Litha (pronounced LEE-tha) also known as the Summer Solstice honors the longest day and the shortest night of the year falling around or about about June 20th in the Northern hemisphere.
It is also known as Midsummer or St. Johns day. The energy surrounding Litha is about abundance, growth, magic, love and masculine energy.
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Basic Information on Litha
The name Litha is most likely the Anglo- Saxon word for June. It refers to the time of year when the sun god has reached his greatest strength; most commonly celebrated throughout Northern Europe. The tale of the Oak King and the Holly King refer to the solstices and the epic battle between light and dark.
*This should not to be confused with Good and Evil. Light and dark are neither good nor evil.
It is also a time to honor the fairies and other spirits of nature as well as finding balance between fire and water.
Fun Fact: Litha is all about honoring the Masculine Solar energies when its at its zenith. It is also the Day that the astrological sign of Cancer moseys into the sky; Cancer is ruled by the moon or feminine energy. Both the Sun and the Moon are honored at this time of year which make you wonder if even the Universe was pointing out that we need to find the balance between the masculine and feminine energies.
Historically, Litha was called Gathering day in Wales. It was the day that the locals would head out to the wild places to gather medicinal and magical herbs. Similarly, In other parts of the British Isle, St. Johns Feast was also known as Herb Night:
“St. John’s wort doth charm all witches away.
If gathered at midnight on the Saint’s holy day.
Any devils and witches have no power to harm
Those that gather the plant for a charm…”
St. John’s wort was only one of the many herbs that were gathered on this magical day, and kind of ironic since it was the herb gatherers and medicine women that were most likely accused of witchcraft.
Historical
The ancient Celts celebrated by building a bonfire for a number of reasons. First, the fire, smoke and ashes were used to purify their home and drive evil spirits away. Secondly, it was believed the bonfire would stimulate the sun long enough to let the crops continue to grow until harvest season. And thirdly, it was a tool to bring good luck and fortune for the coming year.
In this respect, the Irish took it a step further in true crazy Irish tradition. Young men would take turns jumping over the bonfire to ensure good luck through the next year. Afterward, young couples would also jump the fire to ensure a happy marriage.
Modern Practices
Modern practices tend to lean more toward Inner Power and brightness.
Litha is most famously celebrated as Stonehenge, a monolith in Southern England that was believed to mark the solstices where Pagans have been gathering in numbers since ancient times. This year (2020), English Heritage is hosting a live-stream on their Facebook page, because of the social distancing rule related to Covid-19.
Its still a good time to gather herbs for magical uses as well as working love magic and hand fasting rituals.
William Shakespeare’s play Midsummer’s Eve depicts the strange energies at play during this night. The play is colored with a host of fairies and romantic liaisons.
Even if you’re less inclined to promiscuity, its still a common practice to engage in sex magic… among consenting adults of course. This was common throughout Northern Europe
“MidSummer Night is not long but it sets many cradles rocking” ~Swedish Proverb
Activities For Litha Celebrations
- Build a bonfire,
- Hang tiny bells to trees to attract fairies,
- Celebrate the power of the sun by spending the day outside (bbq, picnic, day at the beach)
- Renew vows and dedications to the Lord and lady.
- Perform family abundance rituals, hand-fastings and weddings
- Perform tool blessing rituals,
- Retell the tale of the oak king and the holly king
- Engage in a sex magic ritual by yourself or with a consenting adult.
Altar decorations & offerings
Use sun colors to decorate your altar; yellow orange, red. Add some solar symbols such as suns, discs, equal armed crosses. Give offerings of seasonal fruits, vegetables, flowers, Oak trees and acorns
Prayer/Chant
Garden Prayer for Litha ~ author unknown
Small plants, leaves and buds,
growing in the soil.
O fiery sun,
may your rays of light and warmth
bless us with abundance,
and allow these plants to blossom with life.
Journal prompts
The days have been growing longer, the gardens have been growing lusher. What in your personal life has grown and flourished?
The solstice is a magical time but real magic comes from inside ourselves. Take some time to write about your own magic: What does your magic like and how you feel about it? Is there something blocking your magic? What can you do to manifest more magic in the coming months.
Consider all the symbolism of fire as we take time to honor the flaming ball of gas in the sky and all the warmth and life-giving rays it sends us. What does Fire symbolize for you and how can you use this energy to better you life?
Here’s to a wonderful Litha and Solstice Celebration.
Curios about other Pagan Celebrations? Check out these posts.
