SUMMER SOLSTICE - Litha

 Merry Meet, friends!

I am so pumped for today. While our solstice is to be wet & stormy, I am celebrating tonight - ahead of the change. Does the timing matter? I don't think so. Everything we do in our practice is about intention. 

While the Summer Solstice must be amazing to experience at Stonehenge, we can bring the magical elements into our lives here at home. With the Sun entering Cancer, this is a time to celebrate GROWTH and ABUNDANCE. Did you know that it is believed that the term 'LITHA' came from Tolkein?

Like many of the winged creatures, bees are a critical element of the season. Like the bees, summer is a time when we ramp up our energies to nurturing our gardens as well as any herbs we might want to include in tinctures, and spells for later use. Things are coming into their peak, using their energy to carry us to the fall when harvest begins in earnest.

In Lincolnshire UK the bee is associated with witchcraft. It's believed that a Witch once had a bee as her familiar and a pet. (Emma Kathryn - The Witch's Datebook 2026). it's also believed that bees carry messages between the worlds so if you see one in your garden and would like to send a message, ask if he would be willing to do so. If he sits still, as if listening, whisper your message then watch him fly away. This would be a great time to either make sure your garden is full of florals for them to pollinate. If you don't have your own hives, check in your area for a beekeeper or ask around at a local farmer's market to source your raw honey. 

Speaking of winged creatures, create an inviting place for the fairies. Include them in your Solstice Ritual, inviting them to live amongst your garden. Keep in mind, a 'garden' doesn't have to be a large, expansive area. A collection of potted plants, window boxes, etc. will still make them happy when kept.

AMAZON

Food is the best part of any celebration. I plan to make sugar cookies with icing to form the sun. I also found a Sangria recipe in the Seasons of Witchery by Ellen Dugan that sounds tasty. Since I'll be staying up late, I might forgo the usual Zquil for a bit of peach schnapps in the Sangria.

Fire is an important element to the Summer Solstice. If you can have a fire ring, or use of a chiminea then you're all set. But what if a real 'fire' isn't an option. Use a cast iron cauldron or a dutch oven and use OUTSIDE. Place three yellow candles inside the vessel and light them.  If your beliefs follow a particular path, you can burn an oak leaf in honor of the Oak GodYou can also use Sparklers (PLEASE use safely. This article from American Pyrotechnics have tips)

One thing I'll be doing tonight is making a dark Chamomile tea to dye papers for my BOS. I think they'll add a little something extra to my BOS. (If they turn out, I'll post pictures at some point. 

However you choose to celebrate this special time, please be safe.

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

TOOLS FOR WITCHES SERIES - Herbs/ Plants/ Garden

 Merry Meet, friends. Happy Tuesday!

Another essential tool in any witch's cabinet are the herbs. Plants on a window sill or an entire garden, Their medicinal properties as well as their connection to the elements are important in our practice.

Courtesy of Cristina Ferringno - Pixabay

I want a real witch's garden at some point. I intend to make it happen next spring after I revamp the garden this fall. I have three books on my shelf that have been there for years. Two of my favorites are by Kate West. The Real Witches' Garden and The Real Witches' Kitchen. I'll link everything down below with both Llwellyn and Amazon links where available. The other is Garden Witchery by Ellen Dugan (Book 1 in a series).That one also includes a gardening journal. I'd probably photocopy those and put in my garden planner. I'm not a fan of writing in the actual books. I think it would have been nice if she'd printed a gardening journal companion. I did notice she has an entire series dedicated to Garden Witchery so be sure to check out her page on Amazon.

One of the best things, for me, is the patience required to nurture plants and put my own energy into the plants. Whether I intend them for spells or for cooking, I like knowing where the plant came from and that the energy I've infused into its growth will further empower the use. 

You'll often find fresh herb plants at a local farmer's market or even in a big box store. For dried herbs, there are several options both in the big box store, natural food stores and on-line. When shopping on-line, please pay attention to any reviews. Sometimes, at the very bottom of the website home page, you can see how long they've been in business. Also try Etsy or Ebay and look at the reviews. Just type 'dried herbs' in the search bar of any of those last two for a plethora of options. My only concern with purchased dried as opposed to growing my own I'm not always sure how 'fresh' the ingredients are. That said, I do understand that we may not always have the ability to grow our own. 

Keep in mind... your herb garden can be as small as a few pots on your window sill, pots on the deck, or table in front of a sunny window. You don't need a large plot of ground to have an herb garden.

I plan to do an entire series on the individual herbs so stay tuned. I just wanted to get you thinking. If you have herbs you keep on hand, please leave them in the comments below and I'll be sure to include them in the Gardening series this fall.

Here are those promised links:

Ellen Dugan Amazon Page - LINK  (Note: she also writes witchy fiction!)

Garden Witchery by Ellen Dugan - LINK  - Llewellyn Link        

Kate West Amazon Page - LINK

The Real Witches' Kitchen - LINK 

The Real Witches' Garden - LINK 

Blessed Be!

~ Rain