Litha, or the Summer Solstice, is not the beginning of the summer as it
seems to be from our modern-day nature-negating calendars, but is the peak
of summer, Midsummer, the longest day of the year. This day marks the time
when the Sun's rule over us ends and the days begin to shorten. It's a
classic time for magical acts. Traditional activities for Midsummer
include leaping a bonfire for purification and renewed energy, and
gathering certain herbs to keep under your pillow that night so you dream
of the one you'll marry.
The Covenant of the Goddess says:
On this day, the noon of the year and the longest day, light and life
are abundant. We focus outward, experiencing the joys of plenty,
tasting the first fruits of the season. In some traditions the sacred
marriage of the Goddess and God is celebrated (in others, this is
attributed to the springtime holidays). Rhea, the Mountain Mother of
Crete, has breathed out all creation. It is also the festival of the
Chinese Goddess of Light, Li."
DECORATIONS
RECIPES
Midsummer Mead
Summer Solstice Bread
EVENTS
United States
International
RECIPES
MIDSUMMER MEAD
Ingredients: Symbolism:
1 gal. water
12 oz. fruit juice
(strawberry or pineapple)
2 tsp. cinnamon [Cinnamon is associated with fire and
the Sun, making it a perfect herb to
celebrate the peak of summer. It, along
with many other ingredients in this
2 1/2 lbs. honey wine, is associated with love and
success. It has been used in the Orient
(and anyone who can get more specific is
welcome to email us) to purify temples
and focus one's concentration.]
1 sprig saffron
2 tsp. powdered ginger [Ginger is another fire herb, connected
with power, love, and health. It eases
nausea and indigestion, and helps
heal fevers and colds.]
5 whole cloves [Cloves, also associated with the fire
element, are considered to dispel and
protect from negativity, probably
because of their powerful scent.]
2 capfuls of rosewater [Roses are associated with love
and romance... not to mention
being high in vitamin C!]
1/2 cake yeast
Bring water to a slow boil with cinnamon, saffron, ginger, cloves, and
rosewater. Add honey until dissolved, then add fruit juice. Cover and
boil for 15 minutes. Cool to lukewarm. Dissolve yeast in warm water
and add. Cover with a towel for 2 days before straining and bottling.
You may need to air mixture periodically. To eliminate the need for
airing, a fermentation lock may be purchased from a home-brewing
supply store.
SOLSTICE HERB BREAD
Ingredients: Symbolism:
3 C. flour
1 tsp. salt [Salt is a purifier, absorbing bad
vibes. It's also known to raise your
bld. pressure and possibly contribute to
cancer in overdoses, however, and it is
included in almost every food item you
1 Tbs. sugar buy in the supermarket and restaurants,
so you might want to stir the salt into
water and paint doorways with it for
protection instead - it won't hurt the
recipe.]
1 pkg. dry active yeast [_The Urban Pagan_ suggests that
"yeast... becomes an activating
ingredient to help the magical power
rise!"(92.)]
2 Tbs. chopped fresh chives [Chives are a member of the onion family
and look like spring onions and have
puffball lavender blooms. If anyone can
find any symbolism here....]
2 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary [Rosemary is associated with the Sun and
the fire element, both making it a good
herb for the longest day of the year. It
was supposed to improve memory and sleep,
purify things, and keep one youthful.
1 1/4 C. hot water Patricia Telesco in _The Urban Pagan_
says, "The Romans considered this an herb
which would bring peace after death and
2 Tbs. Crisco joy during life, therefore it appeared in
almost every ceremony in between!" (page
158.) It can be a mild stimulant.]
1 tsp. fresh thyme [Thyme was believed by the Greeks to have
been born from the tears of Helen, and
was used for embalming by the Egyptians.
It is associated with sleep, courage,
psychic energy, and healing, and helps
with colds, exaustion, infections, and
indigestion.]
Mix 2 cups of the flour, sugar, salt and yeast in a large bowl. Add
herbs, water, and Crisco. Beat slowly, stirring in remaining cup of
flour until smooth. Scrape batter from sides of bowl and let rise in a
warm place for 35 minutes or until it doubles in bulk. Punch down and
beat with a spoon for about 15 seconds. Place dough in a greased loaf
pan, patting down and forming a loaf shape with your hands. Cover and
let rise again for about 30 minutes or until it again doubles in bulk.
