August 

(Poem for Virgo)

Virgin August! come in thy regal state

With soft majestic grace and brow serene

Though the fierce lion’s reign is over past

The summer’s heat is all thine own as yet

And all untouched thy robe of living green

By the rude fingers of the northern blast

r.j. philbrick

Song in Late Summer

Soft and blue are Thy robes, my Mother,

Azure and clear as an angel's eyes - 

Let me hide in them, oh, my Mother - 

Radiant Queen of the summer skies!

Softly piled on the far horizon

Smoky white clouds drifting here and there;

These the border on your blue mantle - 

Mother most holy...Virgin most fair!

Deep and blue and wide as the ocean - 

Deep as the call of it's peace to me;

Jeweled and shining...Thy veil, my Mother?

Thy silvered veil, oh Star of the sea?

Edith M. Stoney

During the glorious summer days, a depressed and lonely heart sometimes seems more pervasive.  We often feel as if the warm sunshine should be able to light our spirits, or that with so much of life buzzing around us, we should be able to shake the doldrums.  But this is not always the case.

To cast a spell to drive away a despondent and melancholy mood, first cast a circle by drawing a circle in the air with your athame.  Walk clockwise in a circle, paying respect to and honoring each of the four directions.  Thank Mother Earth and Father Sun for their gifts and know they are with you.  Call in another spirit guides to assist you in this rite.  Ground yourself by the sending your energy deep into Mother Earth.  Feel the connection with you and all that is.

Light a blue candle.  Direct all your loneliness, hurt anger and depression into the fire of the candle.  Watch the flame grow.  Listen for the still. small voice of the Mother.  Hear the words you long to hear:  "It is OK to be sad. This hurt will pass. I AM WITH YOU." Feel the warm embrace of the Mother and the Father.  Ground yourself with their Divine love by turning your palms upward to receive the warmth of the Sun God, sending your energy downward toward Mother Earth.

You will feel much lighter, and the wave of depression shall be lifted and taken away from you.

Ingredients for the Lammas Cooler:

1/2 cup (120ml) Bosenberry puree (recipe follows)

1/2 cup(120ml) freshly squeezed lime juice (12-14 limes)

6 TBS superfine sugar

3 cups (720 ml0 mineral water, chilled

mint sprigs, for garnish

2 cups (44 grams) fresh boysenberries

2 tablespoons sugar

To make the puree, place the berries and sugar in a blender.  Whirl until smooth; strain, discarding the seeds/

In a small mixing bowl, stir the p`uree, lime juice, and sugar until the sugar is dissolved.  Divide the mixture into highball glasses filled with ice. Stir in the mineral water and garnish with mint springs.

*p122, The Wicca Cookbook  Wood and Seefeldt