The Summer Solstice, also known in many pagan and witchcraft traditions as Litha, marks the longest day of the year and the peak of solar energy. It’s a time to honor the sun’s power, celebrate abundance, and connect deeply with the fiery energy of growth, transformation, and light. Whether you're a seasoned witch or just starting to walk the path, Litha is a magical moment to celebrate in meaningful, nature-centered ways. Here are some enchanting ideas to honor the solstice:

1. Rise with the Sun

Start your Litha celebration at sunrise. The solstice is the sun's moment of glory, so greet it with gratitude and intention. You might:

• Meditate as the sun rises

• Say a prayer or chant to honor the light

• Journal your intentions for the second half of the year

Use this quiet, golden moment to reflect on what’s growing in your life and what you wish to cultivate.

2. Create a Litha Altar

Dress your altar in warm, sun-drenched tones like gold, yellow, red, and orange. Add items that resonate with solar energy:

• Sunflowers, marigolds, roses

• Citrine, amber, or tiger’s eye crystals

• Symbols of fire (candles, cauldrons, wands)

• A small bowl of water to balance the fire energy with emotional clarity

You can also place fruits, herbs, or seasonal vegetables to represent summer’s abundance.

3. Make a Flower Crown or Herbal Bundle

Get crafty! Weave together a crown of wildflowers to wear during your solstice rituals or gatherings. Alternatively, create an herbal bundle using rosemary, lavender, mugwort, or sage. You can burn the bundle later in a fire ritual or hang it in your space for protection and energy cleansing.

4. Host a Bonfire (or Candle Ritual)

Fire is the traditional element of Litha. If it’s safe, gather friends for a bonfire or light a candle in sacred space. Fire represents transformation and passion. As you watch the flames, release anything you’re ready to let go of and set intentions for what you want to ignite.

Say something like:

“As the sun burns bright, may my will ignite. I release what holds me back and welcome what brings me forward.”

5. Make Litha Sun Tea or Bake with Magical Herbs

Harness the sun’s energy by making a solar infusion:

• Fill a clear jar with water and herbs like lemon balm, mint, chamomile, or rose

• Let it steep under the summer sun for a few hours

• Sip with intention, visualizing the light infusing your body

Or, try baking something delicious using magical herbs associated with Litha. Think honey cakes, berry tarts, or rosemary bread.

6. Honor the Fae

In many traditions, the Summer Solstice is a powerful time to connect with the fae. Leave out offerings such as honey, milk, fresh fruit, or shiny objects in a natural spot. Be respectful, set boundaries, and don’t take what you’re not given. The veil is thin, and your intuition may be especially sharp!

7. Do a Solar Tarot or Oracle Reading

Pull cards to tap into the energy of the sun. Some spread ideas:

• “What have I cultivated?” (Past)

• “Where is my energy focused?” (Present)

• “What should I illuminate?” (Future)

Use this reading to realign your goals and re-energize your spiritual path for the months ahead.

8. Connect with Nature

Litha is a time to revel in the beauty of the earth. Go barefoot, take a nature walk, swim in wild water, or lay under the sun. Create a mandala with leaves, flowers, and stones. Whatever you do, give thanks to the land and all it gives.

9. Give Back and Celebrate Community

The solstice is about abundance and sharing the light. Consider donating to a cause, supporting a local farm or herbalist, or inviting others to a seasonal gathering. Dance, feast, and celebrate the joy of being alive!

Final Thoughts

Litha is a sacred pause in the wheel of the year. A moment of brilliance, heat, and possibility. However you choose to celebrate, let your heart be light, your spirit bold, and your magic radiant.

Blessed Litha, and may your summer be bright with magic.

Candle Magic for Beginners: How to Manifest with Fire and Intention

Have you ever lit a candle and found yourself mesmerized by the flame? That soft flicker isn’t just for ambiance; it’s one of the oldest tools in magical practice. Candle magic is a simple yet powerful form of manifestation that anyone can learn. Whether you’re seeking clarity, abundance, protection, or love, candles can help you focus your energy and intention in a tangible way. 

In this post, we’ll explore the basics of candle magic: how it works, how to get started, and a few simple rituals to try. 

What Is Candle Magic? 

Candle magic is a type of sympathetic magic meaning it uses symbols and representations (in this case, candles) to influence real-world outcomes. The flame represents transformation, passion, and the spark of your will. When you light a candle with focused intention, you're sending your energy into the universe, asking it to return in kind. 

