Happy Litha!

The summer solstice is finally here! I plan to use every hour to celebrate this wonderful day. If you aren't familiar with the word Litha, here's a good article to get you started: http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/lithathesummersolstice/a/AllAboutLitha.htm

From what I personally understand, the word/term Litha didn't come into existence until sometime in the late 1950's - 1960's in either Wales or England, but has grown in popularity and acceptance within the pagan community.

I remember as a child visiting my aunties in England and they never used the word Litha, instead calling the summer solstice, The Sun's Day. This was a bit of a misnomer since it usually was a bit overcast, but that's London for ya. I remember going to Avesbury one time on The Sun's Day, and it being packed with quite a few hippies, or as my one aunt said, The Bloody Clueless. lol.

Of course, seeing how she had been a nurse in WW2, she'd seen more in one lifetime than most of the privileged 19 and 20 somethings wearing their love beads had perceived in their short existence. lol.

Still though, I did think the garlands in some of the girls hair was pretty cool. :) ::nostalgic moment::
Hmm, I think I'll make solstice cakes. :)

If you'd like to make summer solstice cake, here's the recipe:

Ingredients:
    •    1 cup of real butter
    •    1/2 cup white sugar
    •    1/3 cup Lyle's Golden Syrup (can substitute light brown sugar)
    •    3/4 cup Honey
    •    4 eggs
    •    2 cups flour (can substitute with gluten-free flour)
    •    1 tablespoon grated orange zest
    •    1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
    •    1/4 cup baking raisins
    •    2 1/2 teaspoons of freshly squeezed lemon or orange juice
    •    1 teaspoon Rosewater for blessings of Love.
    •    3 Pinches of Basil for the blessings of Health, Protection, and Prosperity.
    •    3 fresh lemon or rose scented Geranium flowers for blessings of Happiness.

Preparation:
    1.    Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    2.    Cream butter and sugars until fluffy.  Add honey and syrup, blending well.
    3.    Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
    4.    Add flour in thirds, mixing well after each addition.  Then add remaining ingredients   (EXCEPT flower petals), and mix well.
    5.    Pour HALF the batter into a 9-11 inch round spring form pan.  Add a layer of petals, and cover with the remaining batter.
    6.    Bake about an hour.  Let cool and remove outer ring of spring form pan.  Turn out onto a serving platter.

Dust lightly with a powdered sugar if you wish, you can also garnish with a few fresh strawberries, raspberries, lemon/orange zest curls.