Litha The Summer Solstice Litha is more commonly referred to in many traditions as Midsummer, and it celebrates the summer equinox. While recognized for time passage purposes, this day was not specifically celebrated by many ancient cultures. However, it has evolved as an important Sabbat within the wheel of life. Its roots can be found in many older (but not ancient) Celtic practices, and was thought to be a time when faeries worked their greatest magics.
As pagans, we use this time to prepare for the coming harvest season. All around us, the earth is showing full fertility, just at the time when the Goddess and God have reached full sexual maturity. The Goddess is pregnant with child, just as the earth is bringing forth grains and fruits. And the God stands tall in prime of youth. Some traditions recognize this time as the point when the Oak and Holly kings battle, just as they did at Yule. Only at Midsummer, the Oak King wins.
We now recognize the Goddess in her aspect as a young mother, and the God has now reached full maturity. Some of the Goddess worshipped at this time are Aphrodite, Freya, Zoe, and Dana. The Gods would include Apollo, Lugh, the Dagda, and any of the Sun Gods.
Litha is a time of gatherings, whether gathering herbs or having a gathering of friends. Many use this time to also gather with older relatives, giving recognition to the wisdom they have passed on to us. Because June’s moon is known as the honey moon, some pagans use this time to gather honey to brew into mead. The mead is then incorporated into the ritual in place of wine, and is served along with honey cakes.
Activities you can do to celebrate the Sabbat include taking a walk in the woods, photographing wildlife, dancing in a summer storm, or just enjoying a summer sunset. You can bring in summer flowers and press them or dry them for use throughout the year. Some sources also suggest basking in the warmth of the sun but given the concerns about skin cancer, I wouldn’t recommend it.
Individually, this is a time to reaffirm our commitment to the craft. As we recognize the increasing fertility of the world around us, we seek to increase the spiritual growth and awareness within us.
Magick associated with Litha: daring, fulfillment, healing, love magick, male magick, overcoming fears, physical endeavor, purification, sensuality, sustenance, turning point, and worldly affairs.
Altar decorations: blades, chalice or cup, faeries, flowers, fresh herbs, fire symbols, fruit, gold jewelry, mistletoe, oak leaves, potpourri, roses, seashells, spirals, summer flowers, sun symbols, thunderbird.
Colors: blue, gold, green, red, tan, and yellow.
Foods: ale, fresh fruits and vegetables, fruit wines, homemade jams, mead, oranges and lemons, pumpernickel bread, salads, .
Herbs / Incense / Oils : carnation, chamomile, cinnamon, cinquefoil, copal, daisy, elder, fennel, fern, feverfew, five finger grass, frankincense, hemp, honeysuckle, ivy, lavender, lemon, lily, meadowsweet, mint, mistletoe, mugwort, myrrh, oak, orange, pine, rose, rue, saffron, St. John’s wort, thyme, verbena, vervain, wisteria, and ylang-ylang.
Stones : diamond, emerald, jade, and tiger’s eye.
© 2000 Mother
