Litha

LITHA/MIDSUMMER/SUMMER SOLSTICE - JUNE 21, 2007

The summer solstice marks the longest day of the year. It is exactly opposite Yule, the longest night,
on the Wheel of the Year. In Wiccan mythos, this is the day that the God, as Consort or Lover to the
Goddess is at the height of his power.

Just as the Earth is covered with growing crops, blooming flowers, and other vegetation, the Goddess
is heavy with the child, the God who will be born at Yule. She is the Mother Goddess, wife of the
God that she married at Beltaine, and lover.

We call on the God and Goddess to nurture the crops in the ground and the new life growning in the
wombs of animals and humans alike. The element of Fire is most prominent during this Sabbat and
we call on it for transformation and purification.

Wild herbs are ready for havesting at this time and St. John's Wort figures prominently. From the
time of the Greeks and into the Middle Ages this herb was credited with magickal powers. It was
used to protect against evil and ward off illness. Bringing St. John's Wort flowers into the house on
Midsummer Eve was said to protect against the "evil eye."

Many ancient traditions begin the day's celebration by rising early enough to greet the rising Sun.
The day was then filled with music, dancing, racing, and feasting. In England, thousands of Pagans
will gather at Stonehenge to watch the alignment of the Sun with the standing stones.

Fairies are particularly active at Midsummer. They are thought to be at the height of their power at
this time of year and many protection lores and taboos came about during this time. The sighting of
Fairy Rades - trooping fairies - have been reported more often during Midsummer than at any other
time. Leaving out a little food for the fairies is a common practice at Midsummer. Milk, water, butter,
honey, wine and bread are their favored foods. In Cornwall and Russia, it is considered wrong to
scold a child for spilling milk because this should be seen as a gift to the fairies, and the scolding
would make the fairies think the gift was given grudgingly.

Midsummer is the time for blessing your animal(s). You can present your pet(s) with a protective
talisman on this day. You can carve the talisman out of wood, make one with Fymo or clay, or any
other durable material. Carve or paint sigals, runes or symbols you feel best represent the protection
you animal(s) need.

Of course, June is the traditional month for weddings. This is because it was considered unlucky to
marry in May, the month of the sacred marriage of the God and Goddess.

...Maryy in the month of May
Most surely you will rue the day.
Marry in June when roses grow
And happiness you'll always know...

Use plenty of Sun colors on your altar and in your feast. I always decorate my Sabbat altars with
flowers. A good Midsummer activity is to go for a walk in the country and collect wild flowers for
your Sabbat decorations.

Because Sabbat celebrations are considered our gift to the gods, any magickal working you wish to
do at this time should be done prior to the Sabbat's Eve.