Celebrating Litha and the Power of the Summer Solstice
We’re about to rejoice in the return of the warm glow of the summer sun, as she reaches her zenith of lightness, flooding our days and hearts with the golden kiss of life. A celebration of light, warmth, and the fulfilment of life, Litha is a truly
joyful time.
Wheel of the Year: Litha
As we turn the Wheel toward Summer, we honour the sun at her peak with the longest day and shortest night of the year, sitting opposite Yule as the darkest point of the sacred solar cycle. Litha, also known as Midsummer or the Summer Solstice, is a celebration of light and has been celebrated in various forms for thousands of years; however, the name Litha is believed to have been coined in the mid-twentieth century.
We celebrate Litha this year on Friday, 20th June.
A Celebration of Light and Vitality
At Litha, we celebrate the sun’s vital, life-giving energy, honouring the season of growth and abundance. On this day, when the sun is at her peak, it is believed she is at her most powerful, showering her golden rays of transformation and life-giving energy over us. A portal of power, many believe that intentions are supercharged with the potent solar energy and spend this day manifesting, setting intentions and spending time under the golden rays of light.
The Balance of Fire and Water
Although Litha is primarily known as a festival of light, water also holds a significant place during celebrations. Intuition, emotion, fertility and nourishment are all symbols of water, whose many forms – rivers, lakes and sacred wells - are believed to have heightened powers during June.
So, while some celebrate Litha with fire rituals, such as bonfires or leaping over flames, others honour the day with water by bathing in the river, lake or stream. Traditionally, our ancestors believed that dew collected on Midsummer’s Day had special healing powers and that bathing in natural springs would bring both healing and beauty.
The Branch - out of stock
Nature in Full Bloom
Litha is a time to celebrate Nature being at her fullest. It is believed by our ancestors that medicinal herbs held potent healing energies, which were amplified during this season. Collecting herbs such as St John’s Wort, Rosemary, and Lavender on Midsummer became a common practice, using these herbs in sacred rituals and spells, and hanging them in our homes to aid in protection and prevent sickness.
Another way nature is celebrated at Litha is the sunwheel. Each year, participants would gather flowers and herbs to adorn a wheel, which would then be set on fire and rolled down a hill. This tradition symbolises the Wheel of the Year and the descent of the sun, as she makes her return journey into the darker half of the year.
Creating a Litha Altar
As always with the Wheel of the Year, we honour the change in season with the creation of a sacred altar. Some traditional symbols of Litha include oak, sunflowers, fire element, the sun, candles, gold, yellow, orange and red. We collect offerings from the Earth, ensuring we give gratitude for the blessings we receive and then place these elements on a sacred altar within our home.
Having a seasonal altar in our home is a wonderful way to connect with the potent energies of Litha, honouring nature, connecting with the sun through lit flames, and creating a sacred space within the home to journal and meditate with the changing season.
Here are some of my favourite elements to include in my own Litha altar:
Sunflower – a beautiful symbol of summer, sunflowers stand tall and shine brightly like the sun. Known to follow the path of the sun across the sky, sunflowers remind us to stay positive and remain joyful during this celebration of life. Representing the fullness of life, abundance and growth, sunflowers embody the spirit of Litha not only through their radiant appearance but also by blooming in harmony with the season.
Oak – There is an old folklore which tells the tale of a symbolic battle between the Oak King and the Holly King, marking the turning of the seasons and the Wheel of the Year. It is said that the Oak King reaches his full power during Litha, before his reign ends and is passed to the Holly King. This mythology symbolises strength, vitality and growth - qualities which are closely associated with the Oak tree. Deeply rooted and towering, oak trees represent endurance and resilience. Adding an oak leaf to your altar is a powerful way to honour the folklore and connect to the energy of the season.
Candles – As the season is closely associated with fire, it seems appropriate that we should adorn our homes with candles during Litha. Fire is a transformative energy, bringing comfort and protection while symbolising our inner light and creativity. Fire is also linked to Litha because it represents the sun’s energy coming to the Earth.
White candles are the first choice due to their connection to the purity and balance of the season; they are also known to be best for amplifying energy and intentions during Sabbat rituals. Other colours such as gold, yellow and orange represent the colour of the sun, while green candles represent a link to nature and abundance.
Sunrise Earring with Citrine gemstone - Out of stock
Crystals for Litha
The changing of seasons is a powerful time to work with crystals and their potent, healing energies. Crystals can adorn your altar, be placed strategically around the home, be worn as jewellery or used in meditation and rituals. My choice of crystals for Litha includes:
Citrine – Embodying the sun, Citrine is the perfect choice during Litha celebrations. She is a joyful crystal, offering abundance, optimism and creativity.
Carnelian – Linked to the fire element, Carnelian is full of passion, courage and motivation. She gives energy to your intentions and is the perfect stone for rituals based around empowerment and transformation.
Sunstone – Closely linked to the sun, Sunstone holds the same light and joyful energy as her name suggests. Sunstone dispels fear, promotes openness and helps you step into your power. She is a good stone to use for leadership roles and independence.