Step into the enchanting time of Midsummer when nature's bounty flourishes and magic fills the air. As the sun reaches its highest point in the sky and the longest day of the year graces us with its abundant rays, we find ourselves immersed in a realm where mystical forces intertwine with earthly delights.
Around this time of year many find themselves deep within their herbal craft, tending to gardens and harvesting for their home cooked meals. We tend to explore more of the depths of our backyard forests and streams, taking day trips to coastlines and new valleys. It is a time that uplifts our spirit prior to the upcoming sleepiness of Winter. Let us soak it all in while it is here!
Intentions for Midsummer
vitality
uplifting
confidence
abundance
growth
passion
3 Midsummer Must-Try Recipes
Bring the Bliss | Lemon Lavender Cake
During this time of year many feel called to a little kitchen witchery with the abundant local berries and blossoms. For this recipe, we used our Protection elixir once again for it’s lavender and vanilla flavor in the buttercream frosting.
Lemon Cake:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
Zest of 2 lemons
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Lavender Buttercream Frosting:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon of Protection elixir
1 tsp of dried culinary lavender buds, optional
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour your chosen pan.
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix well until combined. Then stir in the vanilla extract.
Pour into the cake pan, then bake for 30 mins or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
When the cakes are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool before frosting (I was impatient and didn’t wait until they were completely cool, ha!)
To prepare the frosting, cream the softened butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and Protection elixir, mixing until fluffy.
Once the cake has cooled completely, spread a layer of frosting on top and sprinkle some dried lavender buds for decor. You may even add some fresh fruit on top to celebrate the abundant fruit season.
Serve and share with loved ones for the Midsummer celebrations! Don't forget to leave a bit out for the spirits.
Uplift the Heart | Yarrow and Rose Hip Intentional Elixir
You didn't think I'd leave out an intentional elixir, did you? Yarrow and Rose hips are some of my personal favorite allies during the summertime. Rose hips were collected during the winter while Yarrow is beginning to bloom and emerge from their sleep. When foraging for flora within you area, be sure to follow your local laws and ensure that the area is safe and clean from any pollution or chemicals. When in doubt, you can source dried yarrow and rose hips from other online resources such as Mountain Rose Herbs, and perhaps somewhere else that has such magical herbal blends very soon... (wink, wink).
The beautiful combo of yarrow and rose hips don't only deliver an enriched syrup with medicinal properties of vitamin C and promote immune boosting, but the couple also aids in magically tending to matters of the heart. Yarrow is known as a healing plant with it's astringent properties to heal skin wounds, but it also tends to wounds of our heart. Rose hip supports us to finding our glow, both internally and externally.
Yarrow and Rose Hip Elixir Recipe:
1 cup of water
1 cup of sugar
1 tbsp dried rose hips
1 tbsp dried yarrow flowers
Combine the water and sugar in a saucepan over a medium heat. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Add the dried rose hips and yarrow flowers into the simple syrup. Allow to simmer on low for about 15 mins. Then, allow to cool.
Strain the syrup into a sterilized jar. Store in the refrigerator. Will keep for about 3 months, but best to use within 8 weeks.
Use over your morning waffles, in your coffee or tea, and even experiment in mocktails or cocktails!
Liquid Confidence | Midsummer Mule Mocktail
Ginger Honey Syrup
1 cup water
1 cup honey
1 small piece of ginger (about 2 inches long), peeled and sliced
Instructions:
In a small saucepan, combine the water and ginger slices. Place the pan over medium heat.
Bring the water to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 5 minutes. This will help infuse the ginger flavor into the syrup.
After 5 minutes, add the honey to the saucepan. Stir well to combine.
Continue to heat the mixture, stirring occasionally, until the honey has completely dissolved and the syrup is well infused with ginger, about 5-7 minutes.
Once the syrup is ready, remove the saucepan from heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
Strain the syrup to remove the ginger pieces. You can also use a cheesecloth or coffee filter for a smoother syrup!
Transfer the ginger honey syrup to a clean, airtight container. Allow it to cool completely before storing it in the refrigerator. Will keep for about 3-6 months.
Midsummer Mule Mocktail Recipe:
1 oz. Ginger honey syrup
2 oz. Seedlip Spice 94
4 oz Club Soda
3 oz Lime juice
Fill the glass with ice. Combine all ingredients together and gently stir. Enjoy in the sun!
A Witch's Midsummer| 3 Rituals for the New Season
Midsummer, celebrated in various cultures around the globe, beckons us to embrace the abundant gifts of the season and tap into the energy that permeates this time of year. Folks around this time found themselves celebrating with one another with festivities, purifying themselves and their cattle with bonfires for future abundance, and ritually gathering herbs for medicinal and magical purposes. Witnessing the blossomed wildflowers in full bloom with their aroma and the brightness of the ripe fruit, it is impossible to not be swept away by Midsummer's awe and beauty.
Forage Magical Herbs | The Seven Sacred Herbs of Midsummer
The following herbs were thought to withhold magical properties during Midsummer and were ritually foraged on Midsummer's Eve:
St. John's Wort
Ivy
Daisy
House leek
Mugwort
Yarrow
Garden Sage
When foraging these herbs, you can craft together a magical bundle for the home and hang it on the doorway for protection and to bring forth abundance for the upcoming season. You may also decide to use them within your Craft, such as spells for abundance, protection, confidence, vitality, growth, and purification.
To learn more about the folklore of these herbs and how to connect with them during this season, join my Patreon community for an exclusive Midsummer workshop.
A Wishing Charm Bag
If you have an opportunity to make a bonfire of some sort, this is a great ritual to do to call in new desires and wishes for the summer season ahead. This time is vibrant and calls us to bring to life what it is that we desire to work towards in our life. A charm bag has been used in folk magic for many different ways, specifically for healing and protecting. Today, we can use a charm bag for other purposes, such as calling in our best wishes.
First, write a petition for what it is you desire for the season ahead. Be as specific as possible. Write this on a piece of paper that is small enough to fold into a small cloth bag.
Place the petition into the cloth bag. Add the following magical plant allies:
Bay leaves — for wish fulfillment
Mugwort — for spiritual connection
Chamomile — for success in desires
State the intention behind each herbal ally, giving thanks for their assistance in this ritual.
Hold the wishing charm bag in your hands and visualize your wish being granted. Focus on the feeling. Embody that feeling. When you're ready, throw the wishing bag into the bonfire, allowing it be released into our physical world and transfer to the spiritual.
A Midsummer Guided Meditation for the Otherworld
This time of year is quite magical. It is a liminal time of our calendar when our physical world and spiritual are closer together. Now is a great time to explore spirit-flight with the practice of meditation to enter a trance-like state of mind. If you're new to this practice, try out the new series, Folkcraft Fables, on Youtube — an immersive guided meditations specifically for witches and practitioners looking to deepen their magical path.
In this episode, we explore the Otherworld through a guided meditation. This is great for beginner witches looking to strengthen their practice in the spiritual world. Create a comfortable atmosphere in a quiet place by lighting some candles and getting in your comfortable loungewear. Perhaps make yourself some calming lavender tea beforehand to completely relax and immerse yourself in the meditation. I hope you find it helpful and insightful during this magical time!
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