Midsummer's Matriarch

The matriarch of this Jasminian* (daughters of the original Jasmine from the Seven Daughters of Eve) clan was turning seventy on the day of the Solstice. It was going to be a huge event for their family, but only their women had been invited or called forth. It was more than a birthday celebration or even a Midsummer's festival. It would be a bonding.

Every year her birthday had passed without much ado. And not much thought or importance had been placed on the meaning or history behind the fact that each and every year since the beginning of creation, earth experiences the longest day of the year, as it marks the beginning of a new summer season.

Maybe their Aunt Emily had known about all of this and the folklore past. She had followed the Almanac religiously, with the times and days and moon phases for planting her garden guidelines strictly adhered to. In fact, she wouldn't even cut anyone's hair unless the book followed the astrological sign that was most fruitful for hair growing back thicker and healthier. Funny thing was, she was always right.

But Aunt Emm had passed years before and most of the family had long since forsaken the gardening skills. The older ones now tried their best to remember her wisdoms and crafty skills for canning fruits and vegetables, making jelly, and such.

Now the current matriarch would be a Septuagint on Midsummer and it was agreed that some traditions needed to be passed down and shared. At least, new memories should be made. So, Rena decided to organize the birthday celebration with the theme of Midsummer or "Litha." Rena was Elana's (matriarch) only sister. Together they had three daughters, eight granddaughters, and two great-granddaughters.

Rena enlisted Elana's daughters, Tina and Beth in the event planning. It was decided that each part must match a folklore ritual associated with Litha.

Since "the word “solstice” comes from the Latin words “sol” (sun) and “stitium” (still or stopped),"* they decided to fashion a huge birthday card cut from a yellow poster in the shape of the sun and have each person write the reason why that Grandma Elana's presence could "slow down the sun."

Tina was quick to remind the other two planners that Elana wouldn't like too much "paganism" associated with her birthday, and in lieu of the cultural findings that "some Christian churches recognize the summer solstice as St. John’s Day to commemorate the birth of John the Baptist,"* they would also make a giant poster which read, Happy Birthday on St. John's day and include the following Scripture (that would surely make her happy):

Beth spoke up and said she would like to handle the food and drink choices. Being a millennial, she quickly googled this site:

After reading the part, "The foods of Litha include yellow, orange, and red vegetables and summer fruits like strawberries, since those are at their peak and represent the color of the sun. (It’s also why we call the June Moon the Strawberry Moon.) Honey is another popular ingredient in Litha recipes as it represents the sweetness of the season and was used to make mead," Beth definitely decided on several bottles of honey Mead for the adults and lemonade with honey for the under-aged participants.

She planned a menu with strawberries, red and yellow apples, orange slices, cherry tomatoes, cantaloupe, cucumbers with dill, and watermelon. She would have fresh baked bread to represent the Greek tradition of Kronia that she had learned about, too. * There would also be honey-butter to go atop that oven-warmed bread for their luncheon.

"Before Christianity, ancient Northern and Central European pagans (including Germanic, Celtic and Slavic groups) welcomed Midsummer with bonfires. It was thought that bonfires would boost the sun’s energy for the rest of the growing season and guarantee a good harvest for the fall."* The men and boys in the family had decided to have a bonfire that night on their overnight camping/fishing trip. (They would keep it simple and roast wieners and marshmallows.)

"Midsummer was a crucial time of year for the Vikings, who would meet to discuss legal matters and resolve disputes around the summer solstice."* (The men in this family would probably be discussing sports and maybe a bit of politics, but as far as resolving disputes, it might only involve who won the lasted boxing matches on ESPN.) They would, however, look for June's strawberry full moon, appearing on the Solstice, as promised.

Rena said that she would be responsible for the table coverings and decorations. There would be yellow, gold, and red candles dispersed with lots of sunflowers in vases atop the green tablecloth for their garden party.

She would also buy the supplies needed for a crafting session for making flower wreaths to wear as their crowns. They would all feel like fairies.

Tina reminded them that she despised "crafting," but she did agree to making miniature fairy gardens with the younger girls. She would tell them all about the fairy lore of Midsummer: " During the summer solstice, the veil between our world and the fairy realm is quite thin. Celebrate and honor the fairies by gathering bouquets for your home or fashioning flower garlands for your head. Tie together birch, lavender, marigold, rosemary, and sage to hang over your door or inside your home for protection and healing. Make a moveable paper doll fairy, and as you construct and decorate it, concentrate on a Midsummer wish. Leave an offering for the fairy folk on Midsummer’s Eve: moonstones, crystals, or anything sparkly."**

Tina bought an assortment of crystals to add to the fairy gardens they would make along with some gold "fairy dust" to sprinkle about.

Tina also enlisted the help of her daughter, Elise to do the birthday cake for Grandma Elena. Elise loved baking and was very talented in making fancy cakes and cupcakes. She decided on this "Sun Cake" recipe:

Grandma Elena had the best birthday ever that year, surrounded by love and laughter. That day left lasting memories and impressions in their hearts, and each woman and girl child grew in strength, knowing that they belonged to a close-knit clan of determined and loving, unbreakable long line of female warriors. Maybe this hadn't been their first Midsummer's celebration. Maybe it had been in their bloodline for untold centuries...maybe Grandma Elena had been destined to be born on Litha. (And the men and boys? Well, they always knew the women in their family were powerful and bewitching...and they'd rather be fishing!)

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