People have used candle magic for centuries in spiritual, religious, and folk traditions. Today, it's commonly practiced in modern witchcraft, Wicca, and even secular forms of manifestation. 

Choosing Your Candle 

The candle you choose matters but don't worry, it doesn’t have to be fancy. Here are a few tips: 

Color: Each color holds symbolic meaning. For example: 

White: Purity, protection, clarity (also a universal substitute) 

Red: Passion, strength, courage 

Green: Money, growth, healing 

Pink: Love, friendship, harmony 

Black: Banishing, protection, breaking bad habits 

Blue: Peace, wisdom, communication 

Yellow: Success, creativity, confidence 

Size: A small chime candle is perfect for quick spells, while a pillar or jar candle can be used for longer workings. 

Scent (optional): Choose scents that match your goal. Lavender for calm, cinnamon for power, rose for love, etc. 

Prepping Your Candle (AKA "Dressing" It) 

Before lighting, take a moment to “dress” your candle with intention: 

Cleanse it: Wipe it down or pass it through incense smoke to clear lingering energy. 

Carve symbols or words: Use a toothpick or knife to inscribe your candle with symbols, a name, or your intention. 

Anoint with oil: Rub a small amount of oil on the candle. For attracting, rub oil from the top down. For banishing, rub from the bottom up. 

Focus your intention: Hold the candle and clearly visualize your goal. Feel it. Believe it’s already happening. 

Performing the Ritual 

When you’re ready: 

Find a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed. 

Light your candle and say your intention aloud (or silently if you prefer). 

Watch the flame. Let your mind connect with the fire and your goal. 

Sit in meditation, journal, or simply be present until you feel the energy has been released. 

Let the candle burn down safely, or snuff it out (never blow it out, as some traditions say that scatters the energy). 

Simple Candle Spell Example: Attracting Prosperity 

Use a green candle 

Dress it with cinnamon oil 

Carve the word “ABUNDANCE” and a dollar sign 

Light the candle on a Thursday (linked to Jupiter and wealth) 

Say: “Money flows, success grows. I welcome prosperity into my life.” 

Aftercare: Closing Your Ritual 

Always give thanks to yourself, the universe, or any spirits you may have worked with. Dispose of candle remnants respectfully. Some bury wax, others throw it away or keep it as a token until the wish comes true. 

Final Thoughts 

Candle magic is a beautiful way to turn inward, set intentions, and work with the elements. It doesn’t require expensive tools or deep occult knowledge, just a candle, a quiet moment, and your focused will. 

Light up your practice. One flame at a time. 

Get a printable companion to this blog post at my digital Etsy Shop, Drinks & Divination!

Candle & Fire Safety Disclaimer- Please practice fire safety when working with candles. Never leave a burning candle unattended. Always place candles on a stable, heat-resistant surface away from flammable materials. Keep candles out of reach of children and pets. Use a snuffer to extinguish candles instead of blowing them out to prevent wax splatter or fire risk. Do not leave candles burning while you sleep. Make sure the candle is fully extinguished before disposing of wax or moving the container.

By performing any candle ritual, you assume full responsibility for your safety and actions. Use common sense and respect the element of fire.

I chose peace: A life update

 Hi, hello! I’ve been trying to decide where to go with this blog for a while, and recently came to my decision. I figured the best thing to do is to sit down for a life update post and go from there so it’s not completely out of left field and so I can explain the “why”.

First of all, let me reintroduce myself. I’m Emilee. I’m in my late 30’s and I live in Wichita, KS with my girlfriend of 13 years and our 2 cats and dog. We moved to Wichita 2 years ago (you can see that post here), and I couldn’t be more happy with that decision. When I say my life is full and I’m genuinely happy… that’s an understatement. I haven’t felt this happy and at peace in a very long time.

