Summer Solstice (Litha or Midsummer) is the longest day of the year with sun shining beyond 8PM. It is a celebration of the Sun, warmth, and the mother aspect of the Goddess. Sun deities, mother Goddesses, and the fae are all revered on this night of heat and sultry debauchery. To read more on this specific high holy day of the pagan calendar read 15 Simple Ways to Celebrate Litha (Midsummer Sabbat) over on our sister blog, The Otherworldly Oracle. If you’re well-versed in the traditions of Litha, continue reading to try our powerful simmer pots for Summer Solstice.

Though our ancestors celebrated the Sun for keeping them warm, especially those who lived in harsh environments, the sweltering heat of summer doesn’t often inspire thoughts of cooking hot dishes or cozy houses filled with warmth. But don’t let the outside heat deter you from creating magick in the kitchen during summer solstice – especially making magick with low heat or no heat.

What is a simmer pot?

Traditionally, a simmer pot is a placed on the stovetop with water and a concoction of ingredients for the purpose of creating a natural potpourri. The purpose of this is to then bring it to a boil, turn the heat down, and allow it to simmer on low for hours. Doing this allows the infusion to steam and spread wonderous aromas, and warmth, throughout your home. You can stop the simmer pot when all the water evaporates or you can refill it to keep it going as long as you like.

When witches create a simmer pot we do so not only to make our homes smell delicious and feel snug but, also, to infuse magick into the atmosphere. We do this by selecting ingredients that align with the intentions we wish to permeate our dwelling space. Made with all natural ingredients and essential oils, it won’t remind you of the old, dried, overly putrid, crusty potpourri on the back on grandma’s toilet circa 1990.

How to simmer without the excess heat

There are two ways I generally like to avoid the heat of a simmer pot in summer while still infusing my home with magical intentions and salivating fragrances. The first is to use my kettle to boil water and then pour it over my pot of ingredients. The pot will steam for as long as the water stays hot (typically 45 min to an hour). When it goes cold you can either drain the pot and boil new water or you can end your simmer session.

My favorite and most used way to simmer in summer is to use my crock pot/slow cooker! Slow cookers release far less heat into your home than a stove or oven. For this method, I recommend getting a small – no bigger than 3 quart – one to dedicate to crafting natural potpourri.

First, I place a small a amount of water at the bottom of the slow cooker and crank it to its highest setting while I gather, slice and crush my ingredients. Once finished, I boil water in my electric tea kettle (you can do this in a regular tea kettle, in a pot, or even in the microwave). I then place the ingredients into the slow cooker and pour the boiling water from my tea kettle over top. I give it a good stir clockwise (or counter clockwise depending on my intentions) and leave the lid off. This boiling water allows the ingredients to begin releasing their natural bouquet while the slow cooker heats up.

4 Simmer Pots for Summer Solstice Recipes

Midsummer is a time to celebrate the Sun, the day, love, fertility, prosperity, abundance, healing and divination. Midsummer is also prime time for prophesies in various forms and for those who are akin to faeries or who have a close bond with them. While not as thin as the cross-quarters of Samhain/Beltane, the veil between worlds remains gossamer this time of year.

The stove, slow cooker, or kettle method for simmer pots are all perfectly acceptable for the recipes below. All herbal ingredients dry though fresh can be used if preferred. All fruits should be fresh so that their juices can permeate the brew.

Simmer Pot for Summer Solstice: This House Got Sol

This recipe is to celebrate the magick of the sun. It’s warmth, courage, generosity, fertility, light, and protection just to name a few. There is also an alternative recipe for those in Australia. Those in Australia may wish to use a recipe compiled in majority of native plants, or who wish to substitute any number of native plants associated with the sun.

• 2 parts Chamomile
• 2 parts Calendula
• 1 part Eyebright
• 1 part Sunflower and/or Peony petals
• 1 Lemon sliced
• 1 Pineapple sliced
• Bee carcass (optional and does not smell but adds to the intentions of fertility and prosperity)

(Alternative Australian Recipe for This House Got Sol Recipe Above)

• 1 part Wattle
• 1 part Snakevine
• 1 part Yellow Cone Flower
• 1 to 3 Lemon Bottlebrush flowers
• 3 Cinnamon Sticks
• 20 drops Lemon essential oil

Cruel, Cruel Summer Simmer Pot

Raise the vibration in your home with this one. Aptly named, the ingredients in this recipe encourage, uplift, protect, ward off negative energy, draw in love and allow for wishing. Also be sure to have a permanent marker on hand to write wishes on the Bay Leaves. As the pot simmers, so too will your desires. This is one of our favorite simmer pots for Summer Solstice:

• 2 parts Sunflower petals or 2 whole sunflowers
• 1 part St. John’s Wort
• 1 part Vervain
• 1 part Black Tea
• handful of strawberries cut in half
• 6 whole cherries
• 20 drops Cedarwood or Rosemary essential oil
• Snake shed (optional and does not smell but adds to the intentions of change and transformation; a small piece will do)

Midsummer Night’s Dream

If you’re a hedge rider and wish to speak to, see, fraternize, or petition those in the realm of Faerie, start this simmer pot in the late afternoon. This works best when also using a flying ointment at dusk or later. It contains offerings and herbs specific and invitational to the Fae as well as ingredients to encourage second sight. Read Witch’s Flying Ointment: A History & Non-Toxic Recipes for a quick ‘how to’ in flying ointment crafting or for easy-to-follow recipes.

WARNING: This should only be used if you have previously established a relationship with the fair folk. They are not the fairies of Disney and, if done incorrectly, this simmer pot could bring unwanted mischief and strife.

• 2 parts Rose or Primrose petals (white or red roses are best)
• 1/2 parts Thyme
• 1 parts each of Oak, Ash, and Hawthorn bark
• 1 part Eyebright
• 1 part Wormwood
• 1 quart of Blackberries
• 2-4 tablespoons of Honey

Fruit Salad Simmer Pot

This simmer pot recipe is sure to bring an island state of mind from the sands of the beaches to the shores of your front door. It’s a mixture of citrus and tropical fruits, and their essential oils, that produce a mouth-watering scent and might even tempt you into forming a conga line!

• 1 sliced Lemon
• 1 sliced Lime
• 1 sliced Orange
• 1 sliced Pineapple
• 1 sliced Mango
• 15 drops Orange/Orange Sweet essential oil
• 15 drops Lemon essential oil

Meet Resident Writer: Allorah Rayne

Allorah Rayne is a practitioner of witchcraft and has been part of the online spiritual community since 2012. She is a Virgo sun, Pisces moon, and Leo rising. Her introduction to tarot was at the age of nine and she pursued more intensive learning at fifteen. Allorah is the founder of The Wayfaring Witch © where she offers soul origin profiles, tarot and oracle card readings, and individualized mentorships in the ways of the witch. She is also the co-founder alongside Kitty of Burning Hallows Productions which produces The Otherworldly Oracle Official Podcast and Mimir’s Well podcast. You can contact Allorah at the following social media sites Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, on The Wayfaring Witch © website via live chat, or by e-mail at allorahrayne@gmail.com