Newsletter: Litha 2025

Midwest Coven Cast
Jun 19
5 min read

Three women in flowing dresses run through a field of purple flowers. Text reads "MIDWEST COVEN CAST" and "Litha." Earthy and joyful mood.

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Celebrating Litha with Flower Magic in the Kitchen

Ritual Suggestions for Litha

Litha Shadow Work Prompt: "If I Were a Flower…"

Coven Coloring Club: Litha is on theme

Southern Hemisphere Shout Out:

Special Thanks to our Patrons!

Calendar

Celebrating Litha with Flower Magic in the Kitchen

The wheel of the year turns once again, and the height of light is upon us. Litha (also known as Midsummer or the Summer Solstice) is a time of radiant energy, abundant growth, and deep connection with natural cycles. As the sun stands still in the sky, we celebrate vitality, fertility, and the full bloom of life. For kitchen witches, this is an especially good time to work with the season’s gifts, especially flowers.

Colorful floral pattern with sunflowers, pink roses, and green leaves on a light background. Symmetrical and vibrant.

In the Midwest, Litha arrives with a bounty of blossoms, many of which are native or naturalized to the region and are perfect for both magical and culinary use. Flowers are not just pretty petals for garnish; they are full of spiritual symbolism and flavor. Below, we explore how to bring the magic of Midwest flowers into your kitchen this Litha.

Here are some beautiful, practical flowers that are blooming or ready for use around Litha in the Midwest. Each carries its own magical correspondence and culinary charm.

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

Though not native, calendula grows readily in the Midwest and thrives in full summer sun. Its golden petals are steeped in solar energy—ideal for honoring the sun at its peak.

Culinary Use: Add the leaves in summer salads or the petals in teas, or infused oils. They have a slightly peppery, tangy flavor and can be used to dye foods a golden color.
Magical Properties: Protection, psychic clarity, joy, and honoring the sun god. Infuse in honey for a bright and uplifting ritual sweetener.

Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa)

Native to much of North America, bee balm (also called wild bergamot) is beloved by pollinators and witches alike. It blooms around Litha in vibrant pinks and purples.

Culinary Use: Use fresh petals in tea or dry them for later infusions. The leaves and flowers have a citrusy, oregano-like flavor and can spice up roasted veggies or bread.
Magical Properties: Attraction, healing, clarity. Add to love spells or rituals calling in abundance and connection.

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)

Coneflowers are hardy natives that bloom through summer and are deeply tied to health and resilience.

Culinary Use: While the roots are most commonly used in herbal medicine, petals can be sprinkled on baked goods or used in tea or as a garnish.
Magical Properties: Strength, protection, spiritual healing. A tea blend with echinacea petals supports constitution and fosters spiritual focus.

Elderflower (Sambucus canadensis)

The creamy blossoms of the elder tree bloom in early summer and have long been revered in folklore.

Culinary Use: Make elderflower cordial or syrup, ideal for Litha feasting and magical cocktails. Use in baking or drizzle over fruit salads.
Magical Properties: Faery magic, protection, transition between worlds. Elderflowers are powerful allies in threshold rites or spirit work.

Lavender (Lavandula spp.)

While true lavender isn’t native to the Midwest, it’s hardy and well-suited to sunny gardens here. It usually starts blooming around the solstice.

Culinary Use: Infuse into sugar, honey, or shortbread cookies. It brings a floral, calming note to beverages and desserts.
Magical Properties: Peace, love, purification. Perfect for Litha recipes focused on soothing the heart or calling in gentle transformation.

Yellow and purple flowers on a speckled countertop, set in a bright kitchen. The scene evokes a fresh, vibrant, and cheerful mood.

If you have never tried using edible flowers in your kitchen magic, perhaps this is a time to start. Always be careful if you forage your flowers - ensure that there were no pesticides sprayed on them and that the flowers are, in fact, edible (and not just a look-alike). If you have questions about whether some flowers are healthy in your own diet, you can consult a physician or dietician.

Otherwise, gather your petals, light your hearth, and celebrate the sun’s zenith with a heart full of joy and a kitchen full of flowers. Blessed Litha, and may your days be golden.

Ritual Suggestions for Litha

Drawing inspiration from our leading article for the newsletter, we have a few flower inspired kitchen witch rituals to help boost your Litha celebrations this turn of the wheel. Here are a few quick and simple ritual ideas using some of the flowers previously discussed.

Sun Tea Spell:Choose a combination of edible flowers—like calendula, lavender, and bee balm—and place them in a glass jar of spring water with a pinch of lemon balm or mint. Set the jar in the sun during the solstice day. As it brews, focus your intentions on growth, healing, and joy. Share it with loved ones as a midsummer blessing.

A jar of honey on a speckled countertop with a honey dipper and lavender sprigs beside it. Blurred kitchen background.

Flower-Infused Honey:Infuse local honey with elderflowers or lavender. Use it to sweeten Litha cakes, tea, or drizzle on bread baked in the shape of a sun. Every spoonful is a spoonful of sunshine.

Floral Spell Salt:Blend dried petals from protective or joyful flowers (like echinacea and calendula) with sea salt and lemon zest. Use it to rim drink glasses or sprinkle on summer meals. As you cook, speak your intention into the mix—blessing your food with vitality and light.

Litha Shadow Work Prompt: "If I Were a Flower…"

At Litha, the world is in full bloom—and so are you. The height of summer invites us to stand in our fullness while also examining the roots beneath our beauty. Take a moment to reflect: If you were a flower or plant, which one would you be?Think beyond surface-level aesthetics. What qualities, cycles, or struggles does this plant mirror in your own life? Does it bloom late or early?

Does it thrive in wild places or carefully tended gardens? Is it vibrant and attention-grabbing, or quiet and overlooked?

What does your chosen plant reveal about how you see yourself—your strengths, your defenses, your needs, and your hidden resilience? Write about how this plant’s journey through the seasons reflects your own personal growth and shadow. What does it teach you about blooming, boundaries, and becoming?

This is a space for honesty. Let yourself be wild, messy, and real—just like nature.

Coven Coloring Club: Litha is on theme

This newsletter is very on theme, so we decided to keep our coloring club offering on theme as well - Litha and all of its glorious blooms await you in these coloring sheets.

This turn of the wheel we have another two coloring sheets for you to fill with your beautiful colors. The first is a small cottage surrounded by gorgeous flowers and the other a honey jar and honey applicator next to sprigs of lavender.

Color these beauties however you’d like and then share your work with us on our socials. Tag us @midwestcovencast so we can see what beauty you brought to the coloring sheets.

Southern Hemisphere Shout Out:

Blessed Yule to our witchy friends in the southern hemisphere! As the darkness begins to loosen its hold, the light will begin to find you once again. For more about Yule and some fun activities, check out the Yule Newsletter we put out when the wheel turned to Yule in the northern hemisphere.

Special Thanks to our Patrons!

As always, we must recognize the support of our patreon coven. Thank you to all, but a special thanks to Steve D. and anonymous – Without you, we could not keep this witchy ship afloat!