Solstice Blessings…

or for those in the southern hemisphere, a Magical Midwinter 🙂

 

Midsummer Night’s Dream Quote #1

I know a bank where the wild thyme blows

Where oxslips and the nodding violet grows

Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine

With sweet musk roses, and with eglantine

There sleeps Titania, sometime of the night

Lulled in these flowers, with dances and delight

And there the snake throws her enamelled skin

Weed wide enough to wrap a Fairy in…

Herbs for Midsummer Magic

Many herbs are said to be at their most powerful at Midsummer, so it is a great time to work a little herb magic.  Consider using any of the herbs listed below, which are all associated with an aspect of Midsummer, whether it is the Sun, the element of Fire, the Fae, or Midsummer itself…

Herbs associated with Midsummer

• St John’s Wort
• Lavender
• Ferns

Herbs associated with The Sun

• Dandelion
• Oak
• Chamomile

Herbs associated with the element of Fire

• Rosemary
• Mustard
• Basil

Herbs associated with the Fae

• Herb Robert
• Lily of the Valley
• Elm

Crystals for Midsummer Magic

If you are planning any magical workings or rituals to celebrate Midsummer, consider including one or more of the following crystals, who have associations with the Sun and / or the element of Fire…

Citrine

The Sun, the element of Fire, prosperity, success, optimism

Carnelian

The element of Fire, creativity, action, energy, strength

Sunstone

Midsummer, The Sun, the element of Fire, upliftment, creativity

Amber

The Sun, cleansing, optimism, healing, protection

Red Jasper

The Sun, security, grounding, action, courage

Celebrating Midsummer: Vanilla and Caramel Cupcakes

This recipe was written with the Summer Solstice in mind, and focuses on the use of colour to represent the longest day of the year.  The sponge is golden, the buttercream a deep yellow – gold, the fudge is a rich golden colour, and the cupcake cases, yellow…all colours associated with the Sun.

Perfect for picnics and outdoor festivities…

Ingredients

• 4 oz caster sugar
• 4oz butter / margarine
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 oz self-raising flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 4 oz caramel flavoured milk-chocolate
• 8 ozicing sugar, sifted
• 2 oz butter / margarine
• fudge, cut into little cubes (optional)

Recipe

1. Preheat oven to 180°C and line the cupcake tray with cupcake cases.
2. In a mixing bowl beat caster sugar and butter / margarine until pale.
3. Beat the eggs into the mixture, one at a time, before adding in the vanilla extract.
4. Sift the flour and baking powder into the mixing bowl and fold into the mixture.
5. Distribute the mixture between the cupcake cases and bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes, until cooked and golden.
6. Allow to cool on a wire rack.
7. To make the butter cream, melt the caramel chocolate in the microwave, and leave to cool but not set.
8. Whilst the chocolate is cooling, beat the butter / margarine with the icing sugar.
9. Fold the chocolate into buttercream.  Add a little milk if the mixture is too thick.
10. Sprinkle with little cubes of fudge and allow icing to set.

Enjoy!