Summer Guest Series: The Enchanting Summer by Kelly Hernandez (Eye of the Cat)

The Enchanting Energy of Summer

What an awesome time for campfires, friends, family, food, and all the joys that come with warm evenings, late sunsets and open windows! Eating the food I’ve grown is one of my favorite summer activities. Tomatoes and basil for fresh summer salads, green beans, peas and all the fun climbing veggies that create a wall of food. Nothing compares to the taste as well as that amazing feeling you get sharing something you nurtured and grew.

Dining al fresco is a simple yet profound pleasure of summer. Whether it’s a backyard barbecue, a picnic in the park, or a rooftop dinner under the stars, food tastes better when paired with fresh air and good company. Summer’s enchantment thrives on togetherness, bringing families and friends closer through shared experiences. The season’s social calendar is brimming with opportunities for connection and celebration.

Summer Outdoors

The sun, while a symbol of summer, is also an essential source of Vitamin D. Spending time outside boosts mood, energy levels, and overall well-being. However, practicing sun safety is crucial—sunscreen, hats, and hydration are non-negotiable.

Summer is synonymous with festivals. There are music festivals, food truck gatherings, street shows, local farmer’s markets, and our community markets that honor the handmade items of practitioners as well as offering services such as readings and healings, these events provide a sense of community and shared joy.

DIY Summer Pest Remedies

One of the most rewarding aspects of summer is the chance to immerse ourselves in the natural world and reconnect with nature. Whether it’s the call of theocean waves, the allure of mountain trails, or the serenity of a blooming garden, summer invites us to step outside and feel the earth under our feet. However, Blood-sucking insects are nature’s paradox. They are both a nuisance and an integral part of
the natural world. Their bites can turn a peaceful evening into an itch-filled ordeal.

There are a number of natural ways to protect your crop, your sin, and your blood. Checkout these witch-approved, enchanting summer folk-magick remedies:

• Peroxide helps to get rid of the soil bugs that damage the roots.
• Egg shells and used coffee grounds provide an amazing nutrient when it’s powdered
  and added to soil.
• Vinegar (any kind) and water in equal amounts neutralize urine keeping plants and
  grass green from pets that share your enthusiasm for the outdoors. Keep a little in a
  spray bottle for ease.
• Apple Cider Vinegar kills mosquito and flea larvae.
• You can make a natural incense blend to deter those famished flying infuriating
  insects. Blend any or all of the following to add to your fire or to create a loose
  powdered incense for burning in the cauldron. Sage, rosemary, lavender, lemon
  balm, and/or citronella. Use a citrus fragrance or woody fragrances to add your own
  touch.
• Avoid floral scents, particularly jasmine, gardenia, rose, and geranium. Flies
  and mosquitoes love these!
• Gnats? Water, apple cider vinegar, and a little dish soap. Works faster than most
  store brands and so much less expensive. Put some in a cup and walk away!
• If the flies are resilient to your apple cider vinegar, add a few drops of honey.
• And, as a last resort if the flies are really obstinate, get a large jug like an old juice or water
  bottle and a funnel. Reserve your tuna oil or water as much as you can and add a few shakes of Worcestershire or fish sauce then double that with water. For every cup of water add a teaspoon of dish soap. Set it in the sun to warm that delightfully putrid aroma. Keep the cap so you can seal it and toss it (unless you have a particularly nasty neighbor… then re-gift it.) Wash and bag the funnel for the next time you need to create a vile potion of “poison* fly-death”. *If an animal does get to it, they will have a tummy ache, but no harm will come.

Enchanting Summer Self-Care

While summer is often associated with activity and adventure, it’s also a time to focus on wellness and self-care. The season’s slower pace can be an invitation to nurture both body and soul. Mindful relaxation is essential. Amid the hustle and bustle, it’s essential to embrace moments of stillness. A hammock under a tree, a good book, or simply watching the clouds drift by can be profoundly rejuvenating.

Summer inspires the spirit of creativity, awakening our creative spirit in unique ways. With longer days and a sense of freedom, there’s room to delve into hobbies and projects that may have been left on hold. At its heart, summer’s enchantment is about embracing the moment. It’s about chasing sunsets, feeling the grass beneath your toes, and letting laughter echo under the open sky. It’s about slowing down to savor life’s beauty, whether in the vibrant colors of a summer market, the cool relief of water on a
hot day, or the melody of crickets in the evening.

As the season unfolds, let it remind you to live boldly, love deeply, and cherish every golden moment. Summer is fleeting, but its enchanting memories can last a lifetime.