Litha is also known as Midsummer, or the Summer Solstice. It falls on June 21^st each year in the Northern Hemisphere and in the Southern Hemisphere it falls on December 21^st. It is the longest day of the year! Around midday, the sun may appear to stand still.

Since the previous Midwinter Solstice, energy has been building through the year, and Litha marks the peak of the energy. After the Summer Solstice, the days begin to shorten and we begin the transition to the harvest season.

A Brief History

The word “solstice” comes from the Latin word solstitium which roughly means the point at which the sun seems to stand still. A solstice is defined as the longest or shortest day of the year.

The ancient Romans celebrated the days leading up to Midsummer with the Vestalia festival. During that time they honored the Roman Goddess Vesta, the goddess of the hearth.

Early Europeans celebrated midsummer by setting a wheel on fire and rolling it down into some water. This is thought to be a way of celebrating the importance of both water and fire, and the balance between them. Both are important in the growth of crops.

The Celts may have celebrated Midsummer, but we do not have a lot of evidence that they did. At least, there is no known documentation of them celebrating they way they did with other festivals. If they did, it is believed that they celebrated with a bonfire on top of a hill.

All of these have inspired modern celebrations, but Nordic and Scandinavian traditions probably hold the most influence. While each country has different traditions, there are a few key traditions that are shared. They all seem to feature outdoor bonfires, feasts and lots of dancing. The focus is on being outside and enjoying nature. In many of the northern european countries, the celebrations begin the evening before, on Midsummer’s Eve.

Associations

Dieties

Litha is rich with divine connections. There are many dieties who embody the energy of the sun, summer, Midsummer, the earth and nature’s peak.

I’ll list some of them here, but if you would like more information about any of them, comment below!

Animals

Litha is linked with a variety of animals, with the most common being:

Plants

Countless plants are associated with Litha, more than I could hope to list in one place! Here are some to keep an eye out for:

Colors

As a time of high energy and vibrant growth, Litha is most associated with these colors:

Rituals and Celebrations

Now that we’ve covered common associations, we can get to the fun part: celebrating! I recommend spending as much time outside as you can. Make sure to have sunscreen, food, and lots of water on hand if you plad to spend a lot of time outside!

As with any spiritual practice, anything I suggest here is just that, a suggestion. You are the authority on the way you practice.

Without further ado, here are some ways to celebrate Litha! Feel free to mix and match to build the perfect-for-you ritual and/or celebration!

Meditation

Meditation is a great way to welcome the Midsummer energy within you.

Wake up at dawn and soak up the early morning light. Focus on the energy building in you as the sun rises. Reflect on how you have been building your energy since the Winter Solstice.

Meditate again at noon, when the sun is at it’s height. Bask in the sun and let the energy fill you. Think about how you feel when you are at the height of your power. How does it feel in your body? In your mind?

End the day with a meditation at dusk. As the sun sets and day turns to night, focus on releasing the day’s energy. Think about winding down, and slowly relaxing one body part at a time. Ease into the evening.

Creation

Let your creative sparks fly! Lean into your creativity with a wild abandon – just please make sure you are not endangering yourself or anything / anything else!

Sing, dance, or write poetry! Dedicate it to a diety you work with, or even just to the Earth or Midsummer itself!

For some more specific ideas:

Paint

Bring some paint outdoors and paint what you see! This can be anything from a landscape, to a log of the plants you see.

Paint the energy! Lean into the abstract and pick some colors to represent the energy you feel and might be picking up on.

Draw

Try drawing the things you see! Or pull some ideas from the associations listed above and draw whatever harnesses the Midsummer energy for you!

Create nature art

Use leaves, twigs, fallen flower petals – anything you can find – to create art in nature, with nature! This is a personal favorite of mine. I feel very connected to the world when I do this!

Forage Plants (Sustainably!)

Plants are at their energetic height on the Summer Solstice. That makes it a great time to harvest some for your altar or other magickal practices! Just remember to harvest sustainably! If you are new to foraging, follow these tips:

• Make sure you know what you are harvesting! Verify with a field guide for your local area to ensure you are harvesting the correct plant.
  • Check local regulations. Some plants are protected! Make sure you are familiar with local guidelines.
  • Also familiarize yourself with the lifecycle of the plant you are interested in harvesting. Try to avoid taking from a plant during a vulnerable growth stage, e.g. right before they go to seed.
• Only take what you need, and harvest from abundant areas! As a general rule, you should take no more than 15% from a healthy plant. Try to harvest from multiple plants in an area, and if you need more than that, find another spot. Some plants can handle more being taken, but I’ve found 15% to be a safe amount for all plants I have harvested from.
• Use proper tools. You should only use sharp, clean tools when harvesting to limit damage to the plant and to prevent the potential spread of disease between plants. I like to bring some alcohol wipes to clean my gardening shears between each plant. Collect what you’ve harvested in cloth bags or baskets. This prevents moisture buildup, which can lead to mold or rot.
• Leave the roots intact unless you are harvesting the root. If you are harvesting the root, only take a bit! This ensures the plant is able to continue growing.
• Step carefully and try not to disturb the soil or nearby plants.
• Give back when you take. This could be in the form of some water, a strand of hair, a song, or even a simple thank you.

If you would like an in-depth guide to foraging, let me know in the comments below!

Journal

Journaling is an incredible way to connect with yourself. Here are some journaling prompts to get you started:

• Think about what brings you the most joy and energy throughout the year. How can you carry this with you as the days begin to shorten?
• How have you grown emotionally, spiritually, or creatively this year?
• What do you want to cultivate more of in the coming months?
• Who or what brings warmth and joy into your life? Why?
• What habits or thoughts are no longer serving your growth?

Candle ritual

Candles are a powerful and accessible way to connect with the energy of Litha. They are a great representation of the sun’s fire and a powerful tool that is commonly used in spiritual practices around the world.

Here’s a simple ritual you can do:

What you will need:

• One yellow, orange, or gold candle
• A fireproof surface or candle holder
• Fresh herbs that remind you of summer, a sun charged crystal, or a journal

Steps:

1. Find a quiet spot outside in the sun, or by a window.
2. Cleanse the space in a way of your choosing.
3. Sprinkle the herbs around the candle.
4. Light the candle. As you do so, say aloud, “On this longest day, I honor the light within and around me.”
5. As the candle burns, spend some time thinking or journaling about:
   • What has blossomed in your life this year?
   • What parts of you are ready to shine even brighter?
6. Set a Summer Intention.
   • For example: “I will follow joy and trust in my growth.”
7. Close the ritual by thanking the sun and the elements. Let the candle burn out safely, or snuff it out with intention. Never leave a burning candle unattended.

final thoughts

Litha invites us to play in the sun, honor growth, and reconnect with the world around us. Whether you’re celebrating with others or alone, know that this season is yours to embrace.

Comment below how you plan to celebrate Litha this year!

Until next time,

-T