The Lead-up to Litha

Seasonal celebrations for the Summer Solstice and a recipe for strawberry and elderflower Victoria sponge ☀️

Litha - the Summer Solstice on 21st June in the Northern Hemisphere - is the celebration of the longest day and shortest night as the Earth tilts closest to the sun. Here in Scotland the days seem endless, dusk almost meeting dawn and the darkness never complete. It’s a time to celebrate high Summer, take stock and slow down as an antidote to the hustle and bustle of everyday life that can become overwhelming as Summer arrives - and often with it a pressure to have plans, be out and about and “make the most of” the good weather (even if the weather has other ideas). Litha celebrates light, warmth, growth, fertility and abundance, a reminder of balance in the natural world, the rhythm of the seasons and forces larger than ourselves. It’s a time I will always cherish, as Baby L was born near the Solstice, and I’m looking forward to seeing Summer anew through his wide-eyed gaze. Here are five ways that I’ll be celebrating this coming month in the lead-up to the Solstice – I hope you join me.

Fire and Light

In folklore, the Summer Solstice was a time when people believed that ‘witches were abroad’ - that is, that there was a spiritual presence. Traditionally, people would light fires to ward off evil creatures and celebrate the sun. Others believed that seeing a “Fae” or faeries in the middle of standing stones was good luck for the coming year. These days, introducing the symbolism of light and fire to Solstice celebrations is a way to connect with these past rituals. Perhaps a beach bonfire, a barbecue, or even just lighting a favourite candle or two for a special meal at home? Or what about watching the sunset from a vantage point near you, basking in the light and taking time to journal or set intentions for the Summer ahead?

Time to Grow:

The Celtic calendar was organised around the farming year, with many traditions linked specifically to the growing seasons: at the Summer Solstice, folks would perform rituals to celebrate abundance and guarantee a good harvest. I’m going to sow some more pea seeds to harvest as pea shoots in a few weeks’ time (there are instructions in my book, Slow Seasons), and I have planted up cosmos, dahlias, coreopsis and geums along with tomatoes, courgettes, blackcurrants and blackberries in our growing collection of pots in our communal garden. Fingers crossed they thrive and that the slugs don’t get them! Whether you have a small patch for pots, a balcony, a windowsill or an allotment or garden, I hope you can find time to nurture something from seed to flower or food this Summer - there is no feeling like getting your hands in the earth, especially at this time of year.

Floral Celebrations

After a hot, dry spell followed by heavy showers here, the flowers seem to be in full flush earlier than ever. Midsummer is traditionally a time of wearing and decorating with flowers so if you needed a sign to treat yourself to a bunch of blooms from your local florist or go foraging for wildflowers, the Solstice is a good reminder to bring a little outdoors indoors. A few jam jars or bud vases with just a stem or two of flowers go a long way - a single rose with a stem of cow parsley has just as much impact arranged in bud jars dotted along the table as a huge bunch of blooms, if you ask me. Find your local growers via Flowers from the Farm and support sustainable flowers this coming British Flowers Week. Wildflowers are abundant at the moment too, from hedgerow to woodland, garden to roadside - just ask the landowner’s permission first. There are lots of flowery projects in Slow Seasons that I’ll be revisiting this month, including making flower crowns for Midsummer.

Elderflower Folklore

To me, June and the ascendence towards Midsummer is synonymous with the delicate blooms of elderflower. Here in Scotland they have just burst into flower, and I’ll be topping up my cordial supplies very soon. According to ancient Scottish folklore, the Elder is a sacred tree and even contains a spirit called an “Elder Mother” who lives inside the tree and possesses magical powers – hence its long-regarded medicinal nature (mainly thanks to its magical, Vitamin-C-filled berries). Fairies were said to congregate by Elder trees during Litha, and as such it is commonly associated with protective qualities and rebirth; its branches were hung over front doors to ward away evil spirits during the Celtic festival of Samhain. With all that history, it’s clear to see why it is so special. Forage your own elderflower on a warm, sunny morning and choose flower heads where the buds are fully opened and creamy white in colour. Lovely to make cordial, elderflower champagne or to use in baking - speaking of which…

Strawberry and Elderflower Victoria Sponge

The Victoria sponge is a stalwart of British Summertime; layers of light sponge sandwiched with fruit and cream conjure up seasonal nostalgia, memories of Summer birthdays and village fêtes. This variation is a twist on the British baking staple with an elderflower sponge, sweet homemade strawberry jam with a dash of elderflower, and cream. The strawberries really complement the delicately fragrant elderflower and would make a perfect treat for Midsummer gatherings. To make it, you will need :

175g self-raising flour
175g sugar
175g butter
3 large, free-range eggs
2 tbsp elderflower cordial
For the filling:
Approx. 6 tbsp strawberry and elderflower jam (alternatively, fold a tablespoon or two of elderflower cordial through the cream to get the flavour instead)
200ml double cream.

Preheat the oven to 160C Fan.

Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy in a stand mixer or by hand with a wooden spoon.

Add the eggs to the mixture one at a time with the cordial and a little flour.

Fold in the rest of the flour until fully incorporated.

Pour the mixture into two 20cm lined tins and bake for approx. 25 minutes until golden and a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Once baked, allow to cool a little in the tins, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Spread the jam on top of one of the sponges.

Whip the cream to stiff peaks (be careful not to overmix) then spread on top of the jam.

Place the other sponge carefully on top of the filling. Sprinkle with icing sugar and serve.

Let me know if you make the cake! What are you celebrating this month?

If you enjoy my seasonal newsletters, do consider joining us in my paid subscriber community for more regular posts. Together in this wee corner of the Internet we are creating a beautiful community of like-minded old souls who want to slow down, simplify and connect with the seasons. Here’s a flavour of what I’ve been posting over there this last month:

Beltane Reflections

Slow Decorating: Bedroom Two, Part Two

Strawberry and Fennel Seed Cakes

No-Sew DIY Bunting

Sow, Grow, Harvest, Rest Reading Group: May

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Thanks so much for being here! See you next month xxx

You can find more seasonal musings, recipes, crafts and lifestyle ideas in my book, ‘Slow Seasons’, which you can order here.