SUMMER SOLSTICE (Midsummer, Litha) is the longest day
of the year. It is a time to celebrate vitality, creativity, vigor, health and
abundance. All over the world, people gather to honor and acknowledge this time
of Light and Energy and to connect with this Solar tide of abundance, health and
the beginnings of the fruits of their labors.
One of the customs
associated with the Summer Solstice is the blessing of animals: pets,
familiars, work animals and animals which will be slaughtered in the Fall for
Winter food. The blessing focuses on the animals’ health, growth, vitality and
fertility. You may want to bless and charge with energy your pets or familiar
to strengthen your bond with them at the Summer Solstice.
Now is also the
time when the herbs, both wild and cultivated, are reaching their greatest
potency. You will want to gather them before they begin to seed, so that you
may dry them to use in your rituals and in the medicines that you begin to make
in late summer and early Fall. Collect herbs for which you will use flowers
and leaves as the Moon waxes (gets larger); roots are gathered during the
Waning Moon. As you gather them, thank each one and cut it cleanly a few
inches above the ground for the herbs with which you will use the flowers and
leaves. For the roots that you gather, pull gently from the earth, collecting
only about a third of the plants so that they will grow abundantly again next
spring. Wash the herb or root thoroughly, gently shake it dry, then hang the
entire plant upside down so that the important oils and minerals will gather in
the leaves and flowers as they dry. Hang the roots root side down for the same
reason and let them swing freely so that they dry uniformly and do not molder.
After they are completely dried (about 7 days for leaves and flowers; 3 weeks
for roots) you can store them in paper bags on which you have written the name
of the herb or root, when it was collected and what your intended use is.
Roses are
particularly associated with the Summer Solstice and Midsummer’s Eve is
especially potent for love magicks. You may want to make a rose petal infusion
to add to wine (see infusion recipes below), or strew your bed with rose petals
before retiring to help you dream of your soul-mate.
Standing stones
and stone circles are also symbolic of the Summer Solstice. The dolmen, or
standing stone, reminds us of the virility of male energy and of the Sun which
in magick and psychology is representative of the male. Stone circles
symbolize the ever rolling Wheel of the Year and cycles of the Sun, the natural
laws of the universe and the womb of the Earth. If you can find one naturally
occurring, perform your Solstice celebrations within it, or leave food and herb
offerings within it for our wild-land sisters and brothers. You can also
create your own stone circle by placing 8 larger stones at each of the spokes
of the Wheel of the Year, equidistance apart, and filling in the spaces between
with smaller stones for a circle you can use year round.
Another custom at
the Summer Solstice is the practice of tossing wishes and offerings into wells
and springs. For a wish or offering of thanks, hold a special stone, feather
or sprig of herb in your hands as you focus and meditate on your desire. Pour
the desire or gratitude into the stone, feather or sprig and when you have
filled it, toss it with power and intention into the well or spring.
The Summer
Solstice is the time of the marriage of the Sun and the Moon, which is one of
the reasons that the month of June has become the traditional month of marriage
and union. One of the symbols for the power of the Sun is fire; for the Moon
is water. To enact their union you may choose to create a SunWheel out of
weavings of thin, dried branches or braided, dried herbs. You may then
(CAREFULLY) ignite your SunWheel and roll it a short distance into running
water or drop it carefully into a pool of water to unite the energies.
INFUSIONS,
PHILTRES and POTIONS
BE SURE TO USE
INGESTIBLE HERBS in anything you are going to take into your digestive system!
Consult an herbal such as The Herb Book by John Lust to make sure that your
selection of herb(s) is one that will be safe.
An infusion is the
distillation of the essence (energy, oils, minerals, vitamins) of a plant into
a liquid, usually water, but sometimes also fruit juice. Tea is an infusion,
for example. While many times one heats the liquid to make an infusion, during
the time of the Summer Solstice, it is appropriate and desired to use the heat
and energy of the Sun to draw out the properties of the herb(s) you are using
into the liquid. Using a clear jar or clear deep cup, fill the container ¾
full of liquid then pack it to the top with the dried or fresh herb(s). As you
are placing the herb(s) into the liquid, keep your mind focused on your
intention and place your intention into the jar with the herb(s). Begin at
noon or when the sun is the strongest and let the infusion sit out 24 hours.
Strain the liquid into another contain and stopper tightly. You can then use a
dropper full of your infusion to charge wine, a talisman, your self, a ritual
bath or whatever your imagination determines.
A Philtre is made
in the same way, only using alcohol as your liquid. You may want to use vodka
or brandy for the best taste later when you add some to your drink. A Potion
begins the same way, usually using water, but to this you can also add a
special stone. Just be sure not to swallow the stone if you drink your
potion.
Recommended Reading And Products For Midsummer & The Sabbats:
 MOON
MAGICK PRODUCTS: 100% natural magickal products made on the proper planetary
day and moon cycle by experienced alchemists. Go to the
SABBATS page
which includes Lammas Ritual Oil, Incense, Amulet or
Bath-Salts. |
 8
SABBATS STONE INLAY PENDANT:Sterling
silver, 1 inch diameter. Inlaid with 9 corresponding stones, including
quartz, carnelian, lapis, jade, citrine, garnet, coral,onyx and amethyst.
(Stones may vary slightly.) Highest quality. |
 MIDSUMMER:
Magical Celebrations of the Summer Solstice, by Anna Franklin, $14.95,
Read More... |
 SABBATS:A
Witch's Approach to Living in the Old Ways, by Edain McCoy, $17.95, Read More... |
 EIGHT
SABBATS FOR WITCHES: Dramatic Rituals for the Wheel of the Year, by Janet
and Stewart Farrar, $16.95, Read More... |
WHEEL OF THE YEAR: Living the Magical Life, by Pauline Campanelli, $12.95, Read
More... |
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BOOKS & GIFTS
