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meridian_rosePosting early because I'm clearly unreliable when it comes to precise deadlines :P
Magickal Graphics
Litha is also known as th Summer Solstice, Midsummer, Midsummer Night, Midsummer Night's Eve, Gathering Day, Sun Blessing, Gathering Day, Feill-Sheathain, St. John's Day
Usually around June 21 the Summer Solstice marks the time when the sun is at the highest point before beginning its slide into darkness. This is my least favourite of the eight sabbats, since it marks a 'going away' of the light. On the other hand, some of the best weather of the year can be expected now – English weather peculiarities aside :P It is considered a 'lesser' sabbat, being primarily of astronomical significance.
In England, June 21st is, according to some traditions, "The Day of Cerridwen and Her Cauldron" – more on Cerridwen in another post. In Ireland, this day is dedicated to the faery goddess Aine of Knockaine while in Northern Europe - June 21st is "The Day of the Green Man".
Wicca tradition in particular sees this as the Holly and Oak king battling for supremacy, with the Holly King being victorious – at Yule they will battle once more and the Oak King will win. Mother Goddesses, the pregnant Goddess – symbol of the forthcoming harvests – and goddesses of love and beauty are also honoured. Sun gods and sun goddesses are celebrated at this time, as well as Father Gods. It was also a time of faeries :D
This is a time of great power, the peak of fertility rites and growth and magic, purification rites, divination, and rites for inspiration are especially powerful. It is said to be a good time to re-dedicate yourself to your chosen path and to gather herbs. It is a good time for handfastings and weddings.
Litha celebrations might involve morris dancing, singing, storytelling, pageantry and feasting, and a bonfire which could provide luck to those brave enough to jump over the flames. Foods and drinks especially suitable for celebrations include lemons, oranges peppers, , strawberries, summer squashes, tomatoes, honey, fresh vegetables, summer fruits, summer squash, pumpernickel bread, ale, mead, fruit juice.
Traditional colours of Litha: gold, yellow, red, blue, green, orange, white, tan.
Other correspondences:
The sun; seashells; blades; daisy chains; stone circles feathers, fire, candles, wands, all green gemstones, especially emerald and jade amber, tiger's eye, frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood, chamomile, sunflowers cinquefoil, fennel, lavender, St John's Wort mugwort, holly thyme, oak, roses, vervain ( verbena), , rosemary, fern, wisteria, mistletoe, daisy, pine, elder, saffron, foxglove, buttercups, bee, butterfly, horses and cattle, faeries, dragons
The Southern Hemisphere
On the Wheel of the Year Litha lies directly across from Yule, the shortest day of the calendar year, when days begin to lengthen. Yule is probably my favourite holiday for this reason among others. Happy Yule to all those in the Southern Hemisphere :D
Magickal Graphics
Litha is also known as th Summer Solstice, Midsummer, Midsummer Night, Midsummer Night's Eve, Gathering Day, Sun Blessing, Gathering Day, Feill-Sheathain, St. John's Day
Usually around June 21 the Summer Solstice marks the time when the sun is at the highest point before beginning its slide into darkness. This is my least favourite of the eight sabbats, since it marks a 'going away' of the light. On the other hand, some of the best weather of the year can be expected now – English weather peculiarities aside :P It is considered a 'lesser' sabbat, being primarily of astronomical significance.
In England, June 21st is, according to some traditions, "The Day of Cerridwen and Her Cauldron" – more on Cerridwen in another post. In Ireland, this day is dedicated to the faery goddess Aine of Knockaine while in Northern Europe - June 21st is "The Day of the Green Man".
Wicca tradition in particular sees this as the Holly and Oak king battling for supremacy, with the Holly King being victorious – at Yule they will battle once more and the Oak King will win. Mother Goddesses, the pregnant Goddess – symbol of the forthcoming harvests – and goddesses of love and beauty are also honoured. Sun gods and sun goddesses are celebrated at this time, as well as Father Gods. It was also a time of faeries :D
This is a time of great power, the peak of fertility rites and growth and magic, purification rites, divination, and rites for inspiration are especially powerful. It is said to be a good time to re-dedicate yourself to your chosen path and to gather herbs. It is a good time for handfastings and weddings.
Litha celebrations might involve morris dancing, singing, storytelling, pageantry and feasting, and a bonfire which could provide luck to those brave enough to jump over the flames. Foods and drinks especially suitable for celebrations include lemons, oranges peppers, , strawberries, summer squashes, tomatoes, honey, fresh vegetables, summer fruits, summer squash, pumpernickel bread, ale, mead, fruit juice.
Traditional colours of Litha: gold, yellow, red, blue, green, orange, white, tan.
Other correspondences:
The sun; seashells; blades; daisy chains; stone circles feathers, fire, candles, wands, all green gemstones, especially emerald and jade amber, tiger's eye, frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood, chamomile, sunflowers cinquefoil, fennel, lavender, St John's Wort mugwort, holly thyme, oak, roses, vervain ( verbena), , rosemary, fern, wisteria, mistletoe, daisy, pine, elder, saffron, foxglove, buttercups, bee, butterfly, horses and cattle, faeries, dragons
The Southern Hemisphere
On the Wheel of the Year