This year the summer solstice, longest day and height of the solar year, falls on Sunday the 21st of June. This is a time of fiery solar energy. Traditionally a time of faery revels, magic and great power, this is the perfect time to trust in your heart’s desire and seize your destiny. Throughout Britain and Ireland, it has been traditional to light a beacon fire at this time, and to seek spirit contact as well as a time for magic divination and blessing.
There is a host of plant lore connected to this time of the year in the Celtic traditions, but the main plants of the season are the elderflower, Vervain and St John’s wort. Gather Elderflower beneath the moon for healing tisanes or to make cordial, but vervain ‘the enchanters herb’, useful for all sorts of magic and scrying, blessing your sacred space and the highly protective St John’s wort are best gathered at dawn.
The time you take to restore yourself is precious. Morning is the optimal time to perform a self blessing which will help you maintain both your physical health and provide an emotional boost. Lavender essential oil is the most popular essential oil the world today, but the benefits of lavender were actually discovered over 3000 years ago. Because of the deeply powerful calming and soothing effect as well as antioxidant, antimicrobial, sedative tranquilizing and antidepressive properties, lavender oil is simply wonderful even the scent brings joy. When King Tut’s tomb was opened in 1923 in Egypt, a faint perfume of lavender remained after 3,000 years. In the Bible, lavender was beloved as for anointing and healing. Lavender, let us count the ways we love you:
Tinctures have also been used for millenniaand can be considered precious because they are so concentrated condensed.Tinctures are concentrated liquid extracts of herbs. They are very potent and are taken by the dropperful, most often diluted in warm water or juice. Because they are so concentrated, they should be administered carefully and sparingly. (For chronic problems, use 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of a tincture three times daily.
Most tinctures are made with alcohol as the primary solvent. Do bear in mind that though the amount of alcohol is very small, many people choose not to use alcohol-based tinctures for a variety of sound reasons. Excellent tinctures can be made apple cider vinegar as the solvent. If you use alcohol, go be 80 to 100 proof and the best options vodka, gin or brandy. Because it will be diluted, Half of the proof number is the percentage of alcohol in the spirits: 80-proof brandy is 40 percent alcohol; 100-proof vodka is 50 percent alcohol, as example. If dried herbs are used, a common ratio is 1 part dried plant material to 4 parts liquid) If fresh herbs are used, a common ratio is 1 part plant material to 1 part liquid. The fresh herbs have much more potency.
Oftentimes, your kitchen is the heart of the home. Something about cooking and sharing food brings people together. An herbal wreath hanging on the kitchen door can be a source of love and luck. You’ll need the following for your creation:
Essential oils are highly concentrated extracts of flowers, herbs, roots, or resin extract, sometimes diluted in neutral base oil. Try to ensure you are using natural oils instead of manufactured, chemical-filled perfume oils; the synthetics lack any real energy. Also, approach oils with caution, and don’t get them in your eyes. Clean cotton gloves are a good idea to keep in your kitchen for handling sensitive materials. You can avoid any mess and protect your magical tools by using oil droppers. While you are learning and studying, find a trusted herbalist or the wise sage at your local metaphysical shop; usually their years of experience offer much in the way of useful knowledge you can use to your advantage. I have included as much as I can in this at-a-glance guide to oils. These essential oils are excellent choices for anointing lamps as well as yourself:
Cinnamon is energetic, spicy, and warm. It stimulates the mind as well as the body.
Why does every day seem like it is a weeklong nowadays? Unplugging from cable news and constant social media feeds will help, as will this time-tested aromatherapy healing potion. This remedy is an excellent way to recharge and refresh after a hectic week, and it is most potent when made right after the sun sets, by the light of the moon.
As a kitchen witch and gardening enthusiast, I am always seeking to learn more about the power of herbs, plants, roots and flowers can be used in the craft. Grow your wealth, literally with these handy herbs:
Allspice berries bring good luck; gather 7 berries and place in a small pouch to carry in your pocket or purse for a week, On the 7th day, burn them with cinnamon incense while making your wish for whatever you want.
Erin Lale
Fellow faculty at Harvard Divinity School posted an open letter to Wolpe in response to his article. It's available on this page, below the call for p...
Erin Lale
Here's another response. The Wild Hunt has a roundup of numerous responses on its site, but it carried this one as a separate article. It is an accoun...
Erin Lale
Here's another response. This one is by a scholar of paganism. It's unfortunately a Facebook post so this link goes to Facebook. She posted the text o...
Erin Lale
Here's another link to a pagan response to the Atlantic article. I would have included this one in my story too if I had seen it before I published it...
This year the summer solstice, longest day and height of the solar year, falls on Sunday the 21st of June. This is a time of fiery solar energy. Traditionally a time of faery revels, magic and great power, this is the perfect time to trust in your heart’s desire and seize your destiny. Throughout Britain and Ireland, it has been traditional to light a beacon fire at this time, and to seek spirit contact as well as a time for magic divination and blessing.
