Summer Solstice 2021

This year, the June solstice (Litha) occurs on Monday, 21st June, marking the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere. The sun will rise at 4.52am and set at 9.26pm. From now on the days grow shorter and the nights grow longer.
At Litha bonfires represents a reflection of the Sun at the peak of its strength. The chosen wood is often Oak (the King of the Trees) and aromatic herbs were scattered into the fire.  If the Oak is the King, then the Elder represents the Queen. Elderflowers are at their peak too.  Pick them on a sunny day and try the simple recipe for Elderflower Champagne below. Bees are now making honey. the Midsummer Full Moon on the 24th is known as the ‘Honey Moon‘

At Stonehenge, it is the second summer solstice’s celebrations to be cancelled due to Covid-19 safety guidlines.  The Sunset and Sunrise will be live-streamed from Stonehenge for free on English Heritage’s social media channels and will include exclusive interviews and music. Click HERE for more info.

Elderflower Champagne:

Do use screw top bottles – large plastic bottles used for squash etc. are perfect. This solution will fizz and if not bottled tightly it can explode! Because of this risk, perhaps keep it outside in the garden rather than in your kitchen or a cupboard.
Make sure the flower heads are clean and free from any wee beasties 🙂

• 8 litres water
• 1.25 kg sugar
• 8 large elderflower heads
• 4 lemons
• 4 tablespoons mild white wine vinegar

Method:

Boil the water and dissolve the sugar into it. When the water is cool, add the elderflowers,  juice of two of the lemons and slices of the other two, plus the vinegar.
Cover with a clean cloth and leave for a day.
Strain through a fine sieve or piece of muslin, carefully squeezing the flowers to extract as much flavour as possible.
Store in clean screw top bottles.
Leave well alone for 10 days or so. Drink within a month. Enjoy!

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