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MoonOwl Observations

Litha- The Summer Solstice

 

            Litha is the summer solstice and it usually takes place between June 20th and 22nd. It is the longest day of the year since Litha is when the sun reaches its high point in the sky. It is also known as Midsummers night’s eve and stems from Saxon tradition.  It is a low holiday and a lesser sabbat that the majority of modern pagans celebrate. There is some debate as to whether or not ancient pagans celebrated it or not. Of course there are monuments that were built to highlight the rising of the sun on the summer solstice. Stonehenge is the most well known example.

 

Litha is a time to find balance between fire and water and is a battle between light and dark. It is a day of inner power and light.  It is an excellent time for rites of divination because the veils between the worlds are thin. Litha is also a good time to cut things like herbs, divining rods, wands and dowsing rods. It is the most popular time for handfasting and weddings and to honour the lord and lady.

 

Litha is the ending of the waxing year and the beginning of the waning. It is the beginning of harvest and a time to see the earth and nature thrive.  You should honour the sun god and the pregnant goddess. Litha is the time when the Holly King fights the Oak King and takes over his throne. The Oak King fights and takes it back at Yule, and this happens year after year.

 

There are plenty of goddesses to honor on Litha. The main ones are:

-Gaia/Mother Earth

-Venus

-Aphrodite

-Yemaya

-Astarte

-Freya

-Hathor

-Ishtar

-Lilith

-Isis

-Juno/ Hera

-Amaterasu Shinto

-Vesta

-Athena

-Artemis

-Kalie

 

Of course, there are also plenty of gods. The main ones to honour are:

-Apollo

-Helios

– Oak King

-Holly King

-Arthur

-Thor

-Horus

-Mercury

-Ra

-Cernunnos

-Lungus

-Green Man

 

You should try and get out on Litha, spend as much time as you can outside and absorb and celebrate the warmth given to you from the sun. There are plenty of customs you can do to celebrate. My personal favorite is a bonfire. It is also believed that Litha fires possess great power. You can also celebrate by having all night vigils, processions, singing and feasting.  This is also the time of year to put St. Johns Wort over your doors and windows for protection. I hope you all have a safe and blessed Litha.