Litha: Celebrate the Summer Solstice
The Sabbats: The Pagan Wheel of the Year
The Pagan Wheel of the Year is marked by eight Sabbats, spaced approximately every six weeks. Four of these Sabbats are marked by the solar calendar, either by a solstice or an equinox.
Solstice is the time twice yearly when the Sun reaches its maximum or minimum declination, marked by the longest and shortest days. Conversely, the equinox occurs twice annually when the Sun crosses the equator, and day and night are everywhere on earth of approximately equal length.
Cross-quarters make up the other four Sabbats, marking the middle of each season.
History of Midsummer, Litha, and The Summer Solstice
Summer Solstice marks the longest day and shortest night of the year when the Sun is at its highest point in the sky. It marks the last day before the Sun diminishes to its lowest point at Yule.
The word solstice comes from the Latin word solstitium, which translates to "sun stands still." Litha is the Sabbat that celebrates the Summer Solstice.
Litha is all about the element of fire. Ancient Pagans believed this time was when the sun god was at his most potent.
In some traditions, Litha is the battle between the Oak King and the Holly King. The Oak King was said to win until they battled again in six months at Yule, when the Holly King would be triumphant.
Early Europeans used to set large wheels on fire and roll them down a hill into a body of water, representing the balance of fire and water.
The ancient Romans celebrated the summer solstice as a festival for Juno, the goddess of women and childbirth. June was named for Juno and remained a popular month for weddings and handfasting.
Midsummer celebrations started around 8700 B.C. Midsummer began as a pagan ritual for fertility and a successful harvest during the Stone Age. The pagans believed plants had healing properties during the summer solstice and honored the day by showing reverence to nature with rituals.
In the fourth century, Christians renamed the holiday for St. John the Baptist called St. John's Day. Despite the name change, some of the customs from Midsummer remained.
In the fifth century, Germany and Sweden had their own Midsummer rituals. Germanic neopagans called their summer solstice festival Litha. In their traditions, the Maypole was decorated with leaves and raised on May 1, where the name comes from. Because of the difficulties finding green leaves during that time, the holiday was moved to Midsummer.
Magickal Correspondance of Summer Solstice
Element: Fire
Planet & Stars: Sun
Moon: Strawberry Moon
Deities: Sun Gods & Oak King
Magick: Love & Marriage
Colors: Red, Orange, Gold
Flowers: Roses, Sunflowers
Ways to Celebrate Summer Solstice
Have A Picnic
Eat foods associated with Midsummer and Litha, such as berries, honey, cheese, cakes, herbal teas, sunflower seeds, or lemonade. Or, for a Swedish twist, use recipes for pickled herring to make sill, potatoes for potatis, cured salmon for gravlax, and crispy bread for Knäckebröd.
Stone Circles
In England, Stonehenge is oriented to highlight the Sun's rising on the day of the summer solstice. Celebrate by making a stone circle with crystals associated with Litha such as moonstone, amethyst, tiger's eye, red jasper, citrine, fluorite, or agate. Charge your crystals collection in the Sun!
Morning Meditation
Since this holiday is all about fire, greet the Sun as it rises with a morning meditation.
Maypole
Dance around the Maypole you put up during Beltane! Listen to music that celebrates the faeries or has flutes. Use some of the flowers to make a floral crown to wear.
Bonfire
You can also celebrate the element of fire with a bonfire! Soak up the summer evenings and sweet air by dancing or telling stories around a bonfire.
Love Magick
As mentioned, June is named in honor of Juno, the goddess of women and childbirth. Combined with the Strawberry Moon's energy, this time is ideal for love magick.