Litha - Embracing the Power of the Summer Solstice

As the sun takes its majestic position in the sky, showering the earth with its life-giving rays, we find ourselves on the cusp of a magical moment—the Summer Solstice. Whether we consciously acknowledge it or not, this celestial event holds immense significance in the grand tapestry of our existence. This year, let's step into the season of Summer with intentionality, honoring the sun's energy and manifesting positive transformations in our lives. In this blog post, we explore the essence of the Summer Solstice and present three potent rituals for ascension, abundance, or love.

Understanding the Summer Solstice: A Celestial Celebration

At the heart of our solar system, the sun dictates the rhythm of our seasons. Our journey around the sun, coupled with the tilt of the earth's axis, orchestrates the dance of the seasons. The Summer Solstice, marking the longest day of the year and the shortest night, typically occurs around June 21st in the Northern Hemisphere and December 21st in the Southern Hemisphere. Referred to as Litha or Midsummer, this celestial event has been revered by ancient societies worldwide, from the Druids and Norse to the Aztecs and Ancient Romans.

What is Litha?

Litha, also called Midsummer or the Summer Solstice, marks the longest day of the year and the shortest night. In modern times, we recognize the Summer Solstice as the official start to the Summer season. Pagans and Witches celebrate the Sun in all its glory, tend to their gardens and creative ventures, and resurrect some of the ancient Litha traditions of our ancestors.

The name Litha is believed to derive from an ancient Germanic term corresponding to the Summer months on the Germanic calendar. But nearly every ancient culture honored the Summer Solstice or Summer season in one way or another. One tradition is fairly consistent across cultural borders – the Summer Solstice was both a fire and water festival. Our ancestors enjoyed taking ritual baths and lighting large, raging-for-days bonfires. The fire and water elements in this sabbat demonstrate the clear importance of purification.

Harnessing the Power of the Solstice: Why It Matters

In our modern, fast-paced lives, we often overlook the subtle but profound connection between our inner rhythms and the natural world. Yet, even as we've distanced ourselves from living in harmony with the seasons, the impact persists. The Summer Solstice, with the sun at its zenith, mirrors our own peaks of vitality and power. By aligning with this energy, we can tap into a wellspring of potential for positive change and manifestation.

The Summer Solstice embodies themes of fertility, life, renewal, enlightenment, passion, abundance, lust, and love, with dominant elemental forces of fire and water. To craft your own Solstice ritual, consider the magical correspondences associated with this season.

Magical Correspondences for the Summer Solstice

Elements: Fire and Water

Colours: Gold, Green, Orange, Red, Yellow, White.

Herbs and Plants: Chamomile, Sunflower, Rose, Lavender, Basil, Calendula, Cinnamon, Daisy, Foxglove, Marigold, Mugwort, Peony.

Trees: Elder, Holly, Linden Oak, Rowan, Beech.

Stones: Obsidian, Sunstone, Citrine, clear quartz, Amber, Carnelian, Emerald, Tiger's eye, Peridot, Lapis, Jade.

Foods: Mead, Wine, Honey, Seafood, Ale, Cheese, Cinnamon foods, Grapes, Milk, Oranges, Peaches and Pears, Pine nuts, Seasonal Berries, Lime.

Animals: Bee, Bull, Butterfly, Eagle, Horse, Robin, Deer, Swallow, Snakes, .

Gods and Goddesses: Gaia, Sul, Lugh, Brigid, Ra, Aphrodite, Anu, Brid, Ceridwen, Freya, Frigga, Hera.

Incense: Frankincense, Jasmine, Lilac, Musk, Peach, Vanilla, Ylang-Ylang.

Symbols: Feathers, Fire, Candles, Cauldron, Dried Herbs, Fruit,, Mirrors, Roes, Sacred wells, Solar, Spinning wheels, Spirals, Summer flowers, Sundials, Swords, Torches.

Ritual Ideas for the Summer Solstice

* Ritual bath at sunrise or sunset

* Candle spells for abundance, vitality, beauty, health, love, etc.

