Summer Solstice~Midsummer

    


      Summer Solstice or Midsummer is much more than just the longest day of the year.  This day has deep, magickal roots all over the world and has been celebrated by a myriad of cultures for centuries.    A solar/fire festival, Midsummer is a celebration of light, the powers of the Sun and the coming abundance of Mother Earth.  Summer Solstice (I tend to interchange the terms Midsummer and Summer Solstice) occurs around June 20th - June 21st when the Sun enters the zodiac sign Cancer.  The longest day and shortest night happens on Summer Solstice day, bringing the Sun to the height of its power.  Although the hottest days of summer are still ahead of us, the Summer Solstice marks the end of the light half of the year and the beginning of the dark half of the year (the days slowly start to get shorter as the sun sets earlier each evening).

     Midsummer has many names including:

• Summer Solstice and Midsummer 
• Litha
• Feast of Epona (ancient Gaul)
• All Couple's Day (Greece)
• Vastalia (ancient Rome)
• Gathering Day (Wales)
• Feill-Sheathain (Scotland)
• Thing-Tide (Scandinavia)

  

    Because of the power this day (and the days surrounding the Solstice) holds, it's a great time to perform spell work for protection, fertility, abundance, renewal, love and cleansing.  Nature is growing and blooming at every turn.  The Summer Solstice gives us wee mortals a chance to revel in the beauty of nature and celebrate all that Mother Earth gives us.  Midsummer is generally a time to party, feast and get down with your bad self at a community or family gathering (these ancient gatherings took place at Midsummer and are the root of what we now know as family reunions which usually take place in June.) Mother Earth likes a good a party too. Use the power of the Summer Solstice to:

•  Honor and commune with the fairy kingdom (Leave the fairies an offering of food ie. milk, honey, butter, wine, bread etc)
• Garden witchery (make a fairy garden and kill 2 birds with 1 stone)
• Herbal and garden magick
• Invite a bunch of pagan folk over and make the most of the sunshine with outdoor ritual followed by a rowdy picnic/bbq
• Gather fresh herbs and hang them to dry (Vervain was traditionally gathered before dawn on Midsummer and pine cones gathered on the day are considered powerful protection amulets.)
• Harness the protective power of the sun and make protection amulets.  Next year, bury the amulet on Midsummer Eve and make a new one on Midsummer Day.

     

     Although all Sabbats are associated with fire in some way, this element is most important and honored at Midsummer because of the hot sun.  Balefires have been a prominent component of Midsummer for centuries and continue to be lit today.  Traditionally, a balefire was lit on the eve of Midsummer, burned/tended to throughout the day of Midsummer and then allowed to burn out.  Summer Solstice activities (feasting, spell work, etc.) took place around the balefire making it the focal point of the day (symbolic of the sun's extended stay in the sky).  In some traditions, all lights in the home were extinguished and re-lit using torches lit from the balefire to bring the power of the sun into the home.  Farmers sometimes lit two fires side by side and walked their livestock between them.  This practice had two purposes: 1. the smoke purified the livestock while the fire offered symbolic protection. 2. the heat from the fire caused pests like ticks to fall off the animals.  Once the balefire has gone out the ashes that are left behind are sprinkled in the fields to bless the crops and bring fertility.  The most important thing to note about fire during Midsummer is its similarities to the sun.  Fire can cook your food, heat your home, light the way, burn you, and purify.  The sun provides warmth, provides plants with energy to grow and thrive, lights the way, heats you up and can give you one hell of a burn if you're not careful.  There are countless activities that can be done during Midsummer that include fire/sun:

• Light a bonfire. If a bonfire is too extreme, make a fire pit. If you're like me and don't have access to a yard, then use your cauldron. Light a few gold and green candles (gold represents the sun and green represents nature) in your cauldron.
• A simple spell to release that which no longer serves you: write down what you want to release on a peace of paper and throw it into the fire. 
• Place votive candles in a dish with some water.  The floating votives are pretty, provide some ambiance, and can also double as a scrying tool.
• Do some candle magick
• Practice safe sunbathing and work on your tan a bit
• When the sun begins to set, light sparklers and dance with the fireflies.

