Litha also known as Midsummer , Estival Solstice and the Summer Solstice is the time in summer which signifies the longest day of the year. It’s a time which is celebrated as a fertility and light festival as the sun has reached its highest place in the sky with the longest time of daylight. Traditionally it is a festival celebrated all around the world, some which hold rites which includes dancing, feasting and ritualistic sacrifice. These days the focus of this festival by neo pagans and witches is placed upon the sun and acknowledging its movement within their hemisphere.
This year in the Southern Hemisphere calendar, it falls on Friday the 22ndth of December at 1.27pm (AEST). Gods such as Nuit, Hathor, Sekhmet, Ra, Horus, Aten, Apollo, Lugh, Mercury, Hestia, Juno, Lugh, Sulis Minerva, Huitzilopochtil, Sol and Amaterasu, can be honoured during this time of year.
I have celebrated the Summer Solstice with groups of people in various settings and alone, and the one thing which I found linked them, was celebrating the festive season with specially prepared food. Something which I have experienced often during this festival day, is the acknowledgement of the sun and its power as well as it being the last sabbat of the year which coincides with Christmas and Hanukah.
One of the fondest memories I have during this time of year is celebrating the Summer Solstice with my coven where a member would make an ice wreath which had herbs and flowers placed in layers which she collected by season over the year. A lit white candle anointed in oils was placed within the wreath and had pride of place in the centre of the circle during our ritual.
In my coven and magickal groups we would always have fires usually in the form of a firepit or fireplace where we performed rites to celebrate the significance of the day. We would also exchange gifts and share food which had either been hand-made or which had been specifically acquired for the day.
During this time of year, I notice that my garden is booming with new growth due to the heat and rain. My sultana grape vine is bursting forth and I collect the excess of leaves for garlands to adorn my shrines. I also have many fruits and vegetables which are available to pick from my garden to also include in the foods I prepare for feasting or make as offerings to my gods and ancestors.
I like to acknowledge and thank the traditional owners of the land as well my garden and the Devas of the land and its blessings by leaving tokens and offerings throughout my garden. I ensure the bird bath and feeders are well stocked, as well as encourage any insects or bees which pollinate my garden by leaving them appropriate food such as organic honey water. I plant or replant herbs and flowers which encourage the local bees and birds and I allow them to partake of my fruit and vegetables without nets or pesticides.
During this time of year I also tend to cook and bake as a way to infuse my personal energies with the offerings I make to my Gods, Ancestors and land spirits. I use what is in season and usually make roasted vegetables and falafel, fresh salads, baked country bread, Greek and Middle eastern dips, olives, feta, pickled vegetables and pita and serve them with herbal iced tea and juice. I also bake sweets like layered seasonal cakes or cookies and platter various summer fruits for desert. I take some of these offerings and leave them upon Hekate’s, Sekhmet/Hathor’s and my ancestors shrines during my seasonal devotionals.
Since the summer solstice ends up being around Christmas I also ensure I have baked items which resonate with this holiday such as shortbread and gingerbread and share them with co-workers, neighbours and friends. I recite prayers to my ancestors in front of their shrines to acknowledge them and also leave various offerings of what I have prepared during the season.
I personally feel that Hekate resonates with this time of the year. The light is at its peak as is the potential within us to take up her torches and ignite or rekindle the energies we want to fully immerse ourselves in. The surrounding vibrations swirl with vitality so now is the time for action as the sun is at its absolute pinnacle and available for us to bring down into our lives. As our days are filled with heat use the flames of Hekate to take that strength which is available to you and use it to feed your projects which need that spark or extra boost.
Hekate can also be a force of cleansing and movement. Hekate helps us use the liminal places she inhabits to bury or wash away that which needs purifying and helps us turn our attention towards that which needs planting. She does this by assisting us to eradicate or remove the negligent things in our lives to make way for the positive things we need.
I personally like to honour Hekate during this time and make offerings of wine, bread, eggs, cheese, olive oil, garlic, pomegranate, incense, candles, water, salt and biscuits and also items I have made which I have wildcrafted and resonate with the seasons energies. I also like to create a fire pit with old herbs, plants and tree branches which I can’t upcycle into my Hellenic firepit before my chthonic shrine to Hekate in my garden. Lastly I tend to create in her name with regards to magic which I conduct in liminal spaces such as the beach or forest with like minders others or on my own during liminal times such as sunset, sunrise as well as the middle of the day.
Seasonal Planting Guide:
Vegetables such as cucumber, corn, squash, spring onion, silver beet, onion, lettuce, beans, tomato, capsicum, sweet potato, artichoke, beetroot, shallots, cauliflower, celery, radish, okra and eggplant.
Herbs such as basil, coriander, lemongrass, mint, tarragon, thyme, chives, marjoram, oregano, parsley, fennel and rosemary.
Flowers such as sunflowers, carnations, poppies, petunias, nasturtiums, daisies, dahlias, zinnias and celosias.
Some things you can do to honour and mark the summer solstice in your personal practice (or with a group of likeminded individuals) can be:
- Make food usually consumed during this time and partake or share with loved ones, as well as leave as offerings to your gods or gods of the season, land spirits and ancestors. It’s the perfect time for a BBQ and anything which can be shared and is seasonal.
- Host a Misfit Christmas which you can host in your home or park/beach for those who don’t have anywhere to go during the festive season. A good way to do this is by having a pot luck and having everyone bring something to share which can encourage sharing and opens conversations.
- Dance or drum to raise energy and direct it into the earth.
- Perform a ritual to celebrate and mark the sun at its peak and its blessings it brings upon the earth.
- Take a sun bath (ensuring to protect yourself from the UV rays) which can take the form of meditation or yoga.
- Rituals, spells and magick for fertility, creativity, passion and endeavours which you want to see growth in (especially when held in the middle of the day).
- Go outside into nature and take in the beauty whether it be a beach, forest, park or garden. Whilst there wildcraft and acknowledge the bounty of the earth by giving thanks.
- Dedicate some time to assisting those who are in need, marginalised or alone during this time who need a little help and support. Volunteer for a charity, collect items (food and personal hygiene items) for a homeless or animal shelter or gifts for those stuck in hospital. This can also be done on a smaller scale where you can assist a elderly or sick neighbour or friend.
- Watch the sunset and give thanks to the sun for its light and warmth.
- Light a fire (bonfire, firepit or fireplace) or candles to celebrate and honour the light of the sun during this time.
- Declutter and swap, donate or sell that which you no longer need.
- Leave a candle in a safe place to burn all day in honour of the sun.
- Craft some items which resonate with the season for you.
- Revamp your shrine or altar with the colours of the summer solstice (Green, Red, Gold and Copper) and adorn it with candles, bells, ribbons and produce of the season (herbs, fruits, flowers and vegetables).
So work your magick this Solstice, honour and celebrate the sun and ask for what you want to be vitalised and strengthened in your life.
(c) T. Georgitsis 2021, Updated 2023