A Witches Guide to the Pagan Summer Solstice Celebration

Litha, also known as the Summer Solstice, is a pagan holiday celebrated on or around June 21st in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the longest day and shortest night of the year, and marks the official start of summer. In pagan traditions, it is a time to celebrate the power of the sun and the abundance and growth of the natural world. It is also seen as a time of balance between light and dark, and a turning point in the year when the days begin to grow shorter and the nights longer. This holiday is a time of abundance, growth, and light, and is associated with a variety of correspondences, including colours, crystals, deities, traditions, and ways to observe the holiday.

Litha pronunciation is “LEE-thuh” with the emphasis on the first syllable. The word “Litha” is believed to have originated from the Anglo-Saxon word for “midsummer” and is still used by modern pagans and Wiccans to refer to this holiday.

As a spiritual holiday, Litha is a time for rituals and ceremonies that honour the sun and the energy of the summer season. It is a time to connect with the natural world and to celebrate the beauty and diversity of life. It is also a time to reflect on personal growth and to set intentions for the rest of the year.

Overall, the meaning of Litha is one of joy, abundance, and connection to the natural world. It is a time to celebrate the light and warmth of the sun, and to embrace the energy of growth and transformation that comes with the summer season.

Litha Colours:
The colours typically associated with Litha include yellow, gold, green, and blue. Yellow and gold represent the sun, which is at its strongest and brightest during this time of year. Green represents growth and abundance, while blue represents the sky and the waters of life.

Flowers for Litha
Flowers are an important part of the Litha celebration.You can use them to decorate your altar, make flower crowns, or simply enjoy their beauty as a reminder of the abundance and growth of the summer season. Some flowers that are commonly associated with Litha and the summer solstice include:

Sunflowers: These vibrant flowers are often associated with the sun and the power of light.
Roses: With their beautiful blooms and sweet fragrance, roses are a symbol of love, beauty, and passion.
Lavender: This fragrant herb is often associated with relaxation, purification, and healing.
Marigolds: These bright orange and yellow flowers are often used in rituals to honour the sun and the power of fire.
Daisies: These simple yet cheerful flowers are a symbol of innocence, purity, and new beginnings.
Chamomile: This delicate flower is often used in rituals to promote calmness, relaxation, and restful sleep.
Yarrow: This herb is often associated with courage, strength, and protection.

Crystals:
Many crystals are associated with Litha, including citrine, sunstone, tiger’s eye, and amber. These stones are said to bring warmth, abundance, and vitality, and can be used in a variety of ways during Litha rituals and celebrations.

Deities:
There are a variety of deities associated with Litha, depending on your spiritual tradition. Some popular options include the goddesses Brigid, Gaia, and Freyja, as well as the gods Lugh, Apollo, and Helios. These deities are often associated with the sun, fire, and growth, and can be called upon to bring blessings and abundance during Litha celebrations.

Traditions:
There are many different ways to observe Litha, depending on your personal beliefs and traditions. Some common practices include:

Lighting bonfires or candles to celebrate the light and warmth of the sun
Decorating altars and sacred spaces with flowers, herbs, and other symbols of growth and vitality
Holding outdoor rituals or gatherings to connect with nature and honour the turning of the seasons
Creating and sharing meals made with fresh, seasonal ingredients
Participating in activities that celebrate creativity, such as dancing, singing, or making art

Ways to Observe the Holiday:
If you’re looking to celebrate Litha, there are many ways to get involved. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Spend time outside, whether that means going for a hike, having a picnic, or simply sitting in the sun and enjoying the warmth
Make a wreath or other decoration using flowers, herbs, and other natural materials
Light a candle or bonfire and meditate on the energy and vitality of the sun
Create a special meal or drink using seasonal ingredients, such as berries, herbs, or honey
Connect with friends and loved ones and participate in a group ritual or celebration.

Ritual for Summer Solstice
A ritual for the summer solstice, also known as Litha, can be a beautiful way to celebrate this seasonal turning point and connect with the energy of the sun. Here is a simple ritual that you can try:

Materials:

A candle (ideally yellow or gold)
Incense (such as frankincense or sandalwood)
A small bowl of water
A small bowl of salt
A flower or herb that represents summer (such as sunflower, rose, or lavender)

Steps:

Find a quiet, outdoor space where you can perform the ritual. If you cannot be outside, find a space near a window that lets in natural light.
Set up your materials on a flat surface, such as a table or altar. Light the candle and the incense, and take a few deep breaths to centre yourself.
Hold your hands over the bowl of water and say, “I bless and consecrate this water in the name of the sun and the summer season.”
Sprinkle a pinch of salt into the bowl of water and stir it with your fingers. Say, “I purify this water in the name of the sun and the summer season.”
Hold the flower or herb in your hand and say, “I offer this flower (or herb) in gratitude for the abundance and growth of the summer season.”
Take a few moments to meditate on the energy of the sun and the power of the summer season. Allow yourself to feel connected to the warmth and light of the sun.
When you are ready, blow out the candle and allow the incense to burn down. Pour the water and salt outside, thanking the earth for its blessings.

This simple ritual can be adapted to suit your personal beliefs and traditions. You may choose to add additional elements, such as singing, drumming, or dancing. The most important thing is to allow yourself to connect with the energy of the sun and the joy of the summer season.