* Climbing a hill and reaching for the Sun

* Leaving offerings for the sun god or goddess and local land spirits

* Cleansing negative energy by swimming in the ocean, river, or lake

*Ceremonial fire magick via a bonfire

*Scrying in fire, smoke, water, or a mirror

*Planting a tree associated with the sun, like an orange tree

*Refreshing your altar for the Summer season, manifestation, and prosperity

*Walking in nature with intentions of connecting with sun gods and elementals

*Harvesting herbs to create bundles, flower crowns, besoms, wreaths, bouquets, and pressed specimens for your grimoire

*Planning and preparing a large Litha feast with fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, and sweet desserts

*Building a vision board to manifest your goals for the Summer, including the sun to brighten your outlook

Litha Summer Solstice Foods

The Summer Solstice is all about the sun and bounty of the earth. So, whatever foods you choose, focus on bright colors, farm fresh veggies and fruits, and using fire and water in your Litha recipes. 

1. Rosemary Garlic Bread

There’s nothing better than fresh homemade rosemary bread…especially on a sabbat day like Litha. Remember, herbs are typically green and flourishing on the Summer Solstice, so use your own homegrown herbs to make your bread unique and powerful.

2. Tomato, Peach and Burrata Salad

The tomato is a well-known Summer food and is an aphrodisiac. Which, we all know, Litha is one of those fertile, “hot and spicy” types of sabbats. What better way to kick off the Summer solstice (of love) than with a tomato, peach and burrata salad? Truly any local produce that’s fresh will be great in a salad for Litha, but I find the combination of tomato, cheese and peaches particularly lovely. Pair this Summer Solstice salad with grilled salmon for dinner OR as a lunch main dish.

3. Grilled Salmon with Dill Sauce

 Celebrate the Summer Solstice by making a Litha recipe of grilled salmon with dill sauce. Add the tomato, peach and burrata salad as a side and you have a healthy and delicious Midsummer meal.

4. Roasted Summer Solstice Veggies

Here’s some typical vegetables that are fresh in the Summer and perfect for the Litha sabbat: broccoli, corn, cucumbers, egg plant, green beans and Summer squash. I recommend roasting the following together: red potatoes and green beans OR red potatoes with squash, green pepper, and onion.

5. Very Berry Fruit Salad

When summer comes, the first thing I do is run to the produce stand for fresh fruit. Watermelon is at the top of my list, but fresh berries are next. Go wild an make your own delicious very berry salad, you can even add watermelon if you'd like.

While definitely not a traditional Midsummer beverage, sangria is a loved SUMMER beverage in modern times.  You can go with a traditional red sangria recipe or go for one that adds fruit AND magical herbs. Don’t forget you can choose your own magical herbs too. Some of the things to add to sangria are raspberries, blackberries and rosemary. Or citrus fruits and thyme. 

6. Grilled Watermelon

Sounds bizarre to grill your watermelon, right? But heed our words. Being the Litha sabbat is a celebration of the SUN, grilling anything over an open fire is traditional to appeasing the sun gods and fire elementals. PLUS watermelon, in whatever form, is particularly appetizing. Serve as a side dish at your barbecue or as a dessert. Watermelon is superb without grilling it, I know, but grilling it actually adds a smoky flavor to the fruit. And gives it this caramelized texture that is to die for.

7. Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs

Lime is a magical Summer fruit and cilantro has its own powerful magical properties like peace, prosperity and protection. Add them both in a marinade and soak your chicken thighs in it…a fabulous entree for your Summer Solstice celebrations. 

8. Lavender Honey Cheesecake

Lavender is a traditional Litha herb and screams Summer. Combine this aromatic herb with honey in a cheesecake and watch everyone elevate. Lavender is purifying, but also promotes beauty, peace, fertility, and more. Honey is also traditional for Litha, as the bees are buzzing in the gardens and meadows, and the honey flows from hives like water. Honey is representative of fertility and prosperity, but also of the ancients. Of our ancestors who preserved the old ways of the Summer Solstice. 

9. Energizing Sun Tea

Why not harness the powerful energy of the sun on or near the Summer Solstice by making sun tea? There’s so many choices for ingredients, so have fun with it. And if you want to make it magical, select your ingredients based on your intentions. Then set your tea out and let the sun charge it with energy, health, and prosperity.

Fresh fruit of your choice: Orange slices, berries, lemons, and apple slices

Fresh herbs of your choice: Rosemary, thyme, and basil are great choices

Let's seize this opportunity to reconnect with the natural rhythms of life and infuse our existence with the potent energy of the sun. Choose a ritual that resonates with your intentions, and embrace the transformative power of this celestial celebration. Whether you seek ascension, abundance, or love, the Summer Solstice provides a sacred space for manifestation and renewal. Step into the light and let your intentions blossom with the warmth of the sun.