Summer Solstice in Folklore

Summer Solstice (20/21 of June) is around the corner, a festivity that a lot of ancient cultures marked as significant date in the year by celebrating the concept of sun worship which is as old as mankind itself. Our ancestors that were primarily living in agricultural soceities and depended on the sun for life, it is no surprise that the sun became worshipped as a deity.

Around the summer soltice sun symbols were important for our anchestors like the sun cross or sun wheel.

For example in Brothers Grimm’s "Teutonic Mythology" is a description of the traditional German folk practices for Summer Solstice celebrations in the areas where the Norse Gods were once honored by setting a sunwheel out of straw on fire and let it roll down a hill . In some areas the wheel was simply lit and incorporated into the Summer Solstice bonfire.

These traditions are still alive until today.

Another tradition is going out to harvest Summer Solstice related herbs.

The Summer Solstice is a great time to harvest herbs, because in this time the herbs

have their greatest power for healing and magical purposes..

In many magical traditions, the number nine is seen as sacred, so were going to use nine different herbs /plants.

Here are some herbs for you to harvest for example for a Summer Solstice pouch ,

an insence or for anointing candles in combination with an essential oil.

These  herbs are commonly available during the midsummer season, but if you don't have access to them,

feel free to substitute other herbs that grow in your area.

Use a mortar and pestle to blend and powder your herbs when making incense or other magical concoctions.

 Any fresh herb can be dried simply by picking it and tying it up in small bundles in a well-ventilated area at your home.. Once they are completely dry store them in airtight jars in a dark place. This recipe is for loose incense, but you can always adapt it for stick or cone recipes. As you mix and blend your incense, focus on the intent of your work. In this particular recipe, I created an incense to use during a Summer Solstice ritual.

You'll need:

* 1 part St.Johns Wort

* 1 part Rose Petals

* ½ part Bay Leaves

* 1 part Chamomile Flowers

* 1 part Lavender Flowers

* 2 parts Mugwort

* ½ part Rosemary

* ½ part Thyme

* ½ part Oak Leaves

Add your ingredients to your mixing bowl one at a time. Measure carefully, and if the leaves or blossoms need to be crushed, use your mortar and pestle to do so. As you blend the herbs together, state your intent. You may find it helpful to charge your incense with an incantation, such as:

Balance of the heavens and earth below,
The power of the sun in this incense grows.
Rose, mugwort, rosemary and bay,
Fire and water, on this longest day.
Herbs of power, blended by me,
As I will, so it shall be.

Store your incense in a tightly sealed jar.