Summer Solstice

Celebrate Litha: Embracing the Summer Solstice

June 20, 2024 marks the Summer Solstice, also known as Litha or Midsummer, a vibrant celebration of the Solar and Divine Feminine energies. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stands as the longest day of the year, a time when the sun reaches its zenith, bathing the world in its golden light. Meanwhile, our friends in the Southern Hemisphere observe the Winter Solstice, the longest night, honoring the rebirth of the sun.

Among the ancient stones of Stonehenge, dawn on the Summer Solstice is a spectacle not to be missed. The sun's rays align through stone corridors to illuminate an altar, a breathtaking testament to the cyclical nature of the seasons.

Litha holds a significant place among the eight Wiccan sabbats, marking a turning point in the Wheel of the Year. As a festival of fire and sun, it symbolizes power and energy. Whether you're lighting a candle or engaging in larger rituals, harness this energy to release what no longer serves you and to nurture new beginnings.

At Litha, we find ourselves at a juncture of balance, where light and dark converge both externally and within. The term "Solstice," meaning "Sun Stands Still," captures this moment when the sun appears to pause in its journey across the sky, inviting us to reflect and set intentions for the coming season.

Amidst nature's abundance, with roses, wildflowers, lavender, honeysuckle, and jasmine in full bloom, take a moment to contemplate what you wish to cultivate and what you're ready to let go of in your life.

Ways to Honor Litha:

• Sun Magick: Harness the sun’s energy for growth and enlightenment, and cleanse crystals under its warm glow.
• Divination: Pull tarot or oracle cards to tap into the potent energies of this day.
• Herbal Magick: Gather herbs like St. John’s Wort, mint, lavender, and sage at their peak, embracing their magical and healing properties.
• Goddess Rituals: Invoke Goddesses of love such as Aphrodite, Yemaya, or Oshun to amplify love and abundance in your life.
• Fire Rituals: Light candles or have a safe outdoor fire to symbolize transformation and illumination.
• Faerie Offerings: Leave offerings, like honey, for the faeries during this time when the veil between worlds is believed to be thinnest.
• Sacred Space: Decorate your altar with summer flowers to honor the season's beauty.
• Midsummer Dew: Collect dew or rainwater overnight to infuse your witch’s cabinet with midsummer's mystical essence.

As we welcome summer in the North and winter in the South, let us remember our unity as inhabitants of one planet, one human family. May this Solstice bring you inspiration and a renewed connection to the cycles of nature.

Shine Brightly!

With infinite love,

~Debbi