At the summer solstice, Litha, or “Midsomer” as I like to call it, I like to harvest herbs I plan to use in the coming year for magickal and healing purposes. The sun is at its peak on this day and the plant world is lush and abundant in its growth.
Some people might wonder, “Why the name Midsomer?“Isn’t this the beginning of summer? It depends on which calendar you use. In the old Celtic calendar summer starts at Bealtaine around the first of May, so the solstice falls midway between the beginning of summer and harvest, near the beginning of August. Makes sense if you live in an agrarian society in ancient Britain!
This year I decided to harvest flowering herbs for my Midsomer Altar, and fragrant herbs for a large smudge stick that would combine the powerful solar energies of this day.
Roses must always be in my bouquets if they are available. Their high vibrational energy is one of the most powerful in the plant kingdom.
Then I filled out the arrangement with solar type flowers (those with ray like petals like the sun ). Sun colored flowers were the next addition. Then there was lavender. I love its shape and scent in a bouquet! And lavender is so healing – perfect for this healing time of year.
Next, I started gathering my herbs for my special smudge stick. I wanted a really big and fat one! I cut native white sage, 2 kinds of native blue sage, sagebrush, rosemary and lavender.
I bundled up all my fragrant herbs and I added some red roses as well.
I tied cotton string around the bunch and wound it around and around, up and down several times. Then I tied off the string, trimmed the herb bunch and I will hang the smudge stick to dry before burning it. Any time I need to add a little extra solar like power to an area I will use this smudge. Can’t wait to experience that yummy smell!
Being a green witch, many of my sabbat activities revolve around the plant world. The fae have been good to me this year and I’ve been blessed with an abundance of color and fragrance in my little corner of the planet.
May your blessings be many at Midsomer and throughout the rest of the year!
Sarina
The Magickal Cottage 