Litha is the summer solstice: the longest day and the shortest night. The sun is at its highest, the land is in full leaf, and the year reaches its peak. From the next day, almost unnoticeably, the days begin to shorten.
Litha at a glance
- Northern Hemisphere
- The summer solstice, between June 20 and 23
- Southern Hemisphere
- The summer solstice, between December 20 and 23
- Pronounced
- LITH-uh
- Also called
- Midsummer, the summer solstice
- Kind of festival
- Solar festival
- Themes
- Abundance, strength, gratitude, protection, light
- Colors
- Gold, yellow, orange, green, blue
- Symbols
- The sun, sunflowers, oak leaves, bonfires, bees and honey
- Foods
- Summer fruit, fresh vegetables, honey, herb teas, lemonade
Where Litha comes from
Midsummer has been celebrated for a very long time. Prehistoric monuments in several countries are aligned to the solstice sunrise or sunset. In historical times, midsummer bonfires were lit across Europe, from Ireland to Russia, on the nights around June 23. People danced around them, leaped over the embers for luck, and rolled burning wheels down hillsides to represent the sun.
Midsummer was also the great night for gathering herbs. Plants picked at the solstice were believed to be at their strongest, and the best known of them, with its bright yellow flowers, is still called St. John's wort after the midsummer feast day.
The name Litha is more recent in this use. It comes from an Anglo-Saxon name for the months around midsummer, recorded in the eighth century, and it was given to the Wiccan festival in the 1970s. Many Pagans simply say Midsummer.
What Litha means on the Wheel
In the Wiccan story, the God stands at the height of his power at Litha, and the Goddess is heavy with the coming harvest. In the tale of the two kings, the Holly King defeats the Oak King at midsummer and rules while the days shorten toward Yule.
The lesson of Litha mirrors that of Yule. At the brightest moment, the turn toward the dark begins. Litha asks you to enjoy fullness completely while it is here, and to hold it lightly.
Ways to celebrate
- Greet the sun. Be outdoors for the sunrise, the sunset, or both, and spend as much of the day outside as you can.
- Light a fire. A bonfire where it is safe and permitted, or a gold candle at dusk.
- Gather and dry herbs. Harvest from your garden in the morning, once the dew has dried, and hang the bunches somewhere airy. See herbal magick.
- Make sun tea. Steep mint or lemon balm in a very clean jar of water in the sunshine for no more than three or four hours. Then chill it at once, and drink it the same day.
- Feast outdoors. Share the first fruits of summer with people you love.
- Give thanks. Write a list of what is flourishing in your life.
A simple ritual
Thanks to the sun
You will need
- A place outdoors, or a sunny window
- A gold or yellow candle in a safe holder
- A glass of water, juice, or herb tea
What to do
- At noon or at sunset on the solstice, stand where you can feel the sun.
- Close your eyes and feel the warmth on your face for several slow breaths.
- Light the candle and say: "The sun is at its height. I give thanks for the light."
- Name aloud three things that have grown or ripened in your life since the winter.
- Raise the glass to the sun, drink half, and pour the rest onto the ground.
- Put the candle out safely.
Sun safety and fire safety
Midsummer heat deserves respect. Wear a hat, drink water, and never look directly at the sun. In dry weather, do not light any outdoor flame, and check local fire restrictions before you plan a bonfire. A candle on a kitchen table honors the sun just as well.
In the Southern Hemisphere, Litha falls in December. On the June solstice, Southern Hemisphere witches are keeping Yule.