Litha (Midsummer)
Edit: Joanna Powell Colbert blog entry about Midsummer is completely and serenely beautiful, swelling that feeling over love towards nature in me. You should take a look at it.
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Continuing on the path of exploring each sabbat as it comes and deciding if I want to adopt it into Michael an my traditions, here we are, at the Summer Solstice. My usual question to you all is at the end of this.
What Litha came from?:
The word Litha comes from the ancient Germanic word for summer but the tradition of celebrating it is probably one of the oldest; we have only to look at Stonehenge to see that. On the wheel of the year Litha is directly across from Yuletide and it symbolizes the to the darkness of winter, marking the start of the wanning year.
This festival has been known by many names other then Litha; ‘Feill-Sheathain’ in Wales, Midsommer is Sweden, Vestalia in the Roman empire. The word solstice comes from the Latin word ‘solstitium’, which translates to ’sun standing still’. People in Sweden considered midsummer to be the greatest festival of the year and the festivities are full of dancing, singing, storytelling, pageantry and feasting. In Ancient Egypt, Midsummer marked the flooding of the Nile, who’s rich mud brought fertility to the lands. Vestalia, which actually falls on June 9th, was a day when the inner sanctum of temple of Vesta (the Roman goddess of the hearth) was revealed and all women could enter to make offerings to the goddess. The Druids would gather mistletoe in the oak groves on this day, because mistletoe without the berries was viewed as an amulet of protection. Amulets which have lost or spent their usefulness were traditionally destroyed on this day as well. Druids nowadays head out to Stonehenge.
Ancient peoples believed that at midsummer plants had miraculous healing powers and therefore they were picked this night. Bonfires were lit to protect against evil spirits which were believed to roam freely because the veil is thin this night. The bonfire ashes were considered to have powerful protection powers and scattering in fields to protect crops till the harvest. Litha is also considered I time of the Fae folk and mischief.
Some traditions see Midsummer as the beginning of the reign of the Holly King as he “conquers” his brother the Oak King bringing the return of darkness. It should be noted the Holly King is of course not evil, nor is his “darkness”. The light of the Oak King represents growth and the dark of the Holly King is rest, both are necessary to replenish the Earth.
Yes I will be celebrating Litha, I have since I started on this path it has been my favorite of the sabbats, though this will be my first year I am “planning” its celebration. To me, Litha it is a time where the Earth is at her peak (at least in the northern hemisphere) and vibrant with energy. The dragonfly is a very powerful symbol to me as well and I feel it is strongest this time of year. The movement of the Sun through the year is very important to me since I am such a “Nature witch” so the equinoxes and solstices hold special meaning to me.
What I will do for it?:
I have so many traditions I would like to incorporate into this time of the year for Michael and I. If only I had a garden but alas… I will spend time with my plants though. But to give a little overview:
Decor: Our apartment is decorated, especially the area around the altar (see picture) I am burning some frankincense at the moment, my favorite scent, I also love the yellow colour of the melting resin. I wish I had some rose oil, but then I would need a diffuser too (can’t believe I don’t have one anymore…)
Foods: We are having people over on Friday for a small Litha get together and having a communal dinner then. I am making some kind of curry (undecided, ideas?), a nectarine and blackberry tart ans cornbread in the shape of a sun to be dipped in honey (the honey symbolizes the sweetness of life and the season.)
In almost a year (the 23rd of next year) Michael and I will be having our handfasting. I’m so excited!
Will you be doing anything for Litha? For anyone who has been to a group Litha ceremony what kind of workings did you do (needing ideas for that…) Blessed Litha everyone!