This is a day full of summer related things. Although, I doubt that we here will actually
see much of the sun today (it’s still
overcast and rainy). But, just in
case you’re not aware, today is more than just the First Day of Summer. (And
aren’t we all wondering if summer starts today, what will August be like since
the 90°+ temps started in May.)
Today is also the Summer Solstice – the longest day of the
year. The sun has reached its zenith in
the sky and from now on, the days will grow shorter, the nights longer.
It’s also Litha or Midsummer
“I know a bank where
the wild thyme blows,
Where oxlips and the
nodding violet grows,
Quite over-canopied
with luscious woodbine,
With sweet musk-roses
and with eglantine.”
― William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream
In times past, nearly every agricultural society marked midsummer
in some way. Bonfires were lit on tops
of hills, by holy wells, and at sacred places to honor the fullness of the Sun. People danced around the fires and leapt
through them. Special herbs were used to
bless the animals. Coals from the Litha
fire were scattered on fields to ensure a good harvest.
“The Sun God has reached the moment
of his greatest strength. Seated on his greenwood throne, he is also lord of
the forests, and his face is seen peering from countless leafy masks.”
Litha is a time to let go of old patterns and what does not
work for you anymore.
So, what fun to do today?
Well, how about making Elderflower Champagne. Do we have Elder shrubs here? Why, yes we do.
Elder plant (Sambucus), is an overlooked herb and mostly, it’s
considered a weed here. However, it has
medicinal and flavoring qualities that were much prized in times gone past.
Growing an Elder plant is not all that difficult. It can
tolerate poor soil or soil that is stays wet. The thing it cannot tolerate is drought. So, during the dry spells, you will need to
water it frequently and well. They like
full sun. These shrubs get big – 6-12
feet tall and nearly that wide. They
propagate via suckers that pop up in the yard, so they might be a tiny bit invasive.
And
here’s something to think about, is the wood produced by your elder bush really
the same that created the famed Elder Wand in the Harry Potter saga?? I think it is. So, add wand production to the other uses.
But they do produce pretty clusters of white flowers from early
spring to midsummer. Then they produce
small black berries.
Elderflower has been used in traditional medicine for its
antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. The most common use was for colds and flu,
sinus infections, and other respiratory disturbances. Elderflower has antibacterial and antiviral
properties and was taken in a tea to boost the immune system. It has been used as a poultice the help reduce
pain and swelling.
The bluish-black fruit are used in wines, juices, and jellies.
You remember ---
“For a gallon of elderberry wine, I take one teaspoon
full of arsenic, then add half a teaspoon full of strychnine, and then just a
pinch of cyanide.” Arsenic and Old Lace
The berries are quite bitter, so they are rarely eaten by
themselves.
OK - Elderflower Champagne
Pick the flowers in the fullness of a sunny day, ideally on
Midsummer's Day (this recipe comes from
England – here you should pick them earlier because by midsummer, they are
mostly done). Oh and I’ll leave all
the conversions to you.
8 liters water
1.25 kg sugar
8 large elderflower heads
4 lemons
4 tablespoons mild white wine vinegar
Do
use screw top bottles - like the large plastic soft drink bottles.
This stuff will fizz and if not bottled tightly it can explode! Make sure the elderflowers are clean - no
little wandering insects or bugs.
Boil the water and dissolve the sugar into it. When
the water is cool, add the elderflowers, juice of two of the lemons and slices
of the other two, plus the vinegar. Cover
with a clean cloth and leave for a day. Strain
through a fine sieve or piece of muslin, carefully squeezing the flowers to
extract as much flavor as possible. Store
in clean screw top bottles. Leave alone
for 10 days or so. Drink within a month. Enjoy and give thanks to the Spirit of
Elder.
Blessed Be
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