Litha With The Hippy Hedge Witch

To many, the solstice means a culmination of something.Around the world, the sun is now rising and setting as far north as it ever does. After today, the sun will begin its subtle shift southward on the sky’s dome again. Thus even in summer’s beginning, we find the seeds of summer’s end.Druids celebrate the summer soltice as Alban Heruin "light of the shore"

In Ireland Aine Queen of the Sidhe in Munster was a midsummer Goddess.

And look at dawn for 3 rays of light over the water,for in Druid tradition this is Awen of Cerridwin....she whose cauldron brings inspiration and is the source of magical power.

From mid-summer to June 29th the Fey are believed to travel abroad creating chaos or giving

gifts to favored mortals.A wonderful herb to offer up for the Fey this night would be Meadow sweet as the fairies used its scent to throw off the hounds that hunt them.This is the day to weave Daisies and Vervain into your hair and dance.

My Litha has arrived Bright Hot and not a breath of air stirring.My veggies are burgeoning with produce ready to be picked. The scent of my gardens and the cornfield across the road is heady and sweet.

Midsummer is the season to gather and dry herbs and to work magic with them.So around here its a working holiday lol.I have been busy all day harvesting and will continue until the wee hours of the morning. I started this morning by Picking Meadow Sweet ,Yarrow ,Beebalm ,Sage,Vervain and Marjoram.All of which will be used for either wreaths, potions,teas,tinctures or oils and of course my Altar and Cauldron.

Since this is a wonderfully Magical time to impart an extra zing of energy to any of my crafts. Next I gathered Mugwort,Grape leaves,Basil and Corn to make poppets with.Late tonight I'll sit at the head ofmy Fey garden with my cauldron smoldering and work.

I stuff all my poppets with Mugwort since its such a great herb for invoking magic.It grows nation wide in most states and to most is a weed .However no matter how plentiful I could'nt resist when I was offered a piece of Golden Varigated Mugwort a few years ago and I just love it!

Corn Poppets can be used for lots of different purposes and once made for a specific purpose are easily customized . My first few poppets will be fairies these I'll stuff with Mugwort > for Magic ,Meadow Sweet to keep their scent from the hounds,Frakincence (my gift to them) and Basil which is favored by all Fey.One will be for their garden ,one I'll burn in my cauldron to keep the hounds from their realm on my property .As always one or two made tonight will be tucked away for the coming years use. After that will come fertility poppets for ritual use and also I have a friend trying to conceive .These will be filled with Mugwort ,Grape leaf, Apple Seeds and Rose petals.Finally I'll make a few "blanks" filled with only Mugwort to be imprinted with a purpose later.This year I planted a lovely Siam Basil to use .It has a pungent spicy aroma and lovely purple tops.This should make for a heady aromatic poppet that will surely please my Fey.

Right before I came in I picked a lovely sunflower for my Litha bouquet.Which this year is a perfect Sunflower ,Mugwort, and Corn .

So there you have it Blessed Day all ;)

By seed and by root, by leaf and by bud, by life and by love, we draw down the moon and begin the summer

* From "Worlds They Fall and Rise" by Mike Heron and Robin Williamson.