Overall, Litha is a time of joy, abundance, and growth, and is a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature and celebrate the turning of the seasons. Whether you choose to observe the holiday in a traditional way or create your own rituals and practi ces, this is a time to honour the sun and all that it brings into our lives

Winter to Summer

Winter’s chains are broken for good as the wheel of the year turns from winter to summer. Love is in the air as bee carries pollen from blossom to aromatic blossom and honey drips from the comb. The sacred union of the goddess and the god is observed, and sexuality is celebrated as we regard our bodies as mirrors of the divine plan. The blazing flames of the great bonfire mirror the passion within our hearts. The tenderness of the new spring season transforms before our eyes into the lush fullness of new life taking hold and thriving. Everywhere, in root and in flower, the proliferation of abundance on the earth is seen. Great fires are ignited, and the door to the Otherworld opens once again.

Origins of Litha

Litha is a pagan holiday; one of their eight sabbats during the year. Litha (also known as Midsummer) occurs on the summer solstice, and celebrates the beginning of summer. The traditions of Litha appear to be borrowed from many cultures. Most ancient cultures celebrated the summer solstice in some way. The Celts celebrated Litha with hilltop bonfires and dancing. Many people attempted to jump over or through the bonfires for good luck.

Other European traditions included setting large wheels on fire, and rolling them down a hill into a body of water. The summer solstice is the longest day of the year, and in some traditions, Litha is when a battle between light and dark takes place. In this battle, the Oak King and the Holly King battle for control. During each solstice, they battle for power, and the balance shifts. The Oak King, who represents daylight, rules from the winter solstice (Yule) to Litha. During this time, the days steadily get longer. However, during Litha, the Holly King wins this battle, and the days get steadily darker until Yule.

For modern day pagans, Litha is a day of inner power and brightness. Some people find a quiet spot and meditate about the light and dark forces in their world. Some other observers, particularly those with children, celebrate this holiday outside. Lastly, some observers choose to observe Litha more traditionally, and they would hold a fire ritual. This might include a large bonfire, or a small fire in a fire-safe pot in one’s house. Litha is also considered a good time to practice love magic or get married. The pagan version of this ceremony is called handfasting, and it includes many of the same practices one might find at a wedding.

Summer Solstice Celebration

Summer Solstice presents us with a time to celebrate! The Summer Solstice arrives on the longest day and the shortest night of the year. Solstice happens twice each year – in Winter near December 21 and in summer near June 21. The festival is sometimes called “Litha,” which means light. “Solstice” means sun stand. The sun is at the height of its power during Summer Solstice and appears to linger at the same point on the horizon in its rising and setting for the days surrounding solstice. For most of us in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun is directly overhead at midday during Summer Solstice. Try standing outside and see how little shadow you cast. The ancients believed that only spirits didn’t cast shadows, so Summer Solstice provides a “thin place” to commune with the spirits of the Otherworld.

Summer Solstice

Since the bleak midwinter, the sun’s litha has been steadily growing. The earth is bursting with beauty and bounty. The Mother Goddess is great with child at Summer Solstice and the Oak King is at his height of power and success. Now is the time to notice and appreciate fullness, blooming, creativity, individuality and fulfillment of promise.

As with each of the Celtic festivals, fire plays a huge role in the lore and legends surrounding Litha. Traditionally, Summer Solstice fires were lit at twilight and kept burning all the short night through. People danced and sang around the Solstice fire. They drove their livestock between fires to purify and protect them. Women jumped the flames to invoke fertility. Finally, everyone took a brand from the Summer Solstice fire back to their homes to start a new fire in the hearth to light the coming dark half of the year.

From Summer Solstice to Winter Solstice, the Holly King will again gain in prominence as the sun’s power wanes. Some stories refer to the Holly King as the Oak King’s twin. Some legends refer to the change in dominance as a “battle” between the two, but these times are really the mirror image of the same cycle. As the wheel of the seasons turns, recognizing the cycles in the natural world provide us with balance and continuity, along with a good excuse to bring the community together for a party!

SELF-DEDICATION LITHA RITUAL

For hundreds of years’ people or groups have been performing dedication rituals to their Gods and Goddesses, this was done to declare themselves to the divine, it solidifies the relationship you have and joins your energies together in a harmonious act of love and light.

This ritual is a self-dedication for those of us who are solitary practitioners, meaning we practice our craft alone rather than in a coven, solitary witches have been around for hundreds of years, from Voodoo and Hoodoo priests and Priestesses’, Pagans, and even Apothecaries were seen as solitary practitioners.

This Self-Dedication Ritual can be used for Wiccan, Pagan, or even the Druid Paths. Just change the bits you feel need to be adjusted to suit your religion and your needs, this is YOUR ritual, YOUR dedication so make it comfortable for YOU.

There is no right or wrong way to do any ritual or spell, it’s all about making it your own, using whatever you want, whatever your instincts are telling you to use, this is merely a guide to get you started, so have fun with it!

A Little Bit of History-

For thousands of years’ humans have been performing Dedications to their Gods in one form or another, these were usually done in the form of offerings to appease the Gods, this could be anything from laying food, flowers and lighting incense at the foot of statues and in temples to the ritualistic sacrifices at altars in temples.

These dedications and offerings to the Gods where done all over the world and mainly in big groups of followers in ancient places like Greece, India, and even the Mayan.

These days though most religions and cultures no longer allow sacrifices and we tend to keep things much more simple, that is why I have written out a self-dedication ritual for the solitary witch that is simple and easy to do (and doesn’t require any sacrifices).

*Casting your Circle*

The first thing you must do is cast your circle, this is a very important step, it will keep you protected from any unwanted negative energies and will keep your space cleansed whilst you are performing your ritual.

