Volume II
Fire element. Fruit and seed.  
Astrobotany, remedies and osmetics in connection with the rhythms of nature 

Author: Ana Gayoso
Illustrator: Alberto Miralta
Photographer: Juan Castro

In this second volume we continue walking towards the light, which is now at its maximum expression. The burning and passionate fire will take us through its signs to one of the most extreme poles of the year, the coagula pole, the most sulphurous moment of the solar cycle.
In the first chapter, when the Sun passes through the sign of Cancer, we will prepare a ritual to celebrate Litha and the summer solstice, a feminine and mercurial sign to complement the most sulphurous moment of the year and, at the same time, the gateway to darkness. We will learn about the distillation process to obtain universal mercury or Spiritus Vini, also known as brandy; also the different types of liquors and spirits and how to prepare ratafia: the plants used, the different versions and other aperitif liquors.
In the second chapter, when the Sun passes through Leo, we will learn about a ritual to thank and bless the harvest that the earth has given us: it is time to celebrate Lammas or Lugnasad. The protagonist here is the Sun and everything that its power implies; we will learn how to protect ourselves from it safely, but also how to enjoy its virtues. We will learn how to prepare all the cosmetics necessary to care for our skin, protect it and nourish it with vitamins, oils, extracts and sunscreens, the most suitable ingredients and how to formulate them.
In the third chapter, we will close this element when the Sun enters Virgo and the fruit becomes a seed. This chapter is a tribute to some very special, brave and wise women who populated our lands and who did a beautiful job: the trementinaires.
We will learn about their history and the process of obtaining turpentine, a magical ointment that cured everything. And since it is about women healers, we will also learn how to prepare our summer medicine cabinet with remedies, plants and different preparations to have on hand when the ailments characteristic of this time of year appear.