Litha (the Summer Solstice) marks the longest day of the year. IN northern European lore, the Summer Solstice marks the battle between the Oak King and the Holly King, figures representing the waxing and the waning forces of Nature. On the day of the Summer Solstice, the Holly King defeats his brother, the Oak King. Even though this is the longest day of the year, the days begin to grow shorter from this time forward.
In southern Europe, ritual battles were enacted by groups such as the Benandanti. Fennel and sorghum stalks were used as symbols of light and darkness in a battle over the fertility of crops and herds. In Italian Witchcraft the Summer Solstice is the celebration of the anticipation of plenty, the bounty of Nature, and the coming of the harvest season.
In many modern Celtic-based Traditions of Wicca/Witchcraft, the Summer Solstice festival is called Litha. The word Litha is derived from the Angle-Saxon word lida, which means moon. Some commentators have suggested that aerra lida corresponded to the month of June in the Anglo-Saxon calendar, while aefterra lida corresponded to July. Some modern Celtic-oriented Wiccans believe that Litha was actually the ancient of the Summer Solstice, although there is no historical evidence to confirm this. In the popular fictional work titled The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien, the author uses the word Lithe to denote Midsummer�s Day. In modern Wicca the use of the word Litha for the name for the Summer Solstice first publicly appears in the late 1970�s in such works as the The Spiral Dance by Starhawk.
From: Spirit of the Witch by Raven Grimassi
Midsummer, the Summer Solstice (circa June 21), also known as Litha, arrives when the posers of nature reach their highest point. The Earth is awash in the fertility of the Goddess and God.
In the past, bonfires were leapt to encourage fertility, purification, health and love. The fire once again represents the Sun, feted on this time of the longest daylight hours.
Midsummer is a classic time for magic of all kinds. Healings, love magic and protections are especially suitable. Herbs can be dried over the ritual fire if you�re celebrating outdoors. Leap the fire for purification and renewed energy.
Fresh fruits are standard fare for Midsummer.
From Wicca A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham
Bittersweet in its celebration, the summer solstice is the apex of the sun�s strength but also the moment he begins his descent into death. The duality of the Oak and Holly kings is honored now as at Yule, with the Holly King of the waning year wrestling rule from the Oak King of spring�s new life. The decline of the year is acknowledged, but not truly recognized as yet since there�s a lot of good weather still to be had and bountiful harvests to come.
The hottest weather has not yet begun, the heat of August around the corner yet. And it is this blistering heat that kills � the power of the waning king causes crops to both wither and ripen � without the ripening death of the golden grains, we would not have the bread that sustains us.
Like many of our sabbats, Midsummer is considered to be on of the times when the veil is thinner, and faeries come amongst the mortals. One of Shakespeare�s most popular plays, A Midsummer Night�s Dream, is based on the meddling of the Faerie Kingdom in the love lives of several mortals, with much confusion, magic, and marriage the result. Of course, June is the most popular month of the year for weddings as well.
Another traditionally important aspect of Midsummer is ritual bathing and purification. Some traditions instruct us to bathe in the light of the Midsummer sun, but others say that people would go down to the lakes and rivers to purify themselves and be endowed with health and strength. Just as on Beltane morning, ladies are also advised to wash their faces with Midsummer dew �so they will be lovely throughout the year.�
Flowers are another important aspect of Midsummer, especially the roses which are at their height of beauty. In Scandinavia, Midsummer festivities are a lot like Beltane farther south (presumably because of the climate) and include romance, flower divination to find your mat and even a maypole. In Cornwall, England, a Midsummer ceremony that is traditionally performed in Cornish centers around the tossing of a mixed bouquet of flowers and weeds into the bonfire. The �Lady of the Flowers� approaches the fire and says, �In one bunch together bound, flowers for burning here are found, both good and ill. Thousandfold let good seed spring, wicked weeds, fast withering, let this fire kill!�
A traditional Midsummer song from Cornwall, which almost seems like a Beltane ballad, speaks of the solstice bonfire and quite a lot of romantic activities. Unfortunately, I�ve been unable to locate a source for the tune, but you could read it as a poem or do what they did in medieval times � make up your own melody.