Don’t worry if you have never done this before, we will go through this step by step for those of you who aren’t sure.

1.) Firstly, know that the direction you cast in will depend on where you live, so If you’re in the Southern Hemisphere you want to go anti-clockwise and if you are in the Northern Hemisphere you will go clockwise.

2.) To cast your circle stand facing the East, and whilst using your power hand, this will be your dominant hand, use either your finger or wand and extend it out in front of you, slowly turn in the direction according to your hemisphere and see (either in your mind’s eye or use visualization) a stream of protective energy coming from you and forming a circle around you and your sacred space as you turn, close your eyes if it helps, and see the energy connect to where you started as you complete your circle.

You can also call upon the four cardinal directions (north, south, east, west, etc) and their corresponding elements and when you create your circle, stopping at each point calling on the guardians and their elements for their help and protection.

To open your circle when you have finished your ritual, simply go in the opposites direction and picture your energy absorbing into the earth, make sure to stop at each cardinal point and thank the guardian and element of each point for their assistance and protection.

?What You Will Need?

*2 White Candles (these represent the God and Goddess, if you would like to carve these to form your God and/Goddess then you can)

*Sandalwood Essential Oil

*Herbs of your choice for burning or your favourite incense (this is about what makes you comfortable and relaxed)

*Offering Bowl filled with an offering for your chosen deity (if you don’t know what they like then simply fill with water or a nice flower or two that calls to you)

*A quiet and peaceful place where you won’t be disturbed, somewhere you feel comfortable and relaxed, it can be either outside or inside

?The Ritual?

Once your circle is cast sit down and get comfortable, light your candles and incense or herbs in your sensor. Once done sit for a few minutes and meditate, allow yourself to completely relax and open all of your senses, feeling the energy of everything around you, allow it to flow through you and fill you completely.

Once you feel you’re ready take your essential oil, dab some on your finger and draw your chosen deity/deities over your third eye. If you’re not sure what the symbol is you can you the symbols that represent the God (or horned God as he is known) and Goddess.

*The Goddess and Horned God*

Once done, feel your chosen Deity/Deities energy flowing around you and within you, allow their essence to fill you with light, then when your read say the following chant Thrice.

”O (your Deity/Deities name),

I pledge myself to the Wiccan/pagan/Druid path

To walk the path of light with your divine spirit

and all that you hold dear.

I open myself to your Energies

And allow your wisdom and love to guide

and protect me.

On this night/day, with love and light in my heart

I dedicate myself to the wiccan path and to you (say deity/deities name).

(Say this three times and finish with)

So Mote It Be!”

You may feel all energized afterwards or you may feel tingles or a warm sensation throughout your body. This is your deity’s way of acknowledging your dedication, make sure to thank your deity/deities for their presence and guidance.

When finished, extinguish the candles and open the circle you cast remembering to say thank you and good bye to the guardians of the four cardinal directions and the elements if you used them as well, then take your offering bowl outside and either bury it in the ground so that the earth may take it and re use it or pour it into a stream or creek (make sure it won’t hurt the fishes, birds or bugs first), this helps to keep everything balanced, thank the earth for its service.

✨Your ritual is now complete✨.//

*Conclusion*

Take some time to sit and reflect upon the ritual, write it in your book of shadows or grimoire, reflect about how you felt during and after the ritual, and about anything you may have noticed, sensed or even heard.

**Remember you can change any part of the chant or ritual so that it fits you, this is your dedication so make sure you feel comfortable doing it, when it comes to spell casting and rituals it’s all about what you are feeling, if something doesn’t feel right or you think it needs to be changed, then change it, if you feel the candles should be a different colour the change those too, it’s your ritual, this is merely a guide to help set you on the right path, there is no wrong way to do this so have fun with it and make it your own.

Litha History – Celebrating the Summer Solstice

An Ancient Solar Celebration

Nearly every agricultural society has marked the high point of summer in some way, shape or form. On this date–usually around June 21 or 22 (or December 21/22 in the southern hemisphere)–the sun reaches its zenith in the sky. It is the longest day of the year, and the point at which the sun seems to just hang there without moving – in fact, the word “solstice” is from the Latin word solstitium, which literally translates to “sun stands still.” The travels of the sun were marked and recorded. Stone circles such as Stonehenge were oriented to highlight the rising of the sun on the day of the summer solstice.

Traveling the Heavens

Although few primary sources are available detailing the practices of the ancient Celts, some information can be found in the chronicles kept by early Christian monks. Some of these writings, combined with surviving folklore, indicate that Midsummer was celebrated with hilltop bonfires and that it was a time to honor the space between earth and the heavens.

Angela at A Silver Voice says that midsummer, or St. John’s Eve, was often celebrated in Ireland with the lighting of huge bonfire. She points out that this is an ancient custom rooted in a Celtic tradition of lighting fires in honor of Áine, the Queen of Munster,

Festivals in her honour took place in the village of Knockainey, County Limerick (Cnoc Aine = Hill of Aine ). Áine was the Celtic equivalent of Aphrodite and Venus and as is often the case, the festival was ‘christianised’ and continued to be celebrated down the ages. It was the custom for the cinders from the fires to be thrown on fields as an ‘offering’ to protect the crops.