Summer Solstice folklore: June is a popular month for people to get hitched.  Ancient societies believed it was bad luck to marry in the month of May because this time belonged to the God and Goddess (Beltane). May is the month of sacred marriage between the Goddess and God, so people waited until June to walk down the aisle.  A nursery rhyme/old poem reflects this belief in its lyrics: 

"Married when the year is new, he'll be loving, kind & true,

When February birds do mate, You wed nor dread your fate.

If you wed when March winds blow, joy and sorrow both you'll know.

Marry in April when you can, Joy for Maiden & for Man.

Marry in the month of May, and you'll surely rue the day.

Marry when June roses grow, over land and sea you'll go. (or and happiness you'll always know)

Those who in July do wed, must labour for their daily bred.

Whoever wed in August be, many a change is sure to see

Marry in September's shrine, your living will be rich and fine.

If in October you do marry, love will come but riches tarry.

If you wed in bleak November, only joys will come, remember.

When December snows fall fast, marry and true love will last."

Summer Solstice/Midsummer is a powerful time during the wheel of the year.  Work on your tan, reflect on the light half of the year, make plans for the dark half or have a few rowdy companions over for a bbq, fire pit and sparklers.  Spend some time thinking of all that Mother Nature provides and the harvest that is still to come.  Create a fairy garden or an amulet to protect your home, property, animals or yourself (these could be good projects for the kids).  It doesn't matter what you do as long as you enjoy the longest day of the year!! 

Brightest of Blessings to you all, 

~Amethyst~

Sources:

Sabbats: A Witch's Approach To Living The Old Ways   by: Edain McCoy    (great book!)

Seasons of Witchery: Celebrating The Sabbats With The Garden Witch   by: Ellen Dugan 

Epic Pottermore Sorting

Forgive our lateness, but we've only JUST jumped on the Pottermore bandwagon (now that it's open to everyone). WE LOVE IT! If you don't know what Pottermore is:

"... a unique and free-to-use website which builds an exciting online experience around the reading of the Harry Potter books"

 You basically get to explore the world of Harry Potter in an interactive setting, as a Hogwarts student yourself! 


Next to receiving your own virtual wand, being sorted into one of the four Hogwarts houses is probably one of the most exciting parts of Pottermore. So we decided to document it. Enjoy.


~*Atreya & Amethyst*~

 
 

Heat Rash is a Prickly Opponent

     Over the years I've started using more and more home/natural remedies and I thought it would be a good idea to start sharing some of them on the blog.  The remedies I use come from different sources. Some are my own creation using different herbal reference books. Others I get from a great home remedy book that I purchased a few years ago.  Sometimes I follow the recipe in the book exactly but on occasion I will adjust it (add, subject, improvise) based on the ingredients I have, taste and smell preferences. Atreya also has a few natural remedies in her healing arsenal.  She brews a tea using a few herbs and spices that will help put an end to a cold in a day or two and send germs running for their lives. 

The home remedy book I referred to above.

     
     Today I thought I'd post a remedy for something that plagues a lot of people in the hot days of summer. I have annoyingly sensitive skin and have been plagued by various allergic reactions and sensitivities for my entire life.  Growing up and in my early adulthood I used what the doctors told me to; most of which is filled with chemicals and never works as well as the stuff Mother Nature provides.  So what's prickly heat or heat rash?? First of all it's annoying and second of all if you don't know what it is then you're lucky because you've obviously never had it.  Prickly heat or heat rash is: 

"Heat rash (prickly heat) is a red or pink rash usually found on body areas covered by clothing.

 It can develop when the sweat ducts become blocked and swell and often leads to discomfort and itching. 

Heat rash is most common in babies, but may affect adults in hot, humid climates."

Got Symptoms?? 

