rom the Litha bonfire and to use these as charms against harm, foul weather during harvest, and some would distribute the embers around the crops and orchards trusting that this would protect the crops and would guarantee a profuse harvest.
Other people would bring a Litha fire ember home with them and position it atop the hearth, while others would decorate their home with birch, fennel, St. John’s Wort, and White Lillie's for blessings and protection.
Ancient Celts celebrated Midsummer with large hilltop bonfires and took time to show their respect for the space between the earth and the heavens. They viewed this as a time to once again recognize the balance between fire and water. Various European cultures would celebrate Midsummer by setting giant wheels on fire and then propelling them down hills into bodies of water.
When the Saxons came to the British Isles, they carried their customs with them, one of which was called ‘June Aerra Litha’. They marked Midsummer by creating large bonfires and rejoicing in the power of the sun over darkness.
The Romans considered this day sacred to Juno, who was not only the wife of Jupiter, but also the Goddess of women and childbirth. She was also known to be called Juno Luna who blessed women with the honor of menstruation. This day was also a blessed day for showing reverence to Vesta, who was the Goddess of the hearth. Numerous Matriarchs would visit Vesta’s temples and leave gifts of salted meal. They would continue to do this for eight days, anticipating that Vesta would bestow her blessings upon their homes.
Some Native American tribes in the Great Plains of North America saw the sun as a physical expression of the Great Spirit. They would perform a Sun Dance to not only venerate the sun and the Great Spirit, but also to bring visions to the young warrior dancers, and to test the strength and vigor of these young warriors. The Sun Dance would go on for several days, and during this time the dancers would refrain from eating.The dancers would dance until they fell to the ground unconscious, which could take up to three or four days. It was often recounted by the dancers that they had received either a vision or a Spirit Walk at some point during the celebration.
Litha for many, is a time to celebrate with a childlike innocence. Forget the anxiety and pressures of winter and spend days savoring the sunlight. This is a time to absorb the sun’s warm rays and energies. Litha is a time to rejoice and frolic in the enjoyment of the day, and to celebrate the green and blooming Earth, the joys of summer, abundance, fertility, riches of Nature. This is also a wonderful time for gardeners.
Remember that the Goddess is an extraordinarily Generous Mother who gives life and fruitfulness to all of her children. An exceptional way to increase your bond with the Goddess at this time is to strive to be as generous as she is.
This is a celebration not only for the end of the waxing year, but also the beginning of the waning year. This is simply another turn of the Wheel of the Year.
This is also a perfect time to celebrate the fertility of humans, animals, and crops alike.
Wiccans acknowledge this as a time when the Goddess is pregnant from the copulation at Beltaine. So the Goddess is honored at this time for her upcoming motherhood. The Sun God is celebrated as the sun comes to its apex in the sky, and is approaching fatherhood. Goddess manifests as Mother Earth and God as the Sun King
Many people also see this as a struggle between the Oak King (who rules between winter and summer) and the Holly King (who rules from summer to winter). It is at Midsummer that the Holly King overthrows the Oak King and establishes his reign.
Various Methods of Observing Litha/Midsummer/Summer Solstice
Spend time outside
- Go for a hike
- Do an outdoors or nature meditation
- Work in your garden or volunteer to help out in a neighbors garden
Have a barbecue and/or bonfire
- Invite friends and family
- Feast on summer foods (such as watermelon, strawberries, and salads)
- Plan a Litha or Midsummer Ritual by the 