Fire and Water

In addition to the polarity between land and sky, Litha is a time to find a balance between fire and water. According to Ceisiwr Serith, in his book The Pagan Family, European traditions celebrated this time of year by setting large wheels on fire and then rolling them down a hill into a body of water. He suggests that this may be because this is when the sun is at its strongest yet also the day at which it begins to weaken. Another possibility is that the water mitigates the heat of the sun, and subordinating the sun wheel to water may prevent drought.

Christians have chronicled the rolling of flaming (solar) wheels since the Fourth Century of the Common Era. By the 1400’s the custom was specifically associated with the Summer Solstice, and there it has resided ever since (and most likely long before)… The custom was apparently common throughout Northern Europe and was practiced in many places until the beginning of the Twentieth Century.

When they arrived in the British Isles, the Saxon invaders brought with them the tradition of calling the month of June. They marked Midsummer with huge bonfires that celebrated the power of the sun over darkness. For people in Scandinavian countries and in the farther reaches of the Northern hemisphere, Midsummer was very important. The nearly endless hours of light in June are a happy contrast to the constant darkness found six months later in the middle of winter.

Roman Festivals

The Romans, who had a festival for anything and everything, celebrated this time as sacred to Juno, the wife of Jupiter and goddess of women and childbirth. She is also called Juno Luna and blesses women with the privilege of menstruation. The month of June was named for her, and because Juno was the patroness of marriage, her month remains an ever-popular time for weddings. This time of year was also sacred to Vesta, goddess of the hearth. The matrons of Rome entered her temple on Midsummer and made offerings of salted meal for eight days, in hopes that she would confer her blessings upon their homes.

Midsummer for Modern Pagans

Litha has often been a source of contention among modern Pagan and Wiccan groups, because there’s always been a question about whether or not Midsummer was truly celebrated by the ancients. While there’s scholarly evidence to indicate that it was indeed observed, there were suggestions made by Gerald Gardner, the founder of modern Wicca, that the solar festivals (the solstices and equinoxes) were actually added later and imported from the Middle East. Regardless of the origins, many modern Wiccans and other Pagans do choose to celebrate Litha every year in June.

In some traditions, Litha is a time at which there is a battle between light and dark. The Oak King is seen as the ruler of the year between winter solstice and summer solstice, and the Holly King from summer to winter. At each solstice they battle for power, and while the Oak King may be in charge of things at the beginning of June, by the end of Midsummer he is defeated by the Holly King.

This is a time of year of brightness and warmth. Crops are growing in their fields with the heat of the sun, but may require water to keep them alive. The power of the sun at Midsummer is at its most potent, and the earth is fertile with the bounty of growing life.

For contemporary Pagans, this is a day of inner power and brightness. Find yourself a quiet spot and meditate on the darkness and the light both in the world and in your personal life. Celebrate the turning of the Wheel of the Year with fire and water, night and day, and other symbols of the opposition of light and dark.

Litha is a great time to celebrate outdoors if you have children. Take them swimming or just turn on the sprinkler to run through, and then have a bonfire or barbecue at the end of the day. Let them stay up late to say goodnight to the sun, and celebrate nightfall with sparklers, storytelling, and music. This is also an ideal Sabbat to do some love magic or celebrate a handfasting, since June is the month of marriages and family.

Summer Solstice—Midsummer’s Day

Summer Solstice—Midsummer’s Day, the longest day of the year, when the sun reaches its peak of power, and begins to decline. We mark this day as the beginning of summer, of the time of ripeness and harvesting. Yet is also a time of grief, of knowing that the flower must fade for the fruit to set.

This year, the solstice falls in the midst of enormous grief—for those who have died in the pandemic, for the black and brown lives taken by police violence, for all the losses engendered by violence, brutality, racism and all forms of discrimination.

At the same time, barriers to change that once seemed insurmountable are toppling like Confederate statues, and the uprising in the streets has kindled a beacon of hope.

So today, take a flower. Observe its beauty, its texture, its color and scent. Consider how nature has designed it to attract. Let yourself love it.

Then, let it go. Give it to a running stream, to the ocean, to a fire. Let yourself feel the grief, the poignant tragedy inherent in life, that nothing lasts forever.

Then, eat a summer fruit—a first-to-ripen cherry plum, a berry, a cherry. Savor it. Let yourself truly take it in. Imagine this is the fruit of the struggle for justice. How sweet it is!

What must fade, what must we let go of, to set this fruit and give it time to ripen?

We have many harvests still to come, some as bitter as the strange fruit, the black bodies, still hanging from trees in this land. But what can we tend and cultivate to harvest the true nourishment that will come from the seeds we now plant?

Blessings on Summer Solstice

This was when the whole world measured time

This is when the light would turn around

This is where the past would come undone and the spinning earth will mark a new beginning

Let’s go back in time, to when it all began

To the breaking of new dawns

Where moments bright with fire, would light the chanting song

Where pagans worshipped sun, and danced among the trees

Wore strange masks of covered straw, and blessed cold ash with awe

Wreaths hung upon the door against all spirit’s, dire and when the winter’s grasp let go, the sun reversed the pyre

This was when the whole world measured time

This is when the light would turn around

So that spring arrives, and seeds will sprout and grow

Oh, radiant sun, stretch the day, shorten night

Return earth’s darkness into light This is where the light will turn around

And this was where the past has comes undone.

Summer Solstice Grange Stone Circle

The importance of Summer Solstice ties back to ancient Celtic society’s reliance on agriculture and crops. The reliance and appreciation for the sun is what brought people closer to nature and furthered the understanding of the environment.

