Litha or Summer Solstice
What is it?
Summer Solstice marks the longest day and the shortest night. While we are bathed in light and also illumination, it is the perfect time to check in with yourself and your goals.
We have shaken off the icy dreams of winter and the watery dew of spring and now we have slowly grown into summer. This is a time for celebration of all the growth that has happened over the spring and now we are watching our ideas, plants, and crops grow into their fullness. This is a time of beauty, love, strength, fullness, rejoicing in the warmth of the sun and the promise of the abundance of crops yet to come.
Symbols for Litha:
The Sun: the sun is at its peak strength during the summer solstice.
Bonfires: Bonfires were lit in honor of the Goddess at her fullest and of the Sun God at his strongest. Many people would stay up all night to celebrate the longest day and shortest night and to welcome the sunrise.
Oak Trees: the Druid bonfires would be lit with sacred wood, particularly oak,for Summer Solstice. The Celtic name for Oak is ‘Duir’ which means ‘doorway’ — we are crossing the threshold, entering the doorway into the second, waning part of the year (from The Goddess and the Greenman website.)
Elderflower: Elderflower is peaking at Midsummer, so it’s a traditional favorite. The Elder is sacred to the Mother Goddess and is often called the Witch’s Tree, the Elder Mother, or Queen of the Trees. It is protective with wonderful healing properties. It aids transformation, change and renewal, and we are at a major turning point in the Wheel of the Year, so the gift of Elderflowers is welcome. (from The Goddess and the Greenman website.)
Flowers and Herbs: many flowers and herbs are in full growth right now. Consider infusing your rituals or celebration with some rosemary or lavender. Lavender was thrown into ritual fires as a sacrifice to the gods for healing.
Colors: anything representing the sun
Herbs: Lavender, St. John’s Wart
Ritual Ideas:
Sungazing: Get up at dawn to watch the sunrise.
Charge your crystals: the power of the sun at Solstice is protective, healing, empowering and revitalizing. It’s extra powerful for your crystals.
Handfasting ceremony: Handfasting ceremonies are normally performed on the solstice since June was traditionally considered the luckiest month to be married.
Bonfire: dance around a fire!
