Midsummer Night. He was endowed with all of the ancient pagan attributes associated with that astrologically potent event - bonfires to the old gods became rededicated to St. John; the herb hypericum, traditionally harvested at that time of year, came to be called St. John's Wort.
Marie Laveau, New Orleans' most famous Voudou Queen, was instrumental in combining Catholicism with the practice of Voudou. She held annual Voudou ceremonies to honor St. John on the banks of the city's legendary Bayou St. John. That tradition continues today with authentic moonlight rituals performed on the bayou near its Cabrini Bridge.
International House will hold a celebration of this most important holiday in the Voudou religion in the soaring space of its lobby. As many as 200 participants gather, wearing the customary white dress. The hotel will honor the cultural importance of Voudou by building a monumental altar to the two main "nations" of Voudou gods, or loa, on Monday, June 18th; it will remain through Sunday, the 24th. On Friday, June 22nd renowned Voudou priestess Sallie Ann Glassman will lead a traditional celebration, including drawing powerful symbols in cornmeal on the floor, and conducting a head-washing ceremony for all willing, recalling the traditional Voudou baptism performed on St. John's Eve at Bayou St. John. This ritual may well bring on significant dreams that evening, perhaps ones that foretell the future. All participants will receive candles decorated with a ritual ‘veve painting’ to light the soul’s way forward. An initiated ensemble of drummers, singers, and dancers dressed all in white with "tignon" scarves will enliven the festivities, and the celebration will teach visitors and locals alike about Voudou practices and principles.
International House’s exclusive cocktail, Laveau 347, will also be available for purchase, as St. John's Day involves reaching out to the spirit of Marie Laveau. This cocktail created in her honor indicates the number of her tomb in Cemetery #1. Laveau 347 is the perfect combination of champagne and pear, which both represent purity and affection.
Come shine your light at the celebration of the Feast of St. John at International House, the only hotel in New Orleans that reveals New Orleans through its local rituals and traditions.
