History
A lesser known “Wheel of the Year” celebration, Litha, occurs during the Summer Solstice usually falling on the calendar on June 21st. More commonly referred to as Midsummer’s Night, Litha is believed to be a time when faeries cross into the human world at twilight time and offer blessings. Litha is a time to celebrate the abundance and beauty of Mother Earth. Flowers are in bloom and gardens are producing fresh vegetables and fruits. Gatherings of family and friends came together to celebrate the longest day of the year and the upcoming harvest season.
Like Beltaine, fire is an element of Litha. Bonfires were lit to assist the sun as it journeyed across the sky, changing course and shortening the days. It was common for the maypole from the May Day celebration to be the start of the celebratory fires. Throughout history, other customs such as herb gathering and the construction of sunwheels have marked this festival. Unless one lives near the equator, the longest day reveals the shortest shadows.
As Christianity swept across Europe in the early middle ages, Litha / Midsummer Night was adopted by the Catholic church as St. John’s Day, celebrating John the Baptist.
The history of Litha shows its deep connections to ancient agricultural societies and their reliance on the sun’s power. Litha symbolizes the balance between light and darkness. Today, Litha continues to be celebrated by various communities, with gatherings at sacred sites and private rituals in natural settings. Litha serves as a reminder of our connection with nature and the cycles of life. -Mabon House
“…This is the solstice, the still point of the sun, its cusp and midnight, the year’s threshold and unlocking, where the past lets go of and becomes the future; the place of caught breath, the door of a vanished house left ajar…”
Margaret Atwood
As a Solarbration, the sun in this peak moment illuminates our awareness and is a time to invite the light and solar energies to glow within our lives. After this moment when the light of the sun meets the edge of the moon, it marks an energetic climax when the sun is at its peak for the year. We will then enter a waning season yet, Midsummer gives us a long stretch of solar influence with strong heat, light, and intensity that allows play and pleasure for at least a couple more months.
Want some messages from the Sun? Try out Fire Scrying. It can be a powerful divination tool at Summer Solstice and involves gazing into flames to receive insights, messages, and visions from the spirit realm.
Candle magic can enhance the practice of fire scrying and attune you to the wisdom of the cerebellum. As the candle flame dances and flickers, focus on the subtle movements and shapes within the fire, allowing your mind to enter a meditative state conducive to receiving insights from the depths of your subconscious mind.
Erin Bruce of The Seasonal Soul, offers “How to Celebrate Summer Solstice” with 5 simple solstice rituals and this FREE Summer Solstice E-Book and Journal.
Cat Caracelo, of Journey Path Institute, offers a free “12 Days of Summer – Solstice Journey” to tap into your creativity while enjoying this vibrant time of year. If you enjoy tarot or oracle decks, she shares a Solstice Oracle Spread.
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