SUMMER SOLSTICE
June is an enchanted time. The crops are planted and growing; the new livestock have been born and are maturing. It is a time of leisure. The tribes historically would gather to have reunions, feasting, handfastings, and all manner of celebrations. I would like to share more information with you about Midsummer and some ideas for your holiday, fun and feasting.
The pagan sabbat of Litha or Midsummer takes place on the day of the Summer Solstice. It occurs between June 20 and 22nd as a general rule. It is the day that the sun is at the highest point it will be in the sky until the following June, resulting in the longest day of the year and the shortest night. Stonehenge and other Neolithic standing stones dating back to 1500 BCE orient to the Summer Solstice sunrise.
Worshiping the Sun God
The Sun is representative of the God in pagan religions, and he is celebrated on the day of the Sun God’s highest zenith in the sky. It is the most important day of the year for making powerful magic. It was traditional to remain awake throughout Midsummer Eve to greet the morning sun as it arose on Midsummer day.
Greatest Fire Festival
Midsummer is the greatest of the fire festivals, the others being Beltane and Samhain/Halloween. The celebration includes a huge bonfire. Things no longer deemed useful, including the sun wheel from the prior year and herbs gathered the preceding year, are placed in the flames. The fire represents protection, purification, and transformation. Partygoers can seek purification and protection by dancing in circles around the fire. This dancing is greatly enhanced if accompanied by drumming. If your property cannot accommodate a large bonfire, you can use a patio fire pit instead.
Honoring the Bees
The bee is a fortuitous totem. Not only do the bees pollinate the plants, but they produce honey for making mead—a popular and traditional alcoholic beverage served on Midsummer. Today you can purchase mead at your local liquor store.
It is customary to visit the hive and share with the bees the family news of the past year, which they carry to those on the “other side”.
Plant heather and lemon balm to attract your bees. They are particularly fond of these plants. Be sure and plant your lemon balm somewhere with plenty of room. It spreads by runners and can be invasive.
Gathering Herbs
During the day on Midsummer is the time for you to seek out all the herbs, culinary, and magical you will be using in the coming year. I would encourage you to grow an herb garden. The plants are easy to grow, and I find them immensely rewarding.
To dry my herbs, I bundle them with a rubber band. I use a paper clip placed through the rubber band and hang them upside down from a folding laundry rack. I put mine in the garage, and they dry beautifully, but I don’t live in a humid climate. An attic or dehumidified basement might be a better choice for you.
While you are harvesting your herbs, keep your eyes open for other useful botanicals. St. John’s Wort is an emblem of the sun and protects against all manner of evil. Gather pinecones as amulets of protection and fertility. Horse chestnuts you can use as a protective amulet. Acorns are also protective. They come from the great oak tree, which was sacred to the Druids.
While you are out in your gardens, this is also an excellent time to plant your pumpkins and winter squash.
A toad in your garden is considered a special favor. Try to attract one with a shallow dish of water.
Divination
Since Midsummer is a significant day for magic, divination is very popular. It is one of the magical days that make divination easier. The Celts, Norse, and Slavs all considered Midsummer to be one of the three spirit nights. The other spirit nights are Beltane and Samhain. Tarot cards, runes, scrying, palm reading, psychometry, and more methods of divination are practiced.
Midsummer is also a time for a prophetic dream. A dream pillow can enhance your chance of experiencing such a dream. They are easy to make, and you can make your own. Take a 4 X 8 piece of cloth or felt and fold it in half. Sew up two of the sides. Place your herbs inside. Good herb choices for a dream pillow are mugwort, laurel leaf, rosemary, sage, and lavender. Turn under the edges of the open end of your dream pillow and sew shut. Place the dream pillow inside your pillowcase on your bed.
The Fairies
The fairies are still about and even more active at this time. Midsummer is an ideal time for powerful fairy magic for prosperity, health, and abundance. Inhale the scent of lavender to assist you in seeing the fairies. Make sure to maintain your gardens with bees and blossoms. Fairies are very attracted to strongly scented flowers and foxglove. Be sure and leave an offering for the fairies such as a cookie.
Crystal Cleansing
Cleansing and recharging your crystals on Midsummer is essential. Clean your crystals and tools with salt, and place them underwater to rinse. Rinsing your tools under running water in a stream or outdoor feature would be ideal. Leave your tools and crystals in the sun for the entire day, and they will be cleansed and purified. You can also leave them outside on a full moon to cleanse them.
Handfastings
Handfastings are a pagan wedding for a year and a day, or however long the love may last. They can also be presided over by an official for a legal marriage.
June is a lucky month for a handfasting. The white gown is a representation of the Goddess. The ring finger, the third finger of the left hand, was believed to carry an artery that ran directly to the heart.
