Welcome back to the latest installment of my Sabbat herbal series. This is part 3 of this series of Sabbat Herbs & Oils. You can check out part 1 and part 2 at these links. This time we are focusing on the Summer Solstice. Also called Litha, or even Midsummer by some, this time of year is all about celebrating the Sun, empowerment, healing and revitalizing, growing, sweetness, marriage, and faeires.
With that all in mind I thought I'd share some of the many plants and oils associated with this season. You can use them in your rituals as altar decor, incense, oils, or in your ritual bath as a bath oil, bath bomb or bath salts. You can make a potpourri or room spray with one or some of these ingredients. Anyway, you feel pulled to celebrate the season. Just be sure to read any and all label warnings.
Marigold/Calendula is a well known flower with lots of properties. Its just starting to bloom this time of year and will last until late October. Calendula has many healing properties especially for wounds, inflammations and pain. Magickally, it is associated with the element of Fire and the Sun. In fact, one of its names is Bride of the Sun. So just having some on your altar during this season would be perfect. Marigolds petals sprinkled under your bed is said to support prophetic dreams. And bathing in them can bring admiration or remove negative energy. You can use them in teas, tinctures or even as a dye for your altar cloth as well.
Yarrow grows almost anywhere and it is said you should pick it during the summer solstice for magickal uses. But you don't have to. Yarrow is also called allheal by some since it is known to help stop bleeding including nosebleeds when taken internally or applied externally. It can also be used to strenghtne weak veins, relieve colds and for digestive problems. You can hang yarrow to dry and it will keep its shape. Then hang it over your wedding bed or use in wedding decor for 7 years of love. Carrying yarrow will attract love and other lasting relationships. Infusions and teas made with yarrow can increase psychic powers or stop fear, evil and negativity. Yarrow is also added to sachets made for bringing courage.
Oak trees have a long history in European and American folklore, medicine and spirituality. Oak bark, especially young white oak bark has beneficial tannins that are anti-bacterial, antiseptic anti-inflammatory and astringent. That makes it great for skin rashes, eczema, wounds and as a mouth rinse or wash for the gums, mouth and throat. The oak tree grows up to 90 feet tall and roughly 33 feet wide and can live up to 1000 years. So they are great for protection and growth spells. You can create protection symbols out of oak twigs to hang around your home for protection. You can also create or purchase your altar or ritual tools out of oak. Such as a staff, the handle of your ritual knife, or even a crown as oak is known to be associated with power, strength, good fortune, money and success. You can carry an acorn, the fruit of the oak tree, in your pocket for good fortune. The Oak King and the Holly King is a popular story among modern pagans, where each rules over one half of the year. The Oak King rules from the Winter Solstice until the Summer Solstice in some traditions, while in others he rules from the Spring Equinox until the Autumn Equinox, being at the height of his power during the Summer Solstice.
Citrus Oils include Lemon, Orange, Lime and Grapefruit. Lemons have been called the golden gift of the sun due to their scent being uplifting and revitalizing. Lemon essential oil is on of the most used around the world. It has multiple applications for therapeutic, cosmetic and household usage. In all cases, it elevates and cleanses. Orange, Lime and Grapefruit oils have similar affects thought their scents are slightly sweeter and not quite as strong. All are scents popular during the summer for their refreshing qualities during the hot and muggy days. So you can make room sprays, body sprays, or air fresheners with them to cleanse the air and refresh the mind and body. Drinking the juices of these citrus fruits is also refreshing as well. Of the citrus fruits, the Orange is the most directly associated with the sun. It is also considered a love fruit. Add it to your bath to attract love and attention. Orange flowers added to love sachets are said to lead to wedded bliss. Lemon in served to a spouse is said to strengthen fidelity. Lime peel is also used in love sachets as well.
Honey doesn't fit any of my usual categories but is often used magickally, so here it is. Honey itself is antibacterial but what makes it great is the fact that depending on what plants the honey bees that create it have visited, it can take on many of the nutritional and healing properties of those plants combined. This makes some honey more beneficial than others depending on what you need and want. So basically all raw honey is useful medically. We also know most honey is sweet so those two properties made it the perfect offering to the gods in many spiritual ceremonies of the centuries. Those properties also make it a powerful magickal ingredient to almost any spell or ritual. It is associated with both the Sun and Venus. Which adds to its power as well. Honey is considered a great offering to faeries in particular.
These are just a few flowers, herbs, oils and woods you can use during the Summer Solstice, Midsummer or Litha, season.In fact, together these would make a great summer bath recipe. And of course you don't have to restrict their usage to just that 24 hour period. They all would be perfect to celebrate this time of year up until we start getting closer to Lughnasadh, or Lammas. As always with any of these and other items new to you, test them carefully before going all in especially if you have sensitive skin. Do a spot test on your skin before fully submerging into a bath. Sniff a bit of the item before purchase to make sure you are not allergic or sensitive to it. Read all label warnings because some items are not for women who are pregnant or nursing, or others on certain medications. Safety first always.
And let me know if you decide to use any of these items in the comments below. I'll be back soon with some Lughnasadh suggestions. If you would like to try any of my summer products you can find them in the link below.
~Lashette
Scarlet Moon Creations
These are just a few flowers, herbs, oils and woods you can use during the Summer Solstice, Midsummer or Litha, season.In fact, together these would make a great summer bath recipe. And of course you don't have to restrict their usage to just that 24 hour period. They all would be perfect to celebrate this time of year up until we start getting closer to Lughnasadh, or Lammas. As always with any of these and other items new to you, test them carefully before going all in especially if you have sensitive skin. Do a spot test on your skin before fully submerging into a bath. Sniff a bit of the item before purchase to make sure you are not allergic or sensitive to it. Read all label warnings because some items are not for women who are pregnant or nursing, or others on certain medications. Safety first always.
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