Bake at 375 for 40-45 minutes. Brush top with butter or margarine and
remove from pan to cool.
Both recipes are from Laurie Cabot's Celebrating the Earth; symbolism collated by FIRE.
EVENTS
6/16-22 Pagan Spirit Solstice, Goddess Cave PSG 1997, Circle
Gathering ritual, Rites of passage, P.O. Box 219
SW Wisconsin camping, music, drumming, Mt. Horeb, WI 53572
etc. (608) 924-2216
Mid June Witchcamp Focused workshops, rituals Diana's Grove
Missouri etc. with Reclaiming (573) 689-2400
6/20-22 Solstice Retreat Nicki Scully teaches Nicki
Eugene Oregon Mystery School, etc. (800) 937-2991
6/20-22 Unity with a Beat Learn skills facilitating Mark Seaman
Reading PA drum circles in clinical Earth Rhythms
& community setting (610) 374-3730
6/25-29 Pagan Kith & Kin Multi generational camping The Earth Conclave
SW Wisconsin celebrating cultural P.O. Box 14377
diversity, traditions,etc. Madison, WI 53714
6/25-29 Lumens Gate Workshops, rituals, music White Dove
Artemis, PA camping, and in depth (304) 252-1094
magick & transformation brussell@cwv.net
End June Sappho Witchcamp for lesbians Bridgid
early July B.C. Canada Pat (604) 253-7189 (604) 255-5409
7/3-6 Drum & Splash Drumming, bonfires White Dove
$35 Artemis, PA camping, and swimming (304) 252-1094
$45 @ gate workshops, ceremony brussell@cwv.net
7/10-13 Sacred Space Workshops, ceremonies, Sacred Space Conf.
$45 ($55 @ Days Hotel, rebirth & renewal theme 5400 Eisenhower Ave.
aft.4/30 Timonium, MD Alexandria, VA 22304
$60 aft6/15 Rooms $65/night
email: dan@vais.net
7/10-13 Shamanism Church of Earth Healing White Dove
Artemis, PA teaches Shamanism (304) 252-1094
brussell@cwv.net
7/11-13 Nowicki Workshop Dolores Ashcroft Nowicki Foxwood Temple
Laurel, MD Workshop (301) 725-8439
7/15-20 Mexico Contact Circurlo Dorado 011-523-628-3408
2nd week Witchcamp Focused workshops, rituals Kim Jack
July California etc. with Reclaiming (415) 923-1458
7/17-22 Alchemical Healing Nicki Scully teaches Nicki
Eugene Oregon at Gathering (800) 937-2991
7/20-27 Witchcamp Focused ritual, workshops B.C. Witchcamp News
British Columbia and magical training with P.O. Box 21510
Canada Reclaiming Collective Vancouver, BC V5N 4A0
Call Pat Hogan at: (604) 253-7189
7/22-27 STARWOOD Rituals, workshops, music ACE
Sherman, NY bonfire drumming and dance 1643 Lee Rd. #9
(800) 446-4962 Cleveland Hts, OH
44118
7/25-27 Omega 20th Workshops, partying, Omega Institute
Anniversary special guests, etc 260 lake Drive
Rhinebeck, NY Rhinebeck,NY 12572
8/6-9 Cauduseus In depth focus on White Dove
$35 Artemis, PA alternative healing 108 Alabama Ave.
$45 @ gate (304) 252-1094 Beckley, WV 25801
brussell@cwv.net
International Events
6/20-22 R.J. & J.Stewart Living World of Faery Contact to be
London, Ontario announced
Canada
End June Sappho Witchcamp for lesbians Bridgid
early July B.C. Canada Pat (604) 253-7189 (604) 255-5409
7/20-27 Witchcamp Focused ritual, workshops B.C. Witchcamp News
British Columbia and magical training with P.O. Box 21510
Canada Reclaiming Collective Vancouver, BC V5N 4A0
Call Pat Hogan at: (604) 253-7189
Ongoing Pagan Rituals OBJ, a Pan European Baelder
and celebrations fraternity of knowledge 60 Elmhurst Rd.,
England, etc. HWTP://www.bogo.co.uk/ Reading, Berkshire,
aceing/Baelder_+_Hoblink RG1-5HY England