The bride can carry a bundle of white heather tied with a pink ribbon for luck. Rosemary is ruled by the sun and the element of fire. It is used for protection and to dispel negativity. When rosemary is used as a wedding herb it symbolizes love, friendship, remembrance, and fidelity.
Guests can carry sprigs of rosemary tied with a red ribbon as a lucky charm. The bride can carry a garland of rosemary.
During the ceremony, the couple’s wrists are tied together with twine to represent the bond they are forming. As a final act, the couple jump over a broom laid on the ground.
Flowers and Herbs Sacred to Midsummer
- Sunflower– strength and courage, culinary seeds
- Dill– protection (hanging bunches of heads in the house), cleansing, and culinary use.
- Fennel– incense, protection (hangover your doors), culinary
- Chamomile-tea, incense, healing, protection, sleep pillows, prosperity
- Heather-sacred to the Goddess
- Lavender– incense, purification, healing, and culinary
- Marigold-consecrating tools, healing, and protective garlands hung over doorways
- Yarrow-sacred to God, healing, incense, and divination
Evoke good fortune by gathering a combination of herbs and flowers sacred to Midsummer as incense and place in the bonfire.
The Sun Wheel
It is effortless to make your sun wheel for protection. I hang mine over the front door.
You will need a grapevine wreath, two sticks that are two inches longer than the diameter of your wreath size, florist wire, golden, yellow, and orange ribbons, and an assortment of flowers and herbs which are sacred to Midsummer.
Begin by using the florist wire to secure an equilateral cross with your two sticks so that each section of your cross is even. Secure your cross with florist wire onto the back of your grapevine wreath. Each part of the cross represents a solstice or equinox. The circle of the grapevine represents the sun.
Decorate your wreath with fresh or silk flowers sacred to Midsummer, securing with florist wire. The final step is to attach your ribbons to the bottom of the wreath, so they hang freely.
Lavender Wands
Lavender wands(instructions) are charming and fun to make. They are lovely, displayed, or used as sachets. The scent is like heaven and lasts for years. I have often given them as gifts. They especially make a beautiful hostess gift. It is best to gather your lavender in the morning. When picking your lavender, be sure and gather an odd number of stems for each wand you plan to make. I prefer to make my lavender wands before they have flowered.
God Eyes Protection
God Eyes (instructions) are invaluable for household protection. I have one over every doorway and window in my house. Kids love to make these, and they are easy for them to master. I have always found it most comfortable to connect two popsicle sticks with a dot of glue from the hot glue gun. The only other thing you need is a selection of various colored yarns.
Gatherings
Decorations
The celebration of the sun is all about yellows, oranges, and light. Golden tablecloths with flower bouquets sacred to Midsummer and white candles in golden holders can set the mood. You can find gold disposable flatware at a party or the dollar store.
A patio decorated with strings of white fairy lights and white candles will further the mood. Sparklers for your guests after dark are very festive and great fun. If you are daring, small fireworks could be displayed if legal in your area. I am lucky to be in the countryside where anything goes.
Food
I think it is fun to take on the challenge of maintaining the golden, yellow, and orange theme for your menu items.
A menu could include barbecued chicken, potato salad with a little extra mustard for color, sliced oranges, sliced cantaloupe, squash sour cream casserole, fresh lemonade, lemon bars with sun and moon cookies.
RECIPES
Lemon Bars
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- For Crust
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 1/3 cup flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
Combine ingredients and pat the crust mixture into an ungreased 8-inch square pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes until lightly browned.
- For Filling
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Mix the filling ingredients and pour over the baked crust. Return to the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Cool before slicing and serving.
Squash Sour Cream Casserole
- 3 medium zucchini in 1/2 inch slices
- 3 medium yellow summer squash in 1/2 inch slices
- 8 ounces sour cream
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 cup crushed saltines crackers
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Boil squash until just tender and drain well. Combine butter, sour cream, spices, and cheese. In 11/2 quart casserole dish layer 1/2 of squash, then 1/2 of sour cream and cheese mixture, and then 1/4 cup crackers. Repeat layers ending with crackers on top. Bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees.
Sun and Moon Cookies
- 1/2 cup softened butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 3/4 cup flour
- yellow and orange icing
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Combine well with mixer.
Add baking powder and then flour one cup at a time. Blend well.
Divide dough into two and roll out each part in a 12-inch circle. Using moon and circle-shaped cookie cutters dip each in flour before cutting out cookie shapes.
Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet for 6 minutes or until lightly brown. Cool on rack. Decorate with yellow and orange icing
I hope you have found my post informative and it has given you some ideas for your own Midsummer celebration.
If you did enjoy it please share it with like-minded friends and family.
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The Good Witch
Fun read. Thank you. Off to talk to the bees. Much to tell.😁