Summer Solstice Oil by Stephanie Rose Bird

      One of my absolute favorite oils is this silky combination of flower blossoms and essential oils of a specially formulated green-witchy massage oil. I want to share this with the rainbow of Goddess-loving global women in celebration of Litha.  This oil is called Summer Solstice Oil and it is designed with various elements of our sacred holiday in mind.  First of all, there is the color—a golden yellow which reflects the attention to the sun central to Litha.  Then there are the following ingredients selected to be nourishing and magickal at once. 

Peach kernel oil 

     This oil ties in well with the tantric sensuality implicit in Summer Solstice.  This delightful oil heightens the sensation of touch, transmits energy well, making it a great therapeutic massage oil.  The slightly yellow oil is easily absorbed by the skin. 

Sunflower oil 

      The symbolism in this oil is obvious.  Sunflower oil lends an additional reminder of the sun as the oil is pressed from the seeds of the heliotropic sunflower.  This is a gentle, non-greasy, nutritive-rich botanical oil. Whereas peach kernel oil is quite expensive, sunflower oil is easy on the purse, making it a sustainable extender in this massage oil. 

Calendula 

      This flower also has a direct relationship to the sun—in bearing, shape and color.  Calendula brings luck and prosperity.  The flowers can be picked while leaving the stem and leaves intact, hung upside down away from direct sunlight until dry (they should feel crisp and papery when ready).  Calendula has many medicinal qualities—it is antibacterial, antiviral, soothing to irritations, gentle and has low allergen sensitivity levels making it safe even for most babies.

Frankincense 

      Frankincense is revered in the same Egyptian culture that also revered the sun enough to have daily rituals revolving around Isis and the sun god, Ra.  This is both a ceremonial and medicinal herb.  It is used as an offering to the great gods and goddesses of Egypt.  It is a boon to the skin, reducing acne and oily tendencies by acting as an astringent.  Frankincense is a superb wrinkle-reducer and is very aromatic.  In spiritual aromatherapy it is thought to open the way to higher realms within the universe and the dimensions of the self—conducive to cultivating spirituality and contact with the akashic dimension. 

Carrot Seed Oil 

      This antioxidant oil is derived from the dried seeds of wild carrot popularly known as Queen Anne’s lace.  This is one of nature’s wonderful natural preservatives; carrot seed oil is also an organic skin smoother and soother known to reduce anxiety and stress.  It increases sexual desire, desirability and appetite for love (among other things!) 

Petit grain 

      Derived from sour orange stems, bark and leaves this oil still retains the sunny orange’s quality but in a more subdued form like sun dappled leaves on the forest floor (think:citrus meets woodsy).  Petit grain is uplifting to the mood and a good conditioner for the skin, with a wonderfully aromatic scent that makes blends it contains feel unique. 

Kyphi 

      Scent your work with sensuality out of this world, space and time by lighting Kyphi.  Keep it smoldering on bamboo charcoals during your magickal herbalism work which follows.  Kyphi is an original incense of complex botanical design utilized in ancient Egyptian sun rites. You will find incense made from the authentic recipes of  Dioscorides'  Edfu  and Galen's  at Alchemy Works, 643 Newtown St., Elmira, NY 14904, 

URL: http://alchemy-works.com/incense_index.html \

      Handful calendula flowers 

      4 ounces peach kernel oil 

      8 ounces sunflower oil 

      1 ounce carrot seed oil 

      6 drops frankincense essential oil 

      4 drops petit grain 

Makes approximately 13 ounces; lasts for about a year stored in a cool dry place; kept clear of contaminants. 

      At high noon, crumble handful of dried calendula flowers into a screw top glass jar. Stay calm; be thankful to each of the plant substances you are using, call on them to release their energy on your behalf with a prayer or meditation; breathe slowly, deeply and evenly; work the petals hard to refine them using your hands, spiritual energy and intent; call on the fire elements, Pele and Brigid to facilitate your work; also focus on your heart’s desire for your solstice elixir. 

      Pour peach kernel oil over the worked flowers followed by 8 ounces sunflower oil.  Add carrot seed oil.  Swirl to mix.  Seal jar.  Store 4-6 weeks; swirling gently every other day (odd days).  This will mature your mix and extract medicinal qualities from the flower blossoms.  Strain by pouring through a fine sieve to remove petals. 

      Oil should be a wonderful golden hue by now.  Scent with frankincense and petit grain. Use as head massage, foot massage, hand massage, body massage or sacred sacral chakra tantric work.

Stephanie Rose Bird is the author of Sticks, Stones, Roots and Bones: Hoodoo, Mojo and Conjuring with Herbs, http://www.amazon.com/Sticks-Stones-Roots-Bones-Conjuring/dp/0738702757 and Four Seasons of Mojo: an Herbal Guide to Natural Living, http://www.amazon.com/Four-Seasons-Mojo-Herbal-Natural/dp/0738706280/ref... which also contains numerous ceremonies, rituals, spells, and herb craft suggestions.  Her soon-to-be released book, Sacred Wood: African tree Medicine for a New World focused around tree spirituality.  Bird hosts the yahoo group International Clan of the Eclectics http://groups.yahoo.com/group/International_clan_of_the_eclectics and a column in “Sage Woman” magazine called “Ase: from the Crossroads.”  She is a regular contributor to www.naturallycurly.com and blogs on amazon.com under her book’s listings.