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Summer

In summer Mother Earth Sighs. The trees sway in their fullness and breath in the warmth of the Summer Air. Daisies dance with morning dew and sunflowers greet us with a smile in golden hues that tribute their namesake. The Sun is at it’s Strongest, and we spend so much time worshiping his light. From the ocean shores to the open campfires, Nature beacons us to come and play.

Fairies Dance their joyful and mischievous dances on Midsummer’s night and can be spotted, for those who take the time to look, dancing ever still at dusk in July and August. As the Tomatoes ripen, and the herbs grow wild, their most magical time is upon us. The heat of the Earth warms bare feet as the harvesting of wild flowers and basil keeps us occupied even as the fireflies begin to glow on a warm summer night.

So often in summer we come out of our sacred Kitchens and do so much cooking on an out door grill. However we prepare most of our meal inside, and so bringing Summer in to the Kitchen will assist in all things magical. Dress your alter with summer flowers like Sunflowers whom mimics the Fire energy of the Sun and seem to smile at us as we enter a room. Harvest herbs from your own garden, or even from the local grocery. Hang them about your kitchen to dry. As they do their aroma will fill your sacred space with inspiring scents. Decorate with the bright colors of Summer; even throwing a vibrant tablecloth in the kitchen can change the mood and atmosphere of your space. Summer calls us to the beach, to water, to shade trees and fireworks. Your Kitchen can reflect the spirit of Summer. Display shells collected on a beach trip on your alter to bring the Sea and all it’s life giving power into your home. Celebrate the first Harvest holiday in late summer with grains and food you have grown in your own garden, or grown locally.

Try these recipes for your Summer Celebrations:

Cucina Aurora Tomato Bruchetta

Tomatoes are at the height in summer. Huge red fruits that weigh down the vines, which grew them. Abundant and fresh they embody friendship and love energy. The garlic wraps them in protection. This refreshing summer appetizer protects the friendships we have the love we will have and helps us to except love and friendship into our lives. I demonstrated the preparation of this delightful dish at a Workshop in Maryland and the Crystal Fox, and I am happy to say that I made many friends that day and I hope to protect and hold close those friendships for a long time. Many people asked for this recipe and so I share it here now for all to enjoy! Have fun my Friends!!!

Perfect Potato Salad

Potatoes are one of those rare foods that are available and in season just about all year! Remembering always that Potatoes are for grounding and keep us connected to the earth. While washing these potatoes think of roots running from your feet to the Earth. Envision your self planted in ground. Imagine the cool dirt soothing your feet in the heat of Summer. Share this chilled side dish on hot days to remind you of the soothing coolness of the earth where these potatoes grow.

Refeshing Watermelon Salad

Watermelon is a food of the Goddess. It's shape reminds us of the Goddess in her fullness at summer time. This refreshing salad has been a huge hit at all my Summer classes due to the interesting combination of Watermelon mingled with cucumber. Cucumber has quite a bit of God energy due to it's phallic shape. Combine the two for unity of Male and Female and to celebrate what the Lord and Lady have to offer in the abundance of Summer!

Roasted Corn with Herb Butter

Corn is abundant at Lammas. But it is not just a wonderful seasonal food. It's energy celebrates the God in all his fire glory. The shape of corn is masculine and it's color represents the golden, and life giving Sun. Corn is a symbol of the cycles of life and eternity. Try these easy ways to enjoy corn in a new way for this time of year!

Corn and Pineapple Salsa

Corn is abundant at Lammas. But it is not just a wonderful seasonal food. It's energy celebrates the God in all his fire glory. The shape of corn is masculine and it's color represents the golden, and life giving Sun. Corn is a symbol of the cycles of life and eternity. Try these easy ways to enjoy corn in a new way for this time of year!

This is a very simple and quick dish to make. Yes, of course the tomatoes here are a Love food and it is very wonderful to use that magical property. However, being that this is a Midsummer recipe focus on the fresh herbs. Herbs are at their Height of magical potency at midsummer. The magic here begins when you harvest these fresh herbs. If you have them in your own garden wait until just before cooking to harvest them. If you are buying them from a local market store them in small glasses of water for about a day on your alter to revive any magic in them that may have been lost on their way to your kitchen. As you add each herb one at a time to this sauce thank each herb for it's magical properties and say: Garden Herbs kissed by Moonlight and nurtured in Sunlight Basil, I thank you Prosperity to my hand Parsley, I thank you Purification to my spirit Oregano, I thank you Peace to my restless mind By the Mother Moon and Father Sun So Mote it Be.

Fresh Herb Pomodoro Sauce

This is a very simple and quick dish to make. Yes, of course the tomatoes here are a Love food and it is very wonderful to use that magical property. However, being that this is a Midsummer recipe focus on the fresh herbs. Herbs are at their Height of magical potency at midsummer. The magic here begins when you harvest these fresh herbs. If you have them in your own garden wait until just before cooking to harvest them. If you are buying them from a local market store them in small glasses of water for about a day on your alter to revive any magic in them that may have been lost on their way to your kitchen. As you add each herb one at a time to this sauce thank each herb for it's magical properties and say: Garden Herbs kissed by Moonlight and nurtured in Sunlight Basil, I thank you Prosperity to my hand Parsley, I thank you Purification to my spirit Oregano, I thank you Peace to my restless mind By the Mother Moon and Father Sun So Mote it Be.

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