Midsummer, which is also known as the summer solstice or Litha, is the longest day and the shortest night of the year here in the northern hemisphere. This year it is going to take place on June 20th. Now, of course, depending on where you are in the northern hemisphere and your climate, it may not exactly be the middle of summer for you as far as climate goes, but it does mark the energetic climax of the year when the sun is at its full power. It is after Litha that we come into the waning season where the days begin to grow shorter and we are saying goodbye to the light half of the year.
Summer Solstice Lore
The summer solstice has been observed by almost every culture in our world at one time or another because, of course, they were much more in tune with the cycles of the Earth and would have definitely known that the longest day of the year was something significant to them. The word solstice comes from the Latin SOL meaning sun and STITIUM meaning to stand still. For our ancestors, it may have seemed that the sun was actually standing still in the sky for a couple days. Historically this marked the end of the planting season and the beginning of the earliest harvest. This was also considered a time to celebrate the abundance and the beauty of earth. Because the flowers are in bloom. Gardens are producing vegetables and the trees are ripe with fruit.
Litha marked the end of the Oak King’s reign, and then the rise of the Holly King who oversees the world as the days gradually get shorter as we descend into the dark part of the year. This was something that was believed and followed by certain pagan groups.
Fire Festival
Being a festival so deeply connected with the sun, lighting candles, or bonfires are very much involved in the celebration. The Celts, for instance, celebrated summer solstice with hilltop bonfires and dancing while others involved rolling fire wheels down hills into lakes or ponds. It is said that by jumping over the fire it will bring extra luck and abundance for the rest of the year, but you may not want to do that with a huge bonfire, but you could do it over a candle or a small fire in a cauldron.
Flowers are a traditional way to decorate for Litha ,you can make flower crowns, wreaths, garlands or just put them up in your home. Use whatever flowers are blooming in your area. It is just another way to honor and acknowledge the abundance and the beauty of this gorgeous time of year. Also,by greeting the sun as it begins to rise on this longest day of the year that is a wonderful way to soak in the sun and to give thanks for its life-giving energies.
And I’m sure that no one can forget that there are so many ancient monuments that are aligned to the sunrise of the summer solstice. We have New Grange in Ireland and of course Stonehenge in England and those are only a few. We have many in America as well.
However you wish to celebrate this amazing day, make sure it is a day filled with joy and abundance and celebration.
Mistress Syren
Mistress Syren is the head witch in charge at Tales from the Coven. She has a podcast to help teach and share with her community. She creates candles, oils, sprays and handmade jewelry all infused with magick. Syren has been tattooing and creating magical tattoo experiences for almost 30 years now. Find her at www.talesfromthecoven.com
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