Litha, also known as Midsummer or the Summer Solstice, celebrates the longest day of the year. Since solar energies are at their highest Litha is a solar, or fire festival. Still a celebration of nature, with the focus on abundance, fertility, success and prosperity, this is not a harvesting festival like the following sabbats will be. It was customary for people to light bonfires, even keeping them burning through the night until the next dawn.
Since early Pagans depended on the land to survive, the Summer Solstice marked the end of the planting season and the move toward the eventual harvest season. It gave them a day to stop and rest and celebrate their accomplishments before beginning again another cycle of hard work.
It is also thought that Midsummer is the most opportune time to contact the Fae, as
they are drawn to the things in nature that are abundant at this time. Shakespeare used this thought as the basis for his play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Summer Solstice was celebrated all around the world, by various cultures. Even in times when communication between cultures was very limited or non-existent, they all still recognized the power of this time and celebrated it.
Now is the time to take action on all of the plans you have been creating this year. The dreams and ideas you dreamt during Imbolc, the seeds you planted and plans you made with Beltane, Litha is the time to act on all of those. Now is the time for doing.
Symbols of Litha
Herbs: Cinnamon, Foxglove, Mugwort, Rosemary, Vervain, Yarrow
Crystals: Carnelian, Citrine, Emerald, Peridot, Tiger’s Eye
Flowers: Chamomile, Daisy, Heather, Lavender, Marigold, Rose
Trees: Elder, Hazel, Oak, Rowan
Tarot: The Empress, The Emperor, The Sun, Strength
Colors: Gold, Green, Orange, Red, White, Yellow
Goddesses and Gods of Litha
Aestas, Roman goddess of summer Aine, Celtic sun goddess Agni, Hindu fire god Amaterasu, Japanese sun goddess Anuket, Egyptian goddess of the Nile Aphrodite, Greek goddess of love Apollo, Greek/Roman god of the sun Balder, Norse god of light Benten, Japanese goddess of love Brigantia, Celtic goddess of summer Hoder, Norse god of dark (counterpart to Balder) Iarila, Russian sun goddess Janus, Roman god of doorways Kupalo, Slavic/Russian god of peace Ra, Egyptian sun god Saule, Baltic sun goddess Solntse, Slavic sun goddess
Celebrating Litha
How you celebrate is a personal choice, there is no wrong way as long as it feels right to you in the moment. Though keep in mind when planning your celebration the concepts of abundance, energy, fertility, growth, health and love. If you are looking for suggestions, consider simply grounding your feet in the earth (if possible) and standing in the sunlight. Perhaps harvest some herbs, or work with the Faeries. Have a bonfire (if possible) or stay up from dawn until the following dawn. Brew some tea in the sunlight and drink it as you take action on your intentions.
Check out Llewellyn's Sabbat Essentials Midsummer: Rituals, Recipes & Lore for Litha for a ton more information!
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