“Time glided onward without our noting, Soft as the fall of the summer rain.“
Lady Wilde
I’ve been a busy bee harvesting herbs constantly! Lots of mint, anise hyssop, bee balm, spotted bee balm, nasturtium, St. John’s wort, calendula, mugwort, yarrow, borage, lavender, chamomile and elderberry flowers. I’m enjoying watching all of the spring harvested herbs like parsley, thyme and oregano bloom and support local pollinators.
Traditionally, many plants were harvested on or around the days of the Summer Solstice. Herbs picked on these days were thought to have increased healing properties. Indeed, many spring and summer herbs at this point in the season are reaching their peak time to be harvested when their flavor and medicinal properties are best.
This is because it’s a time when many plants are approaching flowering. It’s thought that herbs are often best harvested before flowering (unless the flower itself is medicine) because the plant’s energy is still mostly stored in the leaves whereas after flowering, the energy goes into the flowers. The flowers of herbs are usually still edible but they take on a slightly different flavor and medicinal value. Of course, the leaves are still usable as long as they’re in season, but just simply not as potent or flavorful.
The Summer Solstice taking place in the northern hemisphere June 21st or the 22nd is one of the oldest celebrated events in human history and this is attested to how many ancient structures are aligned to the event as well as historical records. Stonehenge is undoubtedly the most popular example but others such as Dombeg, Carnac, Callanish Stones and Ring of Brodgar are also all aligned to the longest day. Tales of midsummer adventures are very prevalent in old folklore and even Shakespeare was inspired to to write his famous ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’. The long evenings and days likely brought people out in many various celebrations that lasted well into the early hours of the next day. Ancient spiral symbols as well as the four sectioned sun cross may have had strong power as sigils, as well as flowers that were orange or yellow, in essence harnessing the sun’s strong life force at this time of year.
“The sun god reaches the height of his power, As all the plants are now in flower, The longest day brings us strength and vigour, As we pursue our aims and goals with rigour. Love is fulfilled in the warmest of days, Blessed by the fertilizing Sun god’s rays, Summer fruits ripen and fill us with pleasure, In carefree moments we will always treasure, All of nature is filled with sweet bliss, Fruitfulness blesses each honey-soaked kiss, Now is the time of abundance and light, We rejoice in days so happy and bright, Knowing that we grow in wisdom and might.”
Silver Witch
One plant that was of particular importance around the Summer Solstice was St. John’s Wort. In the Carmina Gadelica by Alexander Carmichael (1900) there were many rhymes preserved in regards to the precious herb and its use in Scotland. One example is, “I will pluck thee with my right hand, I will preserve thee with my left hand, Whoso findeth thee in the cattle fold, Shall never be without kine.” This harkens us back to very ancient practices of harvesting herbs on specific days, during certain cycles of the moon and using very specific methods or phrases in how the plant is picked, very much ritualistic in nature. The plant was thought to ward off second-sight, enchantment, witchcraft, evil eye and even death. It was so powerful in fact, it would increase the yield of crops. However, it had to be found accidentally similarly as the four leaf clover. It was particularly prized when found in the fold of the flocks of cattle, auguring (predicting) peace and prosperity additionally to the herds throughout the year. Both men and women in Scotland would carry it somewhere secretively on their person as a ward against negative influences and again, to increase prosperity.
The Ivy Cottages 