"Heat rash looks like dots or tiny pimples. In young children, heat rash can appear on

 the head, neck, and shoulders. The rash areas can get irritated by clothing or scratching, 

and, rarely, a secondary skin infection may develop."

     Thank you WebMD.  Babies and small children are the primary targets of prickly heat, usually because they've been dressed too warmly.  "In babies, heat rash can be caused by well-meaning parents who dress their baby too warmly, but it can happen to any baby in very hot weather. A baby should be dressed as an adult would be to be comfortable at the same temperature and activity level. Babies' hands and feet may feel cool to your touch but that does not mean they need to be dressed too warmly in hot weather."

     Although I may act like a small child on occasion, I'm definitely a grown woman that suffers from this annoying skin problem from time to time.  The inside of my arm and my neck (aggravated further by necklaces) are the spots where prickly heat likes to rear its ugly head.  Thanks to my healing remedies book, I found an easy oil blend that instantly helped relieve the itch and irritation and can be used on adults and children.  For this blend you'll need three ingredients:

• Sandalwood oil
• Lavender oil
• Chamomile
• Sweet Almond oil base

In a small glass vile mix 5 drops of Lavender oil with 5 drops of  Sandalwood oil.  Add 2-3 Chamomile buds, then pour in the base oil.  Shake it pretty good.  Once it's mixed well, take a dab and rub it on the affected area.  The annoyance of prickly heat should begin to subside immediately. 

     The recipe in Healing Remedies is slightly different from what I made.  The oil blend they recommend is:

• Sandalwood oil
• Lavender oil
• Calendula oil base

I used sweet almond oil as a base because that's what I had readily available and I added a bit of Chamomile because it helps alleviate rashes, cuts and scrapes.  I've been using this oil for a couple of weeks whenever I feel the pricklies coming on and it's worked wonders.  I apply it in the morning. It starts working as soon as I put it on and it works all day.  If you're in need of a prickly heat remedy, I hope this works for you.  ***

 

Bright Blessings and Good Luck out there in the summer heat, 

~Amethyst~


***I am not a doctor and I don't play one on TV. Do your research before you apply oils or ointments topically or consume any herbs via potions etc.

Sources:

WebMD.com

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Healing Remedies   by: C. Norman Shealy MD, PhD

F.Y.I.

♥

Misunderstood Maleficent

Check out Part 3 of  the "Misunderstood Disney Witches" series in Atreya's Corner! Highlighting my favorite Disney witch: MALEFICENT!

Herb Of The Month ~ June 2012

Herb of the Month for June 2012 ~ Chamomile

     It's June and time for us to explore another herb.  This month our herb is chamomile.  Chamomile is a common herb that is used all over the world.  From a mundane cup of hot tea to a powerful healing mixture, chamomile is a potent and versatile herb to have in your arsenal.  There are two types of Chamomile, Roman Chamomile (Chameamelum nobile, Anthemis nobilis) and German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita).  Both types of Chamomile can be used the same and work equally well.  Ground apple (because of its apple like scent), whig plant, maythen and heermannchen are some of the folk names for chamomile.  Its a masculine herb that is ruled by the Sun and the element of water. 

