by Ellen Dugan
The season of summer is upon us now, the garden is in full swing, so why not take advantage of the flowers and plants that are available to us and work a little magic with the spirits of nature and the tides of the Moon as we celebrate this lush and fertile season of summer. We have three prime days for summertime magic this month: the Flower Moon on June 18, the Summer Solstice on June 20, and the old Mid-summer’s Eve, which is celebrated at dusk in June 24.
For a Flower Moon celebration you can easily incorporate any white of pink blooming flowers in the garden.
The rose is a prime flower for summer magic – some traditions even call the June Full Moon the Rose Moon. Try white roses to honor the Moon and the Lady, pink roses to promote friendship and gentle affection, or red roses to work a sultry summertime spell for love.
A Full Moon Love Spell
Work the following Full Moon spell outdoors. Sprinkle some fresh rose petals all around you in a circle. Use white petals to honor the Moon Goddess -and the Fairies, red for desire and passion, and pink petals for the fun and joy of being in a romantic relationship.
Repeat the following verse, and save a handful of petals to close out the spell:
On this, the longest night of the Full Flower Moon,
I ask the Goddess to grant me a boon.
White flower petals for the Lady, and red petals for desire,
Pink petals for joy and the fun they inspire.
Now increase romance, send loving passion to me,
By rose petals and the power of three times three.
As I will, so let it be!
Now look up to the Full Moon, blow the Goddess a kiss, and toss the remaining rose petals up as high as you can. Leave the petals where they fall, and know that romance is on its way.
A Summer Solstice Celebration
To celebrate the Summer Solstice, try working with the cheerful sunflower. Just as you’d expect, this flower has the planetary aspects of the Sun, and in the language of flowers it symbolizes success, fame and riches. Imagine a Sabbat celebration with golden candles and tall stems of yellow sunflowers arranged across the work area. Light the golden candles and turn to face the Sun. Announce out loud your goals for a successful life. Then repeat the following verse three times:
On this, the longest day and shortest night,
O work to bring my hopes and dreams to light.
Like a golden sunflower, I turn to face the Sun,
Grant me success and happiness, and let it harm none.
Allow the candles to burn in a safe place until they go out on their own. Let the sunflowers dry out and then let the birds have the seeds as a snack.
Ritual for Midsummer’s Eve
For Midsummer’s Eve, you could try your hand at fairy magic. Faeries love fragrant flowers like roses and blooming herbs. And don’t forget those ferns! Ferns are sacred to the fairy folk, and adding a few fern fronds to your Midsummer bouquets is a sure way to honor the power of the fairy kingdom. Daisies, yarrows and lavender should be blooming now, so put those blossoms together and weave a little flower fascination for good luck and prosperity in the coming year. Create a small flower bouquet and tie it together with pretty ribbons.
Now take the fairy bouquet and go to a place in nature, and repeat the following charm:
At this time of Midsummer’s Eve, the Fae are all around,
On this ancient day, it’s said, fairy magic shall be found.
This bouquet a;; wrapped in ferns, I offer you as a token,
Grant my request for good luck and health, as this charm is spoken.
Be sure to leave that little bouquet outdoors for the fairies. Allow nature to reclaim it.
Have a magical summer!!