This week is Litha (on the 21st to be precise). Summer is my favourite season and it’s the one that I feel the most myself during. It’s the time of year that the Mother Goddess is swollen with life. Bonfires are traditional to celebrate the solstice which you can link all the way to the modern-day making of s’mores! The bonfire really represents a reflection of the Sun at the peak of its strength
For me Litha is one of the most magical times of the year. I feel rejuvenated and it’s hard to resist the urge to get my body moving whilst listening to good music.
Bring on the honouring of the sun!
A brief bit of background:
Litha is the midsummer aka the summer solstice, when the sun reaches its zenith in the sky (in the Northern hemisphere). It’s the longest day of the year and this year it falls on the 21st of June – next Monday. In Pagan tradition, Litha marked the end of the Oak King’s reign and the rise of the Holly King, who oversees the world as the days gradually get shorter as the world descends into the cold dark of winter. Litha was also a celebration of the Celctic goddess Danu (Anu) who represents earth and fruitfulness. According to Irish mythology Danu was the Universal Mother of Tuatha De Danaan – a tribe of ancient people in Ireland believed to have invaded Ireland and ruled until being defeated in war on midsummer’s day, after which they retreated to the hills and eventually became the Faerie folk.
Celebrating:
Make a flower crown.
Do some gardening.
Go on a nature walk.
Watch the sunrise.
Host a bonfire.
Have a picnic with honey, cherries, blueberries, lemonade, peaches, cheese and mead.
Bake some honey cakes.
If you want to mark the occasion with the use of essential oils throughout the day, I’d focus on orange, chamomile, sage, cedar, rose, lavender and lily. (Of course, always check if the essential oil you are using is safe for pets – not all are!)
Some crystals that you might be interested in using and helping you focus are citrine, sunstone, moss agate, peridot, amber and jade.
Will you be marking the day in any way? What are you excited about in terms of the upcoming summer?
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