Midsummer

Lore

Midsummer, usually around June 21 or 22, the sun reaches its zenith in the sky. It is the longest day of the year, and the point at which the sun seems to just hang there without moving – in fact, the word “solstice” is from the Latin word solstitium, which literally translates to “sun stands still.” The travels of the sun were marked and recorded.

This holiday is most commonly known as “Litha” (the ancient Germanic name for Summer) This day is also known as the Summer Solstice and Midsummer. It is  the time in which the Sun God is at his strongest.  It is a time for the Sun God and The Green Man, which to some is one and the same due to old depictions of the Sun God being depicted as The Green man back when Paganism and Christianity were merging.

In some traditions, Litha or Midsummer is a time at which there is a battle between light and dark. The Oak King is seen as the ruler of the year between winter solstice and summer solstice, and the Holly King from summer to winter. At each solstice they battle for power, and while the Oak King may be in charge of things at the beginning of June, by the end of Midsummer he is defeated by the Holly King.

The celebration of Midsummer has dated back to ancient times.
This day has great meaning to most everyone for various reasons. For those who practice Faerie Magik, this is an especially meaningful day, because it is said that the faeries and the forest creatures come out to celebrate this wonderful day.
A large feast is usually held. There would be lots of music and dancing, lots of drinking, and of course love making. Midsummer is celebrated with bonfires and is a time to honor the space between earth and the heavens.

During this time is the best time to gather and dry your wild crafted or garden herbs.

Write down your wishes and toss them into a well, spring, or cauldron. This can be done by writing it on a piece of paper or meditating on your wish while holding a stone, flower, or feather and then throwing it into the water.
Offerings are also placed in water and thrown into the fire.

The rituals of Midsummer celebrate the verdant Earth in high summer, abundance, fertility, and all the riches of Nature in full bloom. This is a great time of strong magic and empowerment. It is a wonderful time for communication with the spirits of Nature. At Litha, the veils between the worlds are thin; the portals between worlds and realms beyond are more open than during other times of the year. This is an excellent time for rites of divination.

I am listing some things that correspond with this holiday/season; so that if you need, you can use as reference when celebrating this wonderful time of year.

~Correspondences~

~Customs
Bonfires, singing, feasting, coming together to celebrate and perform rituals, cutting
divining rods, dowsing rods & wands, going into the woods to gather herbs, ferns and flowers. Handfastings, weddings,  and making love (this is a great time for fertility) leaping between two fires,  women walking naked through gardens to ensure continued fertility, enjoying the seasonal fruits & vegetables, honor the Mother’s fullness, richness and abundance, put garlands of St. John’s Wort placed over doors/ windows & a sprig in the car for protection.

~Colors associated with Midsummer
Yellow, white, red, blue, green, tan, orange, and gold

~Gemstones
Any green, gold, red, yellow, and some blue stones.
Such as Emerald, Carnilion, Citron, Amber, Jade, Tigers Eye, Lapis lazuli, etc.

~Animals/Mythical Beings
Robins, horses, cattle, satyrs, faeries, firebirds, dragons, thunderbirds, and canaries.

~Decoration, Symbols, & Tools
Anything reminiscent of the sun (yellows, reds, oranges), Sun wheel, fresh and dried herbs, potpourri, fruits, summer flowers, oak, birch & fir branches, sun flowers, lilies, red, yellow or gold flowers, love/fertility amulets, seashells, feather/flower door wreaths,  fire, circles of stone, sun dials, bird feathers, and Witches’ ladder.

~Rituals/Magicks and ways to celebrate

Nature spirit/fey communion, planet healing, divination, love & protection magicks.
Rededication of faith, rites of inspiration. Animal Protection and Marriage & Vow Renewal.
Go for a hike, go to the beach, a spring, a lake, a well.. Hold a bonfire party, Hold a barbecue, Share your garden's harvest with friends, Herbs can be dried over the ritual fire if you're celebrating outdoors. Use mirrors, reflective crystal balls, or metal ornaments to capture the light of the Sun or the flames of the fire. Make amulets (simple charms) of protection out of herbs such as rue and rowan. If you make new amulets each year you can dispose of the old in the midsummer fire.

 
~Foods
Mead, honey, fresh fruits and veggies, lemonade, lemons, oranges, cookies and cakes decorated to honor the Sun,  summer squash, cantaloupe, carrots and carrot juice, and of course plenty of ale.

Not authentic but quick way to have something similar to mead. Even if the recipe is cheating a bit, its still a delicious drink nonetheless.
First heat 1 part water with 1 part wildflower or your choice of honey  until the mixture is smooth and the honey’s completely incorporated. (wildflower being the best choice but any honey will do that you like best)
Sprinkle some fresh rose petals into the mixture and let it cool. (orange or lemon slices could also be added to the mixture for added flavor)
Strain the mixture (optional).
Mix 2 parts honey water with 1 part grain alcohol and serve chilled over ice. Alternatively, mix 1 part honey water with 1 part vodka.

~Herbs
basil, elder, pine, St. John’s wort, thyme, yarrow, frankincense, lavender, lily, anise, mugwort, chamomile, daisy, rose, calendula, sunflower, wild rose (red or yellow being best), oak blossoms, ginger, and spices, cinquefoil, fennel, mistletoe, hemp, larkspur, nettle, wisteria, vervain, rue, fern, wormwood,heather, oak & holly trees.

Midsummer Fire Oil

I have concocted an oil for this special time of year.
Midsummer oil smells that of pine forests, with bay, and orange to add to the sweet spicy scent. There are many herbs and flowers added to this oil that all correspond to Midsummer and the fire element. A citron stone and a few herbs, flowers, and resins were added to the bottle for added potency. A Tibetan silver energy sun charm adorns the outside of the bottle on a red ribbon. The charm may be removed and charged with the oil, and then worn for added benefit.

This oil comes in a 4oz round corked bottle and is $11.95 + shipping.

A Spell Dust that may also be used as an incense was also made.
Midsummer Fire Spell Dust can be used in the bonfire, heated on charcoal disks, placed on the altar, tossed for wishes and use in rituals. It can be sprinkled around your sacred circle, along with many other uses.

There is a long list of herbs that went into the making of this blend. It smells strongly of pine and orange. The blend produces a very pungent smoke that is both sweet, woody, and herby.
Even without lighting it, the dust has quite a wonderful and complex smell to it.

Vials are 1/2 an inch wide and 3 inches long (not including the length of the glass ball)
The glass ball is sealed to the vial with candle wax. Wax can be removed to get to the herbs inside the vials.
This Spell Dust Vial is $2.00 each + shipping.

I have a special going on right now on my herb vials and spell dusts where if you buy 5 you get 1 herb vial free. If you buy 10 you get either 2 herb vials or 1 spell dust free with your order. There are plenty of herbs available that have to do with Midsummer, love, and other magicks done during this time of year.
This deal only lasts till June 23rd so don’t miss out on this great special before it ends!