The Herb Catnip
Using Herbs for Magick at Midsummer (Litha)
Many Wiccans enjoy harvesting and drying herbs at Midsummer, also known as Litha. At its annual height of power, the Sun (representing the God) makes the herbs quite powerful at this time. Wiccans recognize that herbs, so empowered, are best harvested during the Litha Sabbat.
We harvest flowers and plants and hang them to dry during Litha.
Warning: Never use plants that have had pesticides and other chemicals sprayed upon them in your practice.
To collect herbs, you will use a boline, a knife with a curved blade and a white handle. Wiccans use this tool for all of their cutting, from harvesting herbs to carving symbols in candles.
To harvest a herb, cut the plant while leaving a long enough stem so you can tie it in a bundle. Then, hang the bundle upside down. In this way, the plant’s energies will be concentrated at the head of the plant, the part you are going to use.
Hang your herbs in a dry place where there is no direct sunlight—to avoid the sun leaching out the essences you’re trying to capture. Use an attic or if none is available just be sure the area you choose is dry.
Once you’re certain that the herbs are thoroughly dried you can take one of two steps. Either grind them with a mortar and pestle or package the whole leaves of the herb. Be sure to use air tight containers, made of either glass or ceramic. These materials will not contaminate your herbs with chemicals like plastic tends to.
Wiccans enjoy using the energies of herbs in their magic.
Consider expanding your use of herbs, too.
Blessed be,
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