And now from my exploding herb cabinet... Chamomile



Fresh Chamomile is Daisy-like in appearance

Dry Chamomile

      Chamomile is widely known for its soothing, calming affects.  Chamomile is a stress reliever and brings happiness.  Teas made with this herb are often used to calm the nerves, relax the body and induce sleep.  If your an insomniac like me, chamomile tea before bed may be exactly what you need to help you find some Zzzzz.  You can also drink a mixture of chamomile, warm milk and honey.  It can also help calm anxiety and panic.  Also a muscle relaxant, chamomile can help reduce muscle cramps, spasms, and menstrual cramps.  Morning sickness, restlessness during pregnancy, upset stomach and digestion are also soothed with chamomile.  There's also a wide range of topical uses for Chamomile.  Cuts, scrapes, burns, blisters, rashes and eczema can be treated using Chamomile ( treat the area with a warm tea bag of add it to a salve).  You can also add the herb to a warm bath. 
      Chamomile isn't just for healing, this herb has a wide variety of magickal uses as well.  Love, peace, money, purification, and protection are among the magickal uses of chamomile.  To increase luck and attract money wash your hands in chamomile infused water.  Put the dried flower in your wallet or change purse to attract money. Take a chamomile bath before performing spell work to cleanse and purify your spiritual energy.  A bath will also attract love and help release feelings of loss and anger.  Chamomile is very powerful herb of protection.  Plant or sprinkle the herb around your property to protect your home and those that live on the property.  It will remove curses and spells cast against you and prevent future harmful spells from taking hold.  If you live in an apartment like myself, use water infused with chamomile to protect your home.  Sprinkle or spray the windows and the entrance to your apartment to prevent anything (and anyone) negative from crossing the threshold. 

Will Chamomile kill me??
Chamomile won't kill you.  This herb has been used for healing dating back to the ancient Egyptians that used it to fight off fevers.  People all over the world drink chamomile tea and it is used for cooking as well.   If your allergic to ragweed you may have an allergic reaction to the herb, but these reactions are pretty uncommon.  As with all things don't go overboard and if your pregnant consult your doctor before consuming chamomile tea.  *** 

Interesting Tidbit: Chamomile has an apple like scent and the word chamomile comes from the Greek meaning 'ground apple'.  To brighten blonde hair, use a chamomile tea rinse.

Chamomile Eye Wash
I have sensitive skin and eyes, especially on my face.  Skin irritation and swollen eyes are a fairly common occurance for me; especially during allergy season.  The eye irritation is probably the worst. No one wants pink eye.  During a pink eye attack a couple of years ago, I decided to take a more natural approach to dealing with this problem and what do you know.... Mother Nature has the best rememdy for it.  The natural stuff works faster then anything else I've ever used.  When I make an eye wash or a compress, I usually use a combination of fennel seed, chamomile and lavender. But using Chamomile on its own is OK too.  

• Start with two cups of water. Once the water has boiled add two tablespoons of dried Chamomile to the water.
• Let the Chamomile steep for 10-15 minutes then strain it.
• Once the liquid has cooled use it to wash the eyes 1-3 times a day.
• You can also use the liquid as a compress.  Dip a clean cloth into the liquid. Ring out the cloth leaving it damp and hold it over your eyes or the affected area. 

Chamomile will help you track down those illusive Zzzz's and force them to do their job.  Drink a hot cup of chamomile tea to calm the nerves, relieve stress and reduce anxiety (or just because it tastes good).  A cup of this tea can also ease an unhappy stomach and make morning sickness a thing of the past, but talk to your doctor before making it a part of your routine.  Use it for healing but keep in mind the possibility of allergic reaction.  Take a bath with it to attract love and cleanse the spirit.  A few dried flowers in your wallet will attract money and sprinkling it around your property will keep the curses away. There's more information out there so make sure you do some research on your own.


Bright Blessings,

~Amethyst~



***I am not a doctor and I don't play one on TV. Do your research before you consume any herbs via potions etc.

Sources: Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by: Scott Cunningham
The Encyclopedia of Magickal Ingredients by: Lexa Rosean

http://www.witchipedia.com

Stone of the Month ~ June 2012

Stone of the Month for June 2012 ~ Carnelian 

      I decided to go with Carnelian this month because it's a warm and energetic stone that is perfect for the month of June.  I was also inspired to pick Carnelian because of a surprise birthday trip last month. My wonderful witchy friend and co-blogger, Atreya, took me to a gem show for my birthday.  I ALMOST LOST MY MIND!!  This was my first gem show and it was a site to behold.  One giant room filled with crystals was almost too much for my senses and I'm pretty sure I jumped up and down like a child at the circus for about five minutes.  Atreya basically had to put me on a leash and force me to focus on one thing at a time.  There were so many shiny, pretty and huge crystals to look at, I had trouble focusing on one thing for longer than 10 seconds. (Side Note: Do not attend a gem show without a reasonably responsible companion/adult supervision. Had Atreya not been with me, I could have easily blown my paycheck buying every crystal that made me say 'oohhhh pretty'.) I did zero in on a few things though and Carnelian was one of them.  There was a ton of it at this gem show.  So obviously a few pieces had to come home with me.  

