The gardens are in full flower, and summer has arrived. Fire up the grill, put on the sprinkler, and enjoy the Midsummer celebrations! This summer solstice Sabbat, also known as Litha, commemorates the year’s longest day. Take advantage of the extra hours of daylight by spending as much time as possible outside!
How do I celebrate?
Litha can be celebrated in a variety of ways, depending on your spiritual path, but the focus is almost always on the power of the sun. It’s that time of year when the crops are flourishing and the ground has warmed up. We may spend lengthy, bright days outside, reconnecting with nature throughout the long daylight hours.
Here are a few traditions you might wish to consider:. Remember that, with a little forethought, any of them may be altered for either a single practitioner or a small group. Many ancient tribes celebrated the summer solstice with sun-honoring ceremonies and rituals. Midsummer is celebrated with rituals and prayers that honor the sun and its amazing power. Set up your Litha altar with seasonal symbols such as sun emblems, candles, and midsummer fruits and vegetables, among other things.
- Why not honor the fecundity of the gods with a blazing, roaring fire? It’s the summer solstice, so stay up late and have a campfire. After dark, get sparklers. Worship your gods. Follow bonfire safety rules so no one gets harmed.
- Take your family hiking. Nature is beautiful. Plan a scavenger hunt and have each child bring a “nature bag” Unless you’re wildcrafting, don’t pick living plants. Before you set out, buy a field guide to local flora and prepare yourself to recognize what you observe. Bring a trash bag if you’re hiking in a public park. Try nature meditation if you’re traveling alone.
- Drum circle or spiral dance? This requires a huge group, but it’s entertaining once everyone’s moving. A drum circle or ritualized dance is both fascinating and energizing. Invite friends over and tell them there will be music and dancing. After drumming and dancing, give refreshments.
- Help others. Donate. Yard sale money should go to a homeless shelter. Donate summer clothes to a children’s hospital. Host a dog wash for a shelter and ask for cash or pet food. Trim and weed communal common spaces. If you don’t have time for a major job, start small. Help a senior with housework. Help a sick relative with groceries. Help a new mom with daycare so she can relax. With longer days, there’s more time to aid others.
- Turn off the phone, walk away from the computer and television, and spend time just having fun with the people who care the most about you. If feasible, take the day off work and spend it any way you want—at the zoo, a museum, a baseball game, etc.
Solar magic, myths, and stories abound, and many societies have venerated the sun as part of religious practice throughout history. The Sun Dance is an essential aspect of Native American spirituality.
The summer solstice is also related to ancient Roman events such as the Vestalia and ancient constructions such as stone circles seen all over the world.
This is an excellent time of year to go outside and harvest your own herbs. Do you want to go wildcrafting? Make sure you do so in a respectful and responsible manner.
Although June is a popular month for weddings, if you are a Pagan or Wiccan, a Handfasting ceremony may be more suited. Discover the history of this tradition, how to plan a spectacular ceremony, how to choose a cake, and some amazing gift ideas for your guests!
Handfasting is a historical ritual that has recently witnessed a return in popularity. There are several ways to include a magical ceremony that honors your beliefs on your wedding day. You could even wish to include some of the deities of love and marriage in your ceremony!
If you’re not sure how to do a handfasting, make sure you have someone who is legally qualified to do it, especially if you want a state-licensed marriage. You may build your ceremony using a simple handfasting ceremony template, and you might wish to include a Pagan-friendly ritual like broom-jumping as part of your celebration.
Don’t forget about the cake! When choosing your handfasting cake, keep a few simple guidelines in mind.
No Pagan festival is complete until it is accompanied by a feast. Celebrate Litha with delicacies that commemorate the sun’s fire and vigor, as well as a delectable pot of Midsummer mead.
