The Origins and Practices of Litha and How to Celebrate

As the wheel of the year turns, we arrive at Litha, also known as the Summer Solstice, the longest day and the shortest night of the year. Celebrated around June 20-23 in the Northern Hemisphere, Litha marks the peak of the sun’s power, illuminating the earth with warmth, abundance, and life.

This powerful sabbat is a celebration of light, fertility, joy, and the bountiful gifts of nature. It is a time when the earth is at her fullest expression, offering vibrant colors, lush growth, and the intoxicating scents of midsummer blooms.

The Origins of Litha

Litha’s name is derived from the ancient Anglo-Saxon word for “midsummer.” This sabbat has been celebrated across cultures and times under different names, including Alban Hefin (Druidic), Midsummer, St. John’s Day (Christianized traditions), and Feast of the Faeries.

In pagan and Wiccan traditions, Litha is a fire festival that honors the Sun at its zenith—a moment of victory, yet also a turning point, as the days will now begin to shorten. Many myths tell of the battle between the Oak King and the Holly King, where the Oak King (ruler of the waxing year) is defeated by the Holly King (ruler of the waning year), symbolizing the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

Midsummer was also a time of magic, love, and protection, where herbs were believed to be at their most potent, and the veil between worlds was thin enough to allow faerie blessings—or mischief.

Modern Practices for Litha

Today, spiritual seekers celebrate Litha as a joyful and high-energy sabbat that honors abundance, fertility, love, and the triumph of light. It is a perfect time to soak in the sun’s power, express gratitude for nature’s blessings, and set intentions for the remainder of the year.

Here are meaningful ways to celebrate:

Ways to Celebrate Litha

1. Honor the Sun: Spend time outdoors, bask in the warmth of the sun, or meditate at sunrise or sunset to connect with solar energy.

2. Create a Sun Altar: Decorate your altar with sunflowers, gold candles, citrus fruits, and symbols of the sun.

3. Light a Bonfire or Candle: Fire is central to Litha celebrations. Light a bonfire, candle, or even a lantern to honor the sun’s peak.

4. Make a Flower Crown: Gather wildflowers and herbs to create a crown—an ancient tradition symbolizing joy, beauty, and connection with the earth.

5. Craft and Bless Herb Bundles: Collect herbs like lavender, rosemary, and St. John’s Wort to make protective bundles or teas.

6. Feast on Summer’s Bounty: Celebrate the earth’s abundance with fresh fruits, vegetables, and honey.

7. Dance, Drum, and Celebrate Love: Express your joy through movement, music, and laughter.

On this day of radiant light,
May the sun’s warmth fill your spirit.
May your heart bloom like the flowers of midsummer,
And may joy, passion, and abundance dance upon your path.

As the wheel turns,
May you honor the cycles within and around you,
Grateful for what has grown,
Hopeful for what is still to come.

Blessed Litha to you,
May your days be golden and your heart ever bright.

A Blessing for Litha