Through suffering and hardships during the winter months, the Solstice became an important celebration for success and ease during the summer.

The celebration of the Summer Solstice in Ireland is tied to their ancient landmarks. Ireland has one of the most prominent Neolithic sites known as Newgrange. It dates back to 5,000 years ago and is a popular tourist location. In the same area in County Meath, there is the Hill of Tara which has deep links to Irish folklore and is a popular location to celebrate the solstice.

According to Fáilte Ireland, Lough Gur in Limerick is also one of Ireland’s most important archaeological and historical sites – a mystical and enchanting place of stone circles, megalithic tombs, ring forts and castles.

The Grange Stone Circle at Lough Gur is the largest and most impressive of its kind in Ireland. Comprising of 113 standing stones, Grange Stone Circle was built around 2200 BC and is aligned with the rising sun of the summer solstice on June 21st. The Lough Gur Summer Solstice Festival celebrates the longest day of the year and has been a local tradition for more than 5000 years.

Litha

(NORTHERN HEMISPHERE)

Date: June 20th – 22nd

Other Names: Alban Heruin (Druidic), Summer Solstice

Pronunciations: lee-thuh, lii-thuh

Although the name Litha is not well attested, it may come from Saxon tradition — the opposite of Yule. On this longest day of the year, light and life are abundant. At mid-summer, the Sun God has reached the moment of his greatest strength. Seated on his greenwood throne, he is also lord of the forests, and his face is seen in church architecture peering from countless foliage masks.

The Christian religion converted this day of Jack-in-the-Green to the Feast of St. John the Baptist, often portraying him in rustic attire, sometimes with horns and cloven feet (like the Greek Demi-God Pan).

Midsummer Night’s Eve is also special for adherents of the Faerie faith. The alternative fixed calendar date of June 25 (Old Litha) is sometimes employed by Covens. The name Beltane is sometimes incorrectly assigned to this holiday by some modern traditions of Wicca, even though Beltane is the Gaelic word for May.

Herbs: Mugwort, Vervain, Chamomile, Rose, Honeysuckle, Lily, Oak, Lavender, Ivy, Yarrow, Fern, Elder, Wild Thyme, Daisy, Carnation

Traditional Foods: Garden fresh fruits and vegetables are made into a variety of dishes and eaten by Pagan’s who choose to celebrate this day

Incense: Lemon, Myrrh, Pine, Rose, Wisteria

Stones: Emerald

Woods Burned: Oak

Summer Solstice Blessings

In Latin the word ‘solstice’ literally translates to ‘the sun stands still’.

In the Northern hemisphere we will enjoy over 16 hours of daylight – and thousands will gather at sacred sites around the world to witness the sun rising on this auspicious day.

In the UK this will happen in just a few hours, at around 4.40am. It may be evening still in many parts of the world.

Stone circles such as Stonehenge were actually oriented to highlight the rising of the sun on the day of the summer solstice, built at a time when our ancestors revered the sun’s power to sustain life and growth, and when the cycles of the earth, the moon, the stars, and the seasons – were honoured and harmonized.

The pagan festival of Litha honours what is known as the longest day of the year and celebrates the power of the sun over darkness. ‘Litha’ is latin for both June & July.

My ancestors were Celts, and it said they celebrated the Solstice or ‘Midsummer’ with bonfires, dancing, plenty of eating, drinking ale and giving thanks to the sun.

So today the tilt of the earths axis is the closest the North Pole gets to the sun, but when it ends, the nights begin to slowly close in, as the planet begins its rotatation away from the sun.

So Thursday 21st June – and in fact all weekend – is really a great excuse to party, celebrate and enjoy the long nights for the rest of summer – in just 4 months time we’ll be approaching darkness again as the cold weather hits and we lead up to Samhain. (Halloween).

I will do a little ritual today of counting my blessings and vow not to take the next few months for granted, as Winter always hits me hard.

Blessings everyone – wishing you a wonderful summer full of laughter and adventures, friends, love, and relaxation.

Summer Solstice: Longest and Shortest Day of the Year

The June solstice is the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere.

Solstice’ (Latin: ‘solstitium’) means ‘sun-stopping’, because the point where the sun appears to rise and set, stops and reverses direction after this day.

The date varies between June 20 and June 22, depending on the year, and the local time zone.

Zenith Furthest Away from the Equator

A solstice happens when the sun’s zenith is at its furthest point from the equator. On the June solstice, it reaches its northernmost point and the Earth’s North Pole tilts directly towards the sun, at about 23.4 degrees.

It’s also known as the northern solstice because it occurs when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer in the Northern Hemisphere.

Meaning of Solstice

“Solstice” (Latin: “solstitium”) means sun-stopping. The point on the horizon where the sun appears to rise and set, stops and reverses direction after this day. On the solstice, the sun does not rise precisely in the east, but rises to the north of east and sets to the north of west, meaning it’s visible in the sky for a longer period of time.

Although the June solstice marks the first day of astronomical summer, it’s more common to use meteorological definitions of seasons, making the solstice midsummer or midwinter.

Midnight Sun or Polar Night?

On the June solstice, the midnight sun is visible (weather permitting) throughout the night, in all areas from just south of the Arctic Circle to the North Pole.

On the other side of the planet, south of the Antarctic Circle there’s Polar Night, meaning no Sunlight at all, on the June solstice.

Solstice Dates Vary

Even though most people consider June 21 as the date of the June solstice, it can happen anytime between June 20 and June 22, depending on which time zone you’re in. June 22 solstices are rare – the last June 22 solstice in UTC time took place in 1975 and there won’t be another one until 2203.