The bonny month June is crowned
With the sweet scarlet rose;
The groves and meadows all around
With lovely pleasures flows.
As I walked out to yonder green,
One evening so fair;
All where the fair maids may be seen
Playing at the bonfire.
Hail! Lovely nymphs, be not too coy,
But freely yield your charms;
Let love inspire with mirth and joy,
In cupid�s lovely arms.
Bright Luna spreads its light around,
The gallants for to cheer;
As they lay sporting on the ground,
At the fair June bonfire.
All on the pleasant dewy mead,
They shared each other�s charms;
Till Phoebus� beams began to spread,
And coming day alarms.
Whilst larks and linnets sing so sweet,
To cheer each lovely swain;
Let each prove true unto their love,
And so farewell the plain.
Midsummer is also known as St. John�s Eve, and it�s interesting to note that just as Jesus was born at Yule, John the Baptist was born at Litha, the duality of the kings of life and death seen once again. To further the comparison, John the Baptist is sometimes called the �Oak King� and depicted with horns and cloven feet, rather like Pan. He is also called by Jesus � a bright and shining light.� English holly is sometimes called �Christ�s thorn� and so we see the Holly King and Oak King wearing Christian masks. St. John�s Wort is on of the traditional Midsummer decorations, and it is burned in the solstice fire with the other flowers.
Whether it be coincidence or no, St. John�s Wort has a number of connections to the sun. The flowers are a lovely bright yellow, with many stamens in the center that remind on of the rays of the sun coming out from the middle of the five flat, shiny yellow petals that surround them. The attractive herb is now known to benefit those suffering from depression and SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder, which is thought to be aggravated by the lack of sunlight in winter. Is it any wonder that such a solar plant would be able to help bring a little summer happiness into the hearts of people that are (literally) sick of winter? But Witches don�t need scientists or drug companies to tell us that.
From a purely scientific standpoint, it might seem superstitious to have a bonfire on the solstice in imitation of the sun, but science actually supports the practice in ways our ancestors couldn�t have known. By burning wood and other plant materials, we are releasing the stored energy in those items. Where did the energy come from? Primarily from the sun � so by having a bonfire we truly do have a bit of the sun�s fire and energy right here before us on earth.
Many groups hold a traditional Midsummer bonfire as their way of saying goodbye to the sun, mimicking its fiery nature, purifying themselves and their belongings and getting rid of unwanted things. Some bonfire customs called for two small fires which people walked and drove their livestock between to ensure good health, while others had one large fire that people walked around deosil for the same purpose.
Sword Dancing
Another summertime tradition, one with no real fixed calendar date, is the variation of Morris dancing known as sword dancing. While the origins of the ritual is supposedly lost to antiquity, some of the elements seem perfect for the death of the Oak King and rise to power of the Holly King. The dancers, between five and eight usually, work with specially made blunt, supple swords. They begin with simple routines, such as a straight line that breaks to a circle like other Morris dances, but as time goes on the dancing becomes more and more intricate and intense, finally ending in a �lock� of interwoven swords that can be held aloft with one hand.
From: Sabbat Entertaining Celebrating the Wiccan Holidays with Style by Willow Polson
Summer Solstice (June 22):
The Roman festival of Vesta occurred in June. Vesta was the goddess of the hearth and of sacred fire itself. The Lare (ancestral spirits) were under her domain. These Lare were originally spirits of cultivated fields. They are derived from the Etruscan Lasa who were spirits of fields and meadows. The Lasa are identical to the old concepts of fairies throughout Europe. The Mid-Summer festival is connected to fairies and magickal times. In the Roman festival of Vesta, with her Lare, we see the theme of the Queen of the Fairies on Mid-Summer�s Eve.
It is said that on the night of Summer�s Eve, all the spirits of nature are in celebration. Fairies, elves, and all the �little folk� gather in meadows, forests, and any secret or hidden place. If you see them or can find any evidence of their celebration the next day, then you will receive a special blessing. Should you come across any of their gathering sites, be sure not to disturb anything. Leave everything as you found it.
From: Italian Witchcraft by Raven Grimassi