     Carnelian is a proud member of the agate family and is easily obtained.  It is made of silicon dioxide and gets it color from varying levels of iron impurities. The impurities cause the orange, red (sometimes pink) and brown banding, stripes and specks.  Carnelian is a beautiful, warm stone that feels silky and smooth when polished. 

Carnelian I purchased at the gem show

Second view of Carnelian from the gem show

Polished Carnelian

     Carnelian has been used in jewelry since ancient times.  Romans used it as small beads set in earrings and larger pieces were used in rings and necklaces and were usually set in gold.  The stone was also carved into cameos and signet rings with images of Gods and personal emblems and was a sign of importance (kings, emperors etc).  Ancient Egyptians also used Carnelian in necklaces and collars, usually in concert with lapis lazuli and onyx.

     Carnelian is a high energy stone that grounds and stabilizes.  It has restorative powers that invigorate creativity, motivation, drive and mental stamina.  Carnelian is helpful with intense and stressful pursuits that require a high level of focus.  Starting a business? Writing an epic novel? Carnelian can help you stay motivated and focused on your target.  It sharpens the mind, improves concentration and keeps your thoughts moving forward.  Carnelian will help to anchor you in the present reality by clarifying perceptions, improving critical thinking and helping you to be in the moment.  This stone is great for daydreamers that have trouble focusing, especially during meditation. 

     A power stone, Carnelian promotes self confidence, personal power, drive and ambition.  Carnelian helps banish sorrow, depression and grief.  It will also protect the wearer from rage, anger, resentment and bad tempers from others and from self.   Use it when you need to make tough decisions regarding your career. 

     Carnelian has been a popular stone for healing since the Middle Ages.  In the Middle Ages it was believed that Carnelian promoted courage, protected the wearer against negativity, promoted courage and dissolved rage/anger.  Ancient Egyptians believed the stone protected the newly deceased on their journey into the afterlife.  Carnelian removes fear of death and helps attain acceptance of the cycles of life. 

    

This stone has a long list of healing attributes.  Use Carnelian to:

• stimulate your metabolism
• overcome impotence
• overcome depression
• lower back problems
• increase fertility and stimulate female reproductive organs
• improve vitamin absorption
• activate base/root chakra
• increase energy

A great and different way to experience the properties of crystals is with water, specifically using energized water or a crystal remedy. For this stone let's make some energized water.

• Place a cleansed stone into a clear glass bottle that is filled with clean, drinkable water. (You can use a tall drinking glass and cover it with a coaster. If you want to make more than just one glass you can use a glass jug.)
• After combining the crystal and the water leave them in direct sunlight for at least one hour (you can leave it out for a full day).
• Once the hour has passed REMOVE THE CRYSTAL and drink the water. This will internalize the properties of the crystal.

Know someone with anger issues or a bad temper? Give them the gift of Carnelian and help them mellow out.  If you've lost track of your personal power Carnelian will help you find it.  Use it to help maintain focus and clear thinking especially when in a stressful situation that requires prolonged mental stamina.  If your a daydreamer that needs help staying grounded in the present moment carry a piece of Carnelian.  The ancient Egyptians and Romans knew what they were doing when they started putting Carnelian in jewelry.  It's powerful, it's a protector, it will help your spirit to the other side and, as with most crystals, it's pretty to look at.  I gave a few points on Carnelian but there is more information out there so do some research on your own.

Bright Blessings,
~Amethyst~

Source: Crystals by: Jennie Harding
The Crystal Bible by: Judy Hall