The varying dates of the solstice are mainly due to the calendar system – most western countries use the Gregorian calendar which has 365 days in a normal year and 366 days in a Leap Year.

A tropical year is the time it takes the Earth to orbit once around the Sun. It is around 365.242199 days long, but varies slightly from year to year because of the influence of other planets. The exact orbital and daily rotational motion of the Earth, such as the “wobble” in the Earth’s axis (precession of the equinoxes), also contributes to the changing solstice dates.

Equinoxes and solstices happen twice a year, but not always on the same date.

After the June solstice, the sun follows a lower and lower path through the sky each day in the Northern Hemisphere until it reaches the point where the length of daylight is about 12 hours and eight to nine minutes in areas that are about 30 degrees north or south of the equator.

Areas 60 degrees north or south of the equator have daylight for about 12 hours and 16 minutes. This is the September Equinox, the Autumnal Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere.

Earth does not move at a constant speed in its elliptical orbit. Therefore the seasons are not of equal length: the times taken for the sun to move from the March Equinox to the June solstice, to the September equinox, to the December solstice, and back to the March equinox are roughly 92.8, 93.6, 89.8 and 89.0 days respectively.

The consolation in the Northern Hemisphere is that spring and summer last longer than autumn and winter.

Ways to Celebrate Summer Solstice

Host a Bonfire

Litha is all about the fiery aspect of the sun, so why not celebrate the fertility of the gods with a blazing, roaring fire in your back yard? It’s the longest day of the year, so stay up late and host a bonfire for your friends and family. Get sparklers too, and light them after dark. Make an offering to the gods of your tradition. Be sure to follow basic Bonfire Safety Rules, so no one gets hurt at your celebration. You can even incorporate your bonfire into a Litha rite, with the Midsummer Night Fire Ritual.

Get Back to Nature

Go for a hike in the woods with your family. Enjoy the sounds and sights of nature. Take lots of pictures, or plan a scavenger hunt—have each of the kids bring a “nature bag” to fill up. Remember, don’t pick any live plants, unless you’re deliberately wildcrafting. Before you head out, grab a field guide to local plants, and turn it into a teaching exercise—learn to identify what you see out there in the woods. If you take your hike in a public park, bring along a plastic sack to help pick up garbage on your way. If you get the chance to do this alone, try a Nature Meditation in a quiet spot somewhere on your journey.

Get Your Body Moving

Litha is a magical, mystical time of year. Why not host a drum circle or spiral dance? You’ll need a large group for this, but it’s a lot of fun once you get everyone moving. In addition to being entertaining (and a great stress reliever), a drum circle or a ritualized dance serves another purpose—that of raising energy. The more you build, the more people will feed off of it. Invite a group of friends over, let them know there will be music and dance, and see what happens. Be sure to provide refreshments for afterwards—drumming and dancing can be draining for some people.

Read a Good Book

Summer can be a hectic and chaotic time of year. Maybe you’re someone who needs to slow down and take a break. Litha is a good time to rejuvenate, so why not sit out in the sunshine and immerse yourself in a good book? Keep reading material handy all the time, so when you need a little down time, you can work through few pages. If your local library has a summer reading program, sign up. Many bookstores offer summer incentives for both children and adults to read during the off-school months. Not sure what to read?

Celebrate Family

Turn off the phone, step away from the computer and television, and spend time just having fun with the people who love you most. Take the day off work if possible and spend it any way you like—go to the zoo, a museum, a ball game, etc. Make this a day that you can do anything you want, and put the schedules away just for one day. If you’re worried that money might hold you back, there’s plenty of stuff you can do for free: check your local metro parks for activity schedules, go fishing at a nearby lake or river, and watch the local newspaper for free admission deals at nearby attractions. If getting away for a day isn’t possible for you, spend the afternoon at home—play board games, do jigsaw puzzles, and cook a meal together.

Clean Things Up

Clean your house. Take advantage of the warm weather to have a garage sale and get rid of all those things you don’t want. You can also organize a swap with your friends, or donate all your stuff to charities like Goodwill or Salvation Army. You’ve got plenty of daylight at Litha, so you can accomplish a lot in just a short period of time. If your house is a bit daunting, select one room to work on at a time—preferably the one that needs the most help! Wash windows, wipe down baseboards, get rid of stuff you know you’ll never use. Organize as you clean, putting donatable items into one pile, and trash in another, so you don’t have to sort it later.

Host a Barbeque for Friends and Family

Have a barbecue, and invite all your family and friends over. Decorate with colors of the sun—yellows, reds, and oranges. Feast on lots of summery food, like watermelons, strawberries, and fresh green salads. Add outdoor games like horseshoes, ladder golf, and backyard volleyball. While you’re at it, set up some kind of water activities—water balloons, super soakers, a pool to splash in. All of these are great outside activities in the heat of summer, and help celebrate the balance between fire and water, as well as welcoming friends and family to celebrate the season.

Learn and Grow

Spend some time on spiritual growth. Use this time of year to learn something new about your tradition, develop a new skill, or take a class in Tarot, Reiki, yoga, or whatever appeals to you. Create a daily plan of study to help you focus on what it is you want to do next. You’ve got plenty of extra hours of daylight this time of year, so there are no excuses!

