Celebrating Litha: Honoring the Summer Solstice
Stonehenge
As the sun reaches its highest point in the sky, we gather to celebrate Litha, also known as the Summer Solstice. This sacred Sabbat, steeped in Pagan and Celtic tradition, marks the longest day and the shortest night of the year. In 2024, the sun enters Cancer on Thursday, June 20th at 4:51 pm ET, while the moon resides in Sagittarius. On Friday, June 21st at 9:08 pm, the moon will become full, illuminating the night in what is known as the Mourning Moon or the Strawberry Moon.
Pagan and Celtic History of Litha
Litha, derived from the Old English "liða," signifying the gentle warmth and bounty of mid-summer, has been celebrated for centuries. This time of peak solar energy was honored by ancient Pagans and Celts with rituals of fire and light, symbolizing the triumph of the sun and the abundance of the Earth. Bonfires were lit on hilltops to ward off evil spirits and to encourage fertility and good harvests. Druids would gather oak, mistletoe, and other sacred plants, invoking blessings upon the land.
Celtic and Pagan to Honor Litha
Lighting the Litha Bonfire
Practice: Gather with friends and family to build a bonfire, symbolizing the sun’s peak power and its life-giving energy.
Correspondences:
Gemstones: Sunstone, Citrine, Carnelian
Herbs: St. John's Wort, Lavender, Mugwort
How-To: Build your fire with intention, perhaps incorporating dried herbs into the kindling. As the flames rise, meditate on the energy of the sun, drawing its strength and vitality into your life. Dance around the fire, sing, and celebrate the peak of summer.
Creating a Solar Wheel
Practice: Craft a solar wheel or sun symbol using natural materials like twigs, flowers, and vines.
Correspondences:
Gemstones: Gold Tiger’s Eye, Amber
Herbs: Chamomile, Rosemary, Marigold
How-To: Form a circle with the twigs, weaving in flowers and herbs that resonate with solar energy. Hang your creation in a prominent place in your home or garden as a reminder of the sun’s power and the cycle of the seasons.
Herbal Offerings and Divination
Practice: Collect herbs that bloom in midsummer and offer them to the earth or use them in divination practices.
Correspondences:
Gemstones: Peridot, Emerald
Herbs: Yarrow, Thyme, Basil
How-To: Gather herbs with care, thanking the plants for their gifts. Create a bundle of herbs to offer to a sacred space, asking for continued growth and protection. For divination, use the herbs in a scrying bowl or scatter them to read patterns, seeking guidance for the coming months.
Releasing What No Longer Serves
One powerful practice during Litha is releasing what no longer serves you. As the days begin to shorten after the solstice, it’s a time to let go of the past and make space for new growth.
How-To:
Identify: Reflect on what is holding you back or causing negativity in your life.
Write: Write down these thoughts, habits, or situations on a piece of paper.
Release: Burn the paper in the Litha bonfire, visualizing the smoke carrying away your burdens.
This act of releasing can bring profound healing, helping you to identify and let go of what no longer serves you, thus opening up space for positive energies and new opportunities.
Summer Solstice Tarot Card Spread
Green Witch Tarot
After shuffling your tarot card, lay them out in a seven-card pyramid starting in the bottom left corner. Card 4 is the top of the pryramid. This spread from Tarot Through the Witch’s Year by Karen Krebser, represents the waxing, moment of stillness at Litha, and waning of the year.
Ask the following questions:
What is the balance or tipping point of my life right now?
How do I hold myself in balance?
What would help me get better at pausing, at taking a breath?
What can I do to help turn the Wheel from light to darkness in my own life?
What can I leave behind as I move through this passage?
How can I take advantage of this in-between space?
What message can I take away from this Summer Solstice?
Gathering Under the Mourning Moon (Strawberry Moon)
The full moon on June 21st is known as the Mourning Moon or the Strawberry Moon, marking a time of reflection and celebration. Gather with loved ones under this luminous moon to share stories, food, and joy.
Summer Solstice Recipes
Celebrate Litha with these three delicious recipes that capture the essence of the season, including one that honors the Strawberry Moon.
Strawberry Moon Tart
Ingredients:
2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
1 pre-baked tart shell
1 cup mascarpone cheese
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fresh mint leaves for garnish
Instructions:
Mix mascarpone cheese, honey, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Spread the mixture evenly in the tart shell.
Arrange the sliced strawberries on top.
Garnish with fresh mint leaves.
Chill before serving.
Sunflower Seed and Herb Bread
Ingredients:
3 cups flour
1 cup sunflower seeds
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
1 packet active dry yeast
1 cup warm water
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
In a bowl, combine flour, sunflower seeds, rosemary, thyme, and salt.
In a separate bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water and let sit for 5 minutes.
Add yeast mixture and olive oil to the dry ingredients and mix until dough forms.
Knead dough for 10 minutes, then let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 375°F. Shape dough into a loaf and place on a baking sheet.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, until golden brown.
Honey-Lemon Herbal Iced Tea
Ingredients:
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup honey
4 cups water
2 tablespoons fresh chamomile flowers
2 tablespoons fresh lavender flowers
Ice cubes
Lemon slices for garnish
Instructions:
Bring water to a boil and pour over chamomile and lavender flowers.
Steep for 10 minutes, then strain the herbs.
Stir in honey and lemon juice until dissolved.
Let the tea cool, then serve over ice with lemon slices.
Litha is a time to embrace the light, celebrate the abundance of the season, and connect with the natural world. By honoring ancient Celtic practices, releasing what no longer serves us, and gathering with loved ones under the Strawberry Moon, we can find joy and renewal. Enjoy these special moments with delicious seasonal recipes, and let the energy of the solstice illuminate your path.
I would like to acknowledge the assistance of ChatGPT to provide valuable insights and help enhance the overall quality of this blog.