What is Litha?
Litha, also known as the Summer Solstice or Mid-Summer, marks the longest day of the year. The precise date of the summer solstice varies, falling somewhere between June 19th and 23rd. In 2024, Litha will be celebrated on June 20th. This festival is an ancient Anglo-Saxon tradition and one of the four Solar Festivals on the Wheel of the Year.
Significance of Litha
During Litha, the Sun is at its peak, shining with maximum strength. This festival celebrates the height of summer, abundance, and the triumph of light. However, it also signifies a turning point, as daylight hours will start to decrease after this day. Symbolically, this period marks the battle between the Oak King and the Holly King, with the Holly King emerging victorious to rule the shorter days until Yule when the Oak King will reclaim his throne.
Litha is a joyous celebration of summer, embodying themes of abundance, prosperity, and action. The vibrant fire energy of the Sun is at its highest point and the Earth is fertile, signaling the approaching harvest season. It's a time of magic, passion, and empowerment, closely associated with the Element of Fire and its attributes—transformation, creativity, vitality, and power.
Themes of Litha and Ways to Celebrate
Growth and Expansion
Litha is an excellent time to reflect on the intentions set earlier in the year. Ask yourself;
- Have you made progress?
- Have you nurtured your goals to fruition?
- Do you still feel passionately about them, or have your priorities changed?
- Do you need to expand your ideas or set new goals aligned with your current desires?
Celebration and Abundance
- Give gratitude to the earth for her abundance.
- Acknowledge and celebrate your successes and achievements, no matter how small.
Playfulness and Happiness
- Engage in playful activities you enjoyed as a child—visit a park, make a daisy chain, dance, or read a book in a tree.
- Wear clothes that make you feel carefree and sensual.
- Have a picnic alone or with friends.
- Organise a BBQ with friends.
- Reconnect and communicate with others.
- Be bold and try new experiences.
Litha Symbols and Correspondences
Symbols
- Bonfires
- The Sun
- Sun wheels and other solar symbols
- Flowers, especially sunflowers, marigolds, and daisies
- Honey
Colours
- Gold: Sun, solar deities, energy, power, prosperity, strength
- Orange: Creativity, energy, optimism, success
- Red: Fire, passion, desire, energy, power, willpower
- Yellow: Sun, creativity, happiness
- Green: Abundance, fertility, growth, prosperity
Flowers, Plants, and Herbs
- Oak
- Elderflower
- Elderberry
- Lavender
- Fern
- Rose
- Chamomile
- Lily
- Mugwort
- Thyme
- St. John's Wort
- Strawberry
Spellwork at Litha
The high energy of Litha makes it an ideal time for spellwork. The solar energy will empower your spells. Perform spells for:
- Healing
- Self-growth
- Self-love
- Protection
- Love
- Manifestation of any kind
- Illuminating your desires and potential
Fire Magic
Litha's association with the element of fire makes it a perfect time for fire magic. Use fire magic for transformation, self-empowerment, willpower, and drive. Fire magic can attract inspiration, boost creativity, and metaphorically burn through obstacles.
- Perform candle magic
- Purify your tools in flames
- Burn items in a bonfire, cauldron or fireproof bowl.
A Simple Ritual for Litha
This ritual can be performed on any warm sunny day, but it's especially fitting for Litha.
1. Choose your favourite fire crystals and a picnic blanket.
2. Head outside to a quiet spot on a sunny day.
3. Lay down on the blanket surrounded by your fire crystals.
4. Charge your body and crystals under the sun’s rays.
5. Visualize the sun’s energy filling your body with positivity, vitality, passion, sexual desire, power, drive, inspiration, and creativity.
6. Feel your energy grow and expand, becoming stronger.
7. When finished, thank the element of fire and the sun. Leave an offering, such as sunflower seeds.
Litha is a time of joy, celebration, and reflection. Embrace the energy of the season, connect with the abundance around you, and let the power of the sun inspire your actions and intentions.
