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Summer Solstice falls midway between the two equinoxes. The ancient Celtic year consisted of two primary seasons with summer(big
sun) beginning at Beltane and winter(little sun) beginning at Samhain. Summer solstice is also referred to Litha because of
the Anglo-Saxon phrase Aerra Litha, which ment "before midsummer." Themes for this passage of the year are fertility
and fire.
In the Dianis tradition, this is a celebration of the Goddess's power of fire. Hestia, Vesta, Pele, Artemis, and Brigid are
specifically honored. The Great Goddess is in her full mother aspect. She is the full moon of summer. It is a time of year
when everything is ripening. This aspect is synonymous with adulthood and knowlegde, as well as developing the body, mind,
and spirit in balance. Litha celebrates the Sun King and the Queen of Summer. For the Sun King(known as Lugh and Beli Mawr
to the Celts) this is more or less a wake because as the Wheel of the Year makes its turn, he begins his decline into the
darkness.
Like many celebrations throughout the year, bonfires were an important part of the revelry. In the farming communities of
Europe, ashes from the solstice bonfire were sprinkled into the fields to promote fertility of the land. It was also a time
when our ancestors would seek the Goddess's blessing and protection for the animals which they depended upon.
As late as the 18th century in England, bonfires would be lit on all the hilltops around the countryside. Like other Sabbats,
Litha is a time for divination, and the embers from the bonfires are used to tell fortunes. Oak is generally used to create
a long burning fire. Oak is significant at this time of year because in the Celtic tree calender, June(for the most part)
is the month of oak. Throughout the year Druids worshipped in sacred oak groves.
Stonehenge is the most famous of monuments that mark the sun's course, but there are many others, some of which are a mix
of Pagan and Christion tradition. For example, on the flagstone floor of Chartres Cathedral in France, the midday summer solstice
sun casts a circle of light on a diamond-shaped stone.
The herb St. Johns Wort is in full bloom in June; a sprig of it was placed over the doorways of houses, as well as tossed
into the solstice bonfire to guard against faery mischief. In medieval England, garlands of St. Johns Wort were woven with
marigolds and ivy. These were placed around the necks of farm animals. St. Johns Wort has been used medically for over two
thousand years, and is still a favorite of many herbalists for a range of aliments.
For other extra info about Litha click one of the following links
Link 1
Link 2
Keep in mind that a ritual can be changed from solitary to group with a simple arrangement of who says what. Changes from
group to solitary can be just as simple, except in cases where a reenactment is done. The type of ritual(solo/group) is listed
at the top of the ritual page and anything in italics is what is said or chanted in the ritual. With that in mind Blessed
be and happy rituals!
Litha Ritual 1
Litha Ritual 2
Litha Ritual 3
Litha Ritual 4
Litha Ritual 5
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