Honor the Season

Many ancient cultures marked the summer solstice with rites and rituals honoring the sun. Celebrate the significance of Midsummer with ritual and prayers that recognize the sun and its magnificent power. Set up your Litha altar with symbols of the season—solar symbols, candles, midsummer fruits and vegetables, and more.

Summer Solstice Ireland

The ancient Celtic festival acts as a timely reminder and celebration of who, where and what we really are. Summer Solstice celebrations date back to over 5,000 years ago in ancient Ireland,

For northern hemisphere dwellers, Summer Solstice – the longest day and the shortest night of our year – is usually celebrated on June 21st. This year, the exact time of the cross-quarter moment between Bealtaine (early Summer) and Lughnasadh (early Autumn) in the Northern Hemisphere will be at 10:13 on Tuesday, 21st June 2022 (Irish Time).

In Gaelic, Solstice is “Grianstad”, literally ‘sun-stop’ and this is one of the two great peak moments of the light and dark interplay in our universe. Directly opposite Winter Solstice, this Saturday is the peak of the sun’s highest climb into maximum light. However, it is the earth which is on an elliptical orbit around the sun which uniquely brings about this phenomenon.

For several days after June 20th, the hours and minutes of daylight will remain almost exactly the same and near June 25th, the light will imperceptibly begin to lessen as we move deeper into the second half of this season. In terms of light, Summer Solstice day is 9 hours, 30 minutes longer than on Winter Solstice in December.

As a sunflower will twist and turn throughout the day to face the sun, when we humans look upwards, open to the solar energies of Summer Solstice, we are no longer separated from ourselves or the environment. Our ancestors saw this key turning point in the Celtic calendar as momentous – a time of blooming, blossoming and wild abandon. Even though it does herald the light starting to lessen, we can imagine they revelled in the height of summer and the fresh earthy freedom seeking new pleasures before Harvest.

The eternal ancestral voice from spiritual traditions is remembered in ceremonies and rituals in nature that can remind us who, where and what we really are. It is a traditional time for weddings, fires, garlands of colourful blossoms, and dance rituals.

For a species that defines being spiritualised as enlightenment, the peak moment of light on our planet is extremely special. We are consumers of light through our diet made possible by photosynthesis. Many healing modalities are built on the phenomenon of our chakra system as being made of the constituents of light.

No matter how we find our lives at this time, we cannot be immune from the abundance of light, heat, radiation and electromagnetic energy peaking in our natural world. That immensity is poetically evoked in one of the great mythological stories of Ireland.

Our ancestors had many references to deify the sun, outstanding is Lugh the Sun God, known as Lugh Samhildánach or Lugh of the Many Arts. His entry to the court of King Nuada of the Tuatha Dé Danann (in Gaelic the “Tribe of Mother Earth”) at Tara, the nexus of supreme power, was only possible by his response to the tests heaped upon him by the gatekeeper.

As told in legend and lore, he offered his services as a wright, a smith, a champion, a swordsman, a harpist, a hero, a poet and historian, a shaman, and a craftsman, but each time is rejected as the Tuatha Dé Danann already have someone with that skill.

However, when Lugh asks Nuada if they have anyone with all those skills combined, Nuada has to admit that he is the first to possess all these talents and so Lugh joins the court as Chief Ollam of Ireland, (Ollam is broadly equivalent to Professor in Gaelic).

Untangling the metaphor, when we too foster ‘enlightenment’ within as Lugh did, we can discover and claim multiple potentials and gifts inherent in ourselves and take our place in the Tribe of Mother Earth, identified by our wisdom.

Cairn G at Carrowkeel, Co. Sligo, is unique as it is the only other passage tomb in Ireland that has a lightbox. For 8 weeks before and after the Summer Solstice, the rising sun shines through it. However, it does not light up the chamber as seen at Newgrange.

We are called to remember too that Summer Solstice heralds the slow return of the dark, which must be accepted with a knowing awareness

There is no greater invitation in the year’s turning than Summer Solstice ‘to shine our own inner light’ like the sun. We may allow the light to illuminate what is known and unknown in ourselves, accepting both our light and darker sides. We are called to remember too that Summer Solstice heralds the slow return of the dark after June 20th, which must be accepted with a knowing awareness.

Thoughts on the Summer Solstice Well Dressing

A dressing created on Solstice Eve, in the softening light of the summer sun, reflected in our Well lantern(s) and candles. Healing herbs and flowers ~ calendula, jasmine, hypericum, lemon balm, yarrow; and golden roses to offer comfort in times of grief and loss. All small beacons honouring the sun’s light, warmth and power.
The sun, at its strongest on this side of the world now, provides the warmth for maturing growth and ripening in preparation for harvest. This season belongs to the oak, a tree synonymous with longevity, endurance and if it helps us, maturity, courage and strength of heart. Our beautiful new Well lid is made of oak wood. The base of the dressing is made of oak leaves, gathered from the tree that stands in the Cress Field. It is accompanied by rosemary; here in support of the nervous system, it helps to clear the mind, balancing and strengthening head and heart.
As we consider the sun’s power, we may also consider our own. In this time of restriction, we have had an opportunity to consider what we value, what makes us feel whole and strong, where we want to put our attention and efforts. For many of us, this has emphasised our interconnectedness, our need to care for one another and our desire to build supportive and resilient communities. It has also perhaps increased our gratitude for the everyday things that ground us and bring us a deeper sense of joy and connection. Here simply is the power we may choose to use ~ the ability or space to appreciate what we have and what we bring and to use that collectively to build a better world for all. A power that is both blessing and responsibility.
This time last year we had recently finished the Buddhist Festival as part of our Many Paths ~ One Source programme. As we prepare the Well for re-opening and a new phase, it would be lovely to hear your memories of these events and what they have meant to you.

