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Call it the celebration of Litha, the Summer Solstice, or the first day of summer ... it is a timeless tradition that has evolved through the ages while maintaining its core essence: honoring the power of the sun and the natural world’s bounty. Whether through ancient rites or modern festivities, Litha invites us to pause, revel in the light, and embrace the vibrant energy of summer. This is a day to connect with nature, celebrate life, and prepare for the fruitful months ahead.
This is not my favorite time of year, but I know it is a necessary one. I do not like hot weather. I do not like the sun. If it gets above 70 degrees anywhere in which I occupy space, I begin to whine. This is why A/C is an integral part of my life, along with a fan.
Litha (pronounced LEE-tha) is a Pagan holiday celebrated on the Summer Solstice, typically around June 20th. This day, also known as Midsummer, is the longest day of the year and is cherished for its high energy and intense sunlight. Pagans honor this time with festivities that embrace the sun's power, symbolizing growth, prosperity, and renewal. I honor this inside. I can no longer go outside to show my honor to nature, and I have to be OK with that.
The lore surrounding Litha is as varied as the cultures that celebrate it. In the Pagan belief, Litha is a time of powerful magick. This is the time when the portals between the human world and the faerie realm are most easily crossed, not to be confused with Samhain (Halloween) when the veils are thinnest and communications between this world and the astral plane is clear to Pagans.
It is also a pivotal moment in the mythic battle between the Oak King and the Holly King. The Oak King, ruler of the waxing year, reigns until Litha, after which he is defeated by the Holly King, who presides over the waning year until Yule, similar to Christmas.
In Slavic folklore, Kupala Night is celebrated around the Solstice. It is a night of fire and water. Young couples jump over fires to ensure fertility and good fortune, and maidens float flower garlands down rivers, hoping to find love.
It is considered good luck to catch a garland that has floated down a river on Litha.
Today, Litha is celebrated by modern Pagans and nature enthusiasts who seek to reconnect with ancient traditions and the rhythms of the natural world. Modern Litha celebrations often include elements such as bonfires, feasts, and rituals to honor the sun and the earth.
Things to do on the easier side, include making sun tea, baking with honey, and just enjoying nature in any form, even if it is taking a stroll out on the porch to assess the growth of my ivy. Of course, there is always the construction of floral crowns for those so inclined to find that special person.
Litha rituals focus on celebrating the abundance of nature, expressing gratitude for the sunlight, and preparing for the coming harvest. Rituals may include creating sun wheels, which are a symbol of the sun’s journey, and decorating altars with summer flowers, herbs, and symbols of the sun.
In the United States, summer solstice celebrations often include outdoor festivals, yoga sessions at sunrise, and art events. Some cities host large parades that celebrate creativity, community, and the joyous energy of the season. I'm sure the PRIDE parades are being meshed with the Litha celebrations. It would make perfect sense.
The name 'Litha' is believed to come from an early medieval designation for June or July, as noted by the Venerable Bede, an insightful English monk from the 8th century. The association of 'Litha' with the Summer Solstice is believed to be a relatively modern twist, enthusiastically adopted by Pagan circles, including Druidry.
Litha is a favored time for love, magick, and sacred unions. Many Pagans choose this time for handfasting, a ceremony akin to weddings, woven with rituals and deep meanings.
Litha celebrations could include towering bonfires stretching up to the sky, their flames a mirror to the sun’s intense energy. These fires are not mere spectacles; they are spiritual acts believed to bolster the sun’s strength as it begins its decline post-solstice and to secure blessings for an abundant harvest ahead.
For Pagans, the Summer Solstice is a moment of perfect balance and poignant anticipation. It represents the climax of light and the onset of a darker, quieter phase. It’s a time to honor the sun’s power, bask in its full glory, and prepare for the natural progression of seasons.
Litha is a vibrant celebration of the earth and cosmos, a grand display of balance and renewal in the ever-spinning cycle of life.
As Litha unfolds, it is believed that fairies hold their grand celebrations within mystical fairie rings. These circles, often found in grassy meadows or forest clearings, are thought to mark the dancing spots of faeries. To honor these elemental spirits, offerings of honey, butter, or creamy milk are left in the hopes of gaining fairie favor. Such practices not only acknowledge the presence of fairies but also seek to harmonize with their joyful and festive energies during the solstice.
Pagans around the world continue to celebrate the Summer Solstice with feasts, bonfires, and sun salutations, while the iconic gathering at Stonehenge remains a popular Solstice celebration. I've never been able to go to Stonehenge. Only in my dreams. When I was younger and more mobile, I do remember some bonfires we held out in the country that were a LOT of fun, though.
Litha reminds us of the sun's power to sustain life and the cyclical nature of the seasons. It's a time to celebrate abundance, growth, and the sun's positive energy even as we acknowledge that the wheel of the year will continue to turn.
Speaking of the wheel of life, I would like to acknowledge the loss of Donald Sutherland, today. He was, as his son Kiefer posted when he announced the death of his father, one of the most important and iconic actors of our century. I knew he was aging, but he was just 88 and I hoped he had a few more movies in him.
Donald Sutherland, 1970
I am honored to be born at this time in our history. We have/had so many wonderful individuals who shared this planet with us. I can only hope that Mr. Sutherland knew how much we all appreciated his work and his dedication to his craft. He did not compromise his standards. He did not just take a job for the money or the progress of his career. He made it all count.
Just as with all our wonderfully talented individuals who are placed on the same level with the 'guys next door' when it is time for Death to come calling ... I'll miss him.
However, as one director said to Sutherland when he auditioned for a part that DID call for a 'guy next door' ... "you don't look like you've ever lived next door to anybody."
Darkmum
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