I think I’ll start where I left off in my last post. We had just moved here, I was naively thinking I would get to stay home and work on my businesses. Boy was I wrong. For a few reasons: One, I seriously underestimated how quickly I’d miss being around humans during the day. Looking back now, I wish I had reveled in it a little bit more haha! Anyway, there’s only so many conversations you can have with your pets. Believe me, this was the most surprising part for me. My job before we moved sucked the soul out of me and I HATED being around people because of it, but I did get lonely after about 3 months of it. Reason two, J made enough money for us to pay all of our bills and living expenses, but we didn’t have any “fun money”. Wichita has a lot to do, and without extra spending money it makes it hard to experience the city. I wanted to try ALL the restaurants and ALL the coffee shops. I wanted to check out the boutiques, antique malls, etc etc etc. So, I started looking for a job. I put my resume in at a few places, and I was being very selective. I was fortunate enough to be in a situation where I could be selective. I wanted a very specific job, and that’s exactly what I got. I manifested the shit out of that job!

Since I was working and making great money, I didn’t need Etsy anymore. It wasn’t a sustainable lifestyle for me anymore. I worked full-time now, I was developing arthritis in my hands from working with clay for literal hours every single day, and it wasn’t fun. Etsy for me started out as something I wanted to do for fun, and as it turned out… people really liked my planner clips. Then it became a job. I loved doing Etsy, I truly did. I loved my customers and all the wonderful experiences I got from doing Etsy. My clips were published in several magazines, how cool is that?! I loved every minute of my Etsy shop. When I opened my Etsy shop in 2015 I only worked 28hrs a week at my job, so when I got my new full time job in Wichita I put the shop on vacation to acclimate to my new job. It was then that I realized how burned out I was on my Etsy shop and social media. I took a loooooong break. My intentions were to come back to it when I was ready to treat it like a “hobby” again, but that didn’t happen. I took my shop off of vacation last month and officially closed it. It was incredibly hard for me to let go of my Etsy shop. I had put so much energy and time into over the years, I actually had to give myself time to mourn it. I’m completely at peace with my decision and don’t regret it. I started missing having a creative outlet though, that’s one of the reasons I’m picking up my blog again. I also got really into my bullet journal at the end of 2020 and enjoying that creativity. Since I’m not sharing every page with the world on social media, I’m not critical of my bullet journal, and enjoy it for me. That actually sums up a lot of my personal changes… giving myself permission to do/say/feel what I love/want without caring what other people think. When you have such a heavy presence on social media like I did before (a lot dropped me after I stopped posting pretty planner pictures every day, and that’s perfectly fine) it’s exhausting. There’s so much pressure to post the perfect photos with the perfect filters for whatever aesthetic is popular at the time.

I lost a lot of baggage when I started to live my life for me. My shoulders were lighter and I could breathe easier. This all wasn’t from dropping Etsy, there’s personal relationships that have dissipated too and that’s okay. I think that sometimes people don’t like it when you find yourself and you’re genuinely happy. Misery loves company, right? I have made SO MANY wonderful friends and developed SO MANY wonderful relationships in Wichita. My heart is incredibly full. I can’t really describe it, but I didn’t have a lot of adult “grown up” friendships where I lived previously. I didn’t have an overabundance of friendships there in general. I had a lot of acquaintances and a couple “good” friends. I can’t believe what a difference location and small personal changes have made. I can honestly say I’m thriving. Not just living. Not just surviving. I’m thriving.

During the window from when we moved to when I got a job, I spent a lot of time meditating, doing yoga, grounding, and practicing my spiritual craft. This had a major role in improving me into the person I am today. Happy, peaceful, joyful, and blessed. I spent a lot of time in my head working on my personal demons, past trauma, and doing some real shadow work on myself. I had to forgive myself for things and forgive others for things (or at least let them go and move on). My spirituality is very important to me and I now have the tools to unpack unnecessary baggage and not feel guilty. I have the tools to be the best version of me I can be. I have the tools to listen to the universe. I have the tools to talk to the universe.  Today isn’t the day to get too deep into that, but I will be sharing more soon.

I’ve mentioned how my last job destroyed my soul. I’m not being dramatic. That job made me hate every single day I had to go. I had a good life, and an amazing partner to share it with but I could never been fully happy as long as I worked there. It was so incredibly toxic and genuinely turned me into a mean, grumpy, pessimistic person. I can’t talk about my job because of security reasons, but man oh man do I LOVE what I do. I’m doing something that matters. I’m helping people. It’s a very rewarding job and I love it.

I thank the universe every single day for J getting a job here in Wichita and uprooting my life. Like I mentioned before, we’ve been together for 13 years and it’s been an amazing 13 years. From raising my son into the amazing grown man he is now, to her college career, and now our life in Wichita. These past 2 years in Wichita have been some of the best and I can't wait to see what's next!