Chamomile - an herb of the sun, Chamomile's bright yellow flowers bring
power
and light to your space and rituals.

Chickweed - While primarily a Lunar herb, chickweed - interestingly similar
to many other Solstice herbs - encourages one to see things more clearly.

Chicory - another herb of the sun, Chicory can be used to transcend life's
obstacles. Chicory can help overcome financial binds by inspiring a more
frugal
focus.

Cinquefoil - An herb of abundance, Cinquefoil is an herb of the harvest and
of the aspects of Nature Goddess. It is said to carry the ability to make
one's
true desires manifest, so use with discernment.

Delphinium (Larkspur) - It is said that if you gaze at the Midsummer fires
through a bunch of Delphinium, your eyesight will improve.

Dogwood - Like it's faithful namesake, rely on Dogwood for protection.

Elderflower - Panpipes were often made from elder stems, but gather wisely
or
the Elder Dryad will haunt those that cut her wood without permission.
Instead of cutting, sleep under and Elder tree at Midsummer's Eve to see the
King of
the Fairies parade by.

Fennel - Hang Fennel on Midsummer's Night to repel evil spirits. The rest of

the year, carry Fennel when you speak truthfully and others will trust your
words.

Figwort - Toss this herb to smoke on the Midsummer Fire and your home will
be
protected throughout the year.

Hemp - Hemp can help you divine your life's love on Midsummer. It is said
that if you scatter the seeds around a church or sacred space, you will
receive a
vision of your intended before the dawn.

Lavender - Lavender is laid on the fires of the Summer Solstice as an
offering to the union of the Goddess and God, both in equal power at this
time.

Male Fern - Dry the fiddleheads over the Midsummer fire and use them in
protections

Meadowsweet - Sacred to the female forms of the Divine at this time of year.

Mistletoe - While the use of the herb is more commonly associated with Yule,

Mistletoe is considered most powerful when gathered on Midsummer's Eve.

Mugwort - Wear a crown of Mugwort at Midsummer, or drink a tea to envision
what the next turn of the Wheel holds. Beyerl tells us, "Working like a
tonic
for one's soul, it helps us remain aware of our spiritual direction".

Pine - In this aspect, Pine is used for its properties of purification. It
represents the Male aspects of the Divine at this time. Consider burning
Pine
with Meadowsweet for an incense of energetic balance.

Rose - Also symbolizing the feminine, red is the color of choice for Roses
used or gathered at Midsummer. Long associated with the eternity of true
love,
at Midsummer this flower also blesses the Sacred Union.

St. John's Wort - The Welsh called this plant the "leaf of the blessed",
believing it to be the ideal combination of water with fire, and thus
between
light and dark, night and day, making it a perfect celebratory herb at
Midsummer.
In Brittany the herb is still gathered with ritual reverence and a prayer
and
question of permission is given before harvesting, as picking the plant
represents the dismemberment of the God as Summer Lord, and the Great
Sacrifice.
Harvest time is Midsummer for drying over the Solstice Fires, or for soaking
in
an olive or almond oil for a beautiful ritual oil.

Vervain - A sacred herb of purification, Vervain is traditionally gathered
either at Midsummer, or ideally, at the rising of the Dog Star when neither
the
sun nor the moon are in the sky. I have to add Frankincense to the list.
Long
associated with Solar Gods, Frankincense has also been linked with several
Lunar Goddesses, thus incorporated the balance between them as well. If
you're an
herb gardener as well, remember that trimming your herbs back at this time
of
year, or just before they bloom, will give longer life and an increased
harvest to your fresh herbs.
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