ENCHANT YOUR HEARTS WITH THE MAGIC OF THE SOLSTICE

The Summer Solstice is a powerful gift of solar energy given to the world. The seasons do change as the planet orbits the sun and Gaia is bathed in light, seeded with the wind and quenched with the rain. Water aids growth and is the root of your inner magic, for the nature of water is the seed of all things. The earth is lush and fertile as the seasonal cycle reaches its peak, with the sun travelling in its longest majestic dance cleansing and bathing the world with light.

Allow this energy to transform your visions from one phase of being to the next. Let your hearts to be illuminated with the inner connection to your destiny through the miracle of manifestation that is etched upon the canvas of cosmic consciousness through your ‘awareness’. May your hearts be enchanted with the magic that this midsummer brings. And as the days become shorter, by the light of the stars that are seen in the night sky so shall your dreams be manifested.

Never forget, within the cycles of nature you can access your power with the deep inner connection of the glorious ebb and flow of life which attunes you to earth’s natural energy. Dreams are realised through your determination and focus, for the light of the sun’s rays will charge your hearts with creativity and manifestation to bring deep focus and positive energies into your life. Take some time today to reflect on your dreams and ground with the Earth.

You’re all a powerful force of nature and to move from the conscious to the subconscious you must harness a connection to all the elements.

For you’re all earth’s gems and the ‘salt of the earth’.

Litha, Summer Solstice Incense and Oil Recipes

Midsummer Incense #1

2 parts Sandalwood

1 part Mugwort

1 part Chamomile

1 part Gardenia Petals

a few drops Rose Oil

a few drops Lavender Oil

a few drops Yarrow Oil

Burn at Wiccan rituals at the Summer Solstice (circa June 21st) or at that time to attune with the seasons and the Sun.

Midsummer Incense #2

Recipe by Scott Cunningham

3 parts Frankincense

2 parts Benzoin

1 part Dragon’s Blood

1 part Thyme

1 part Rosemary

1 pinch Vervain

a few drops Red Wine

(Both of the above recipes for “Midsummer Incense #1 and #2” are quoted directly from Scott Cunningham’s book “The Complete Book of Incenses, Oils & Brews”

Litha Incense

4 parts myrrh

3 parts frankincense

3 parts oak bark

2 parts witch hazel

Litha Incense

1/2 part mugwort

1/2 part vervain

1 part St. Johnswort

1/2 part frankincense

1/4 part mistletoe

1/4 part bay

Litha Incense

This incense is at its strongest when used for Midsummers spell work and rituals.

With your Mortar and Pestle grind these dried herbs together: wormwood, mugwort, St. Johns wort, yarrow until all are of a powdered consistency then add to charcoal disk for burning when ready to use.

Litha Oil

4 drops lavender

3 drops rosemary

1 drop pine

Use sunflower oil as base

Summer Solstice Rituals and Ceremonies

Depending on your individual spiritual path, there are many different ways you can celebrate Litha, but the focus is nearly always on celebrating the power of the sun. It’s the time of year when the crops are growing heartily and the earth has warmed up. We can spend long sunny afternoons enjoying the outdoors, and getting back to nature under the long daylight hours.

Here are a few rituals you may want to think about trying. Remember, any of them can be adapted for either a solitary practitioner or a small group, with just a little planning ahead. Before you get started with ritual, think about preparing your household altar for Litha.

Hold a Midsummer Night’s Fire Ritual, and celebrate the season with a big bonfire. Prefer to spend some time alone at the summer solstice? Not a problem! Add these simple Litha prayers into your summer solstice rituals this year.

Are you headed to the beach this summer? Take advantage of all of the magic it has to offer, with Seven Ways to Use Beach Magic. If you have little Pagans in your family,

Summer Solstice Wales

The summer solstice is the first day of astronomical summer and the longest day of the year for people in the Northern Hemisphere. In ancient times, solstices and equinoxes were important in helping people to maintain calendars and grow crops. The solstice itself has remained a special moment of the annual cycle of the year since Neolithic times and over the centuries has been marked by festivals and celebrations.

* In Wales prehistoric sites such as at Bryn Celli Ddu on Anglesey, the open burial chamber dated to around 2000BC, is so perfectly aligned that for only 20 minutes each year, a beam of sunlight aligns exactly with the opening to the chamber.

* Mistletoe was important to the Celtic Druids as it was believed to cure all ills. On Midsummer Eve, it is reported that they would cut it with a golden scythe and catch it in a cloth before it touched the ground.

* With the coming of Christianity, people were encouraged to give up their old traditions, by their incorporation into new Christian practices. For example, the summer solstice became known as the feast of St. John, the Baptist.

* In Wales it is called Gŵyl Ifan Ganol Haf (St John’s of Midsummer) . Great agricultural fairs, which included dancing, merriment and the lighting of bonfires, were held at this time. Welsh tradition says that gathering Saint John’s Wort on the night before the summer solstice would bring good luck and imbue it with extra healing powers.

* A sprig of mistletoe gathered on Midsummer Eve and placed under the pillow was said to bring prophetic dreams and branches from birch trees were used to decorate maypoles town squares.

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* With the advent of non-conformist beliefs on the Welsh socio-political culture, this (among so many other similar festivals) suffered greatly, and its observance finally died out by the end of the 19th century.