Litha

Litha is a time known as the summer solstice or midsummer. It’s timing in the year differs from each hemisphere as for the northern it is the 20th-23rd of June and in the Southern Hemisphere it is in December, 20th-23rd. The celebration of Litha is about virility, growth and success. Due to it being the middle of summer it is said to also be known for healing, love and growth. Some tales speak of this being a day of a battle between the Oak King and the Holly King. The Oak King represents the daylight and rules from the winter solstice (Yule) to Litha. The Holly King wins this battle during this extra long day as the days steadily get darker until Yule. Another way some view Litha is that this day is when the Sun God is at the peak of his virility and the Sun Goddess is with child. Others say this is also when the Horned God and Mother Nature are at their peak. This includes Mother Nature being heavily pregnant. Some things you could possibly do are protection, love, healing, and wealth spells. You can even decorate a space/alter with yellow candles, flowers such as roses and sunflowers, river stones, and even seashells. It’s also popular to have a bonfire during this season as well as jumping over them for good luck. Other european traditions include setting large wheels on fire, and then proceeding to roll them down a hill into a body of water. Colors associated with the day are greens, yellows, gold and reds as they are the most prominent colors that come to mind when you think of summer. Another way to celebrate would be heading out into nature for a picnic and enjoying the feeling of the Sun on your skin. Some witches even find this to be a good time to make sun water.