Midsummer - June 21/22
Litha is a Solar Holiday and sacred to the Sun God.
Other Names - Summer Solstice, Midsummer, Alban Hefine, Sun Blessing, Gathering Day, Feill-Sheathain, Whit Sunday, Whitsuntide, Vestalia, Thing-Tide, St. John's Day.
Colors Associated with Litha - Green, Gold, Tan, Golden Yellows and Oranges.
Symbols - Fire, The Sun, Blades, Mistletoe, Oak Trees, Balefire, Sun Wheels, Faeries.
Herbs and Plants - Lemon, Oak, Mistletoe, Frankincense, Sandalwood, Heliotrope, Copal, Saffron, Galangal, Laurel, Yang-Yang.
Stones -Emerald, Jade, Tiger's Eye, Lapis Lazuli, Diamond.
Food - Fresh fruits like lemons and oranges, foods with a golden color like carrots, oranges, food in the shape of the Sun. To drink golden liquids� cider, light beer, white and ros� wines sweet pale sherry and mead, also fruit juices made from summer fruits.
Deities - Father Gods, Mother Goddesses, Pregnant Goddesses, Sun Gods.
Traditions - rise at dawn to greet the Sun. Jumping Balefire, performing magic of all kinds, Nature Spirit communication.
Recipe for Litha
Lemonade/lemon shake -ups
6 to 8 lemons
Water
Sugar
Ice
To make by the glass...
Wash lemons and cut into quarters. Add 3 � 4 lemon quarters to 12 oz. of water in a container large enough to cover and shake, add sugar to taste and ice, shake well. Pour into glass to serve.
To make more than one glass at a time.
Wash lemons and cut into quarters, add pieces to a gallon container large enough to shake, add sugar (about a cup) and ice, shake well.
