Summer Lucky Days

by Patricia Telesco

July lucky days: 3, 12, 15, 18, 21, 31…

July is the month of prosperity, resolution to difficult situations, and legal successes. As the Sun warms the air, let it warm your heart; if necessary, ask the universe for insight. Focus on these dates when planning authorized activities, magic for financial stability, or to bring peace and accord.

August lucky days: 6, 11, 14, 18, 24, 30…

Release worries and burdens to a Summer wind and let them move away! These are excellent days for contemplation, peacefulness, and meditation in natural settings. Reclaim your center and be at rest.

September lucky days: 1, 8, 16, 17, 25, 27…

A month of changeable weather and joyous adventures. These are the best days to consider travel, puttering around the home, a picnic with loved ones, or asking for a promotion. The Sun is slowly starting to wane, so our outdoor pleasures should be filled to overflowing.

(The above “Summer Lucky Days” is quoted directly from Llewellyn’s 1994 Magical Almanac, page 170, Llewellyn Worldwide Publications, 1993.)

Summer

by Marian Lore Singer

Standing midst the Circle
I look at faces —
all searching for that special spark
that sense of connection
which spans all words
and worlds.

We come together
to know the same magic
that moved the great stones
birthed the dragons
and touched even the stars
with its mighty song.

Together,
to sense the power
rising within us
like the glory of a summer sun
until we too sing
its timeless ballad.

Together,
until our souls dance hand in hand
with the Lady of Light
and Lord of the Fires
Rejoicing.

(The above “Summer” poem is quoted directly from Llewellyn’s 1994 Magical Almanac, page 169, Llewellyn Worldwide Publications, 1993.)

Midsummer

by JT

Midsummer —
Longest day
Shortest night
Longest light
Shortest dark
The world within
Echoes the world without
Lush foliage, leaves unfurled
Soft springy grass dotted with
Brightly colored flowers peeping through
The earth is green and bright
With warm sunny days
Clear velvety blue skies
Gentle cool breezes
Nature in glory
Our hopes blossom
Creativity flowers
With the season
The seeds of the fruit
Our desires will bear
Can be seen
On the stems
Of our dreams

Summer Solstice

by Rhiannon Cotter

Summer Solstice, the longest day, represents a turning point from Spring to Summer during which the Sun God directs the ripening and blossoming of the grain and fruit. Here in the heat of the Summer, the crops are transformed as are our actions, thoughts and plans. All things are tempered by the heat of the Sun. Blossoming and ripening of our works are manifested, or they shrivel and die in the heat. All the while, sexual energy is growing. The Sun God impregnates the Earth Goddess in a sweet “petit mort”—as the cup is to the Goddess, so too is the athame to the God.

Summer Solstice Ritual Potpourri

Recipe by Gerina Dunwich

45 drops lemon or lavender oil
1 cup oak moss
2 cups dried lavender
2 cups dried wisteria
2 cups dried verbena

Mix the lemon or lavender oil with the oak moss, and then add the remaining ingredients. Stir the potpourri well and store in a tightly covered ceramic or glass container.

(The above recipe for “Summer Solstice Ritual Potpourri” is quoted directly from Gerina Dunwich’s book “The Wicca Spellbook: A Witch’s Collection of Wiccan Spells, Potions and Recipes”, page 162, A Citadel Press Book, Carol Publishing Group, 1994/1995)

Midsummer Ritual Mead

Recipe by Gerina Dunwich

2-1/2 gallons water (preferably fresh rainwater blessed by a Wiccan priestess or priest)
1 cup meadowsweet herb
1 cup woodruff sprigs
1 cup heather flowers
3 cloves
1 cup honey
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup barley malt
1 oz. brewer’s yeast

Pour the water into a large cauldron or kettle. Bring to a boil and add the meadowsweet herb, woodruff sprigs, heather flowers, and cloves. Boil for one hour and the add the honey, brown sugar, and barley malt. Stir thirteen times in a clockwise direction and then remove from heat.

Strain through a cheesecloth and allow the mead to cool to room temperature. Stir in the brewer’s yeast. Cover with a clean towel and let it stand for one day and one night. Strain again, bottle, and then store in a cool place until ready to serve.

Midsummer Ritual Mead is an ideal drink to serve at Summer Solstice Sabbats, as well as during all Cakes and Ale Ceremonies and Esbats.

(The above recipe for “Midsummer Ritual Mead” is quoted directly from Gerina Dunwich’s book “The Wicca Spellbook: A Witch’s Collection of Wiccan Spells, Potions and Recipes”, page 172, A Citadel Press Book, Carol Publishing Group, 1994/1995)

The May-Pole

(Traditional Song)

 

Come lasses and lads, get leave of your dads,
And away to the Maypole hie,
For every he has got a she,
And the fiddler’s standing by.
For Willie shall dance with Jane,
And Johnny has got his Joan.
To trip it, trip it, trip it, trip it, trip it up and down.

Beltane Incense

3 parts Frankincense
2 parts Sandalwood
1 part Benzoin
1 part Cinnamon
a few drops Patchouli essential oil

 

Beltane Oil

5 drops rose oil,
2 drops Dragon’s blood,
3 drops coriander oil.
Use almond oil as a base here

Beltane Ritual Potpourri

Recipe by Gerina Dunwich

45 drops frankincense oil
1 cup oak moss
1 cup dried bluebells
1 cup dried lilac
1 cup dried marigold
1 cup dried meadowsweet
1 cup dried rosebuds and petals
1 cup dried yellow cowslips

Mix the frankincense oil with the oak moss and then add the remaining ingredients. Stir the potpourri well and store in a tightly covered ceramic or glass container.

(The above recipe for “Beltane Ritual Potpourri” is quoted directly from Gerina Dunwich’s book “The Wicca Spellbook: A Witch’s Collection of Wiccan Spells, Potions and Recipes”, page 162, A Citadel Press Book, Carol Publishing Group, 1994/1995)