Litha: Celebrating the Power of the Sun
As the Wheel of the Year turns, we arrive at Litha, also known as Midsummer or the Summer Solstice. Celebrated around June 20-22, Litha is the longest day and shortest night of the year, when the sun is at its peak strength. This festival is a time of abundance, vitality, and solar magic, honoring the fire of the sun and the growth of the earth.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the history of Litha, activities to celebrate, decoration ideas, festive foods, incense blends, and powerful spellwork to harness the energy of this vibrant sabbat.
The History of Litha
Litha has been celebrated for centuries in pagan and pre-Christian cultures, honoring the Sun God and the fertility of the earth. The name "Litha" comes from the Anglo-Saxon word for midsummer, and this festival was seen as a turning point of the year, when the power of the sun began to wane as we moved toward autumn.
The Celts & Druids celebrated Midsummer with bonfires, feasting, and rituals to ensure prosperity, protection, and good health.
The Norse people honored Balder, the sun god, who was said to be at his strongest during this time.
Slavic and European traditions included jumping over fires for fertility and luck and celebrating with dancing and divination rituals.
Today, Litha remains a powerful time to embrace the sun’s energy, celebrate abundance, and honor the balance of light and dark as we prepare for the second half of the year.
Activities to Celebrate Litha
Watch the Sunrise & Sunset
Since Litha is the longest day of the year, take time to watch the sunrise and sunset, offering gratitude for the light and warmth that sustains life.
Light a Bonfire (or Candle)
Fire is a sacred element of Litha, representing the power of the sun and transformation. If you can’t have a bonfire, light gold or orange candles to honor the fire energy.
Make a Sun Wheel or Solar Symbols
Create a sun wheel (solar cross) using flowers, twigs, and ribbons, or paint sun symbols on stones to decorate your altar.
Honor Water & the Sun’s Reflection
Since Midsummer is also associated with sacred wells and healing waters, take a ritual bath infused with herbs, visit a natural body of water, or leave moon-charged water in the sun for extra energy.
Gather Herbs for Magic & Healing
Litha is a powerful time for gathering magical herbs, as they are said to be at their peak potency. Harvest rosemary, thyme, mugwort, chamomile, lavender, or St. John’s Wort for later spellwork.
Practice Love & Abundance Magic
Midsummer is the perfect time for love spells, fertility rituals, and abundance magic. Write intentions for growth and prosperity and burn them in a fire to release them into the universe.
Divination & Dream Magic
Since the veil between worlds is thin, Litha is an excellent time for divination. Try using tarot cards, runes, or fire scrying for insight into the months ahead.
Decorations for Litha
Litha decor is all about celebrating the sun, the earth’s abundance, and fiery energy. Here are some ideas to bring Midsummer magic into your space:
Sunflowers & Bright Summer Flowers – Symbolize the strength of the sun and the abundance of nature.
Gold, Yellow, Red, & Orange Candles – Represent fire energy, the sun, and vitality.
Oak Leaves & Acorns – Honor the Oak King, who reigns at the height of summer.
Bowls of Water with Floating Flowers or Herbs – Balance the fire and water energies of Litha.
Solar Symbols & Spirals – Paint or carve solar symbols into stones or wooden discs to attract positive energy.
Food for a Litha Feast
Litha is a time of abundant fresh food, fruit, and light meals that honor the sun’s energy. Try including these delicious seasonal foods:
Honey Cakes & Mead – Honey is sacred to the gods of the sun and represents prosperity and sweetness.
Grilled Vegetables & Corn on the Cob – Celebrate the earth’s abundance with fresh, seasonal produce.
Summer Berries & Fruits – Strawberries, raspberries, and peaches are ripe and bursting with sun energy.
Homemade Bread & Sun Cakes – Symbolize nourishment and the cycle of life.
Herbal Teas & Lemonade – Infuse drinks with mint, chamomile, or lavender for refreshing summer magic.
Incense & Scents for Litha
Enhance your Litha rituals with sun-inspired incense and essential oils:
Frankincense & Myrrh – For spiritual growth and enlightenment.
Citrus (Orange, Lemon, Grapefruit) – To uplift and energize.
Chamomile & Lavender – For peace, relaxation, and protection.
Rosemary & Basil – For abundance, clarity, and healing.
Spellwork for Litha
Sun Energy Blessing Spell
- Place a bowl of water under the sun for several hours to absorb solar energy.
- Use this charged water to anoint your forehead, hands, or tools for strength, protection, and clarity.
Fire Release Ritual
- Write down anything you wish to release or transform in your life.
- Light a bonfire or candle, and burn the paper, visualizing the energy being released and purified.
Herb Protection Charm
- Gather St. John’s Wort, rosemary, and oak leaves.
- Tie them together with red thread and hang them near your doorway for protection and luck.
Love & Passion Spell
- Carve a heart or sun symbol into a red candle.
- Anoint it with cinnamon or rose oil and light it while visualizing passion and joy flowing into your life.
Divination for the Future
- Use fire scrying (gazing into a flame) or tarot cards to receive messages from the divine.
Conclusion
Litha is a time of joy, vitality, and celebrating the power of the sun. Whether you light a fire, feast on summer foods, gather herbs, or perform spells for love and abundance, this festival encourages us to embrace the fullness of life and honor the balance of light and dark.
May the energy of Litha fill your life with warmth, prosperity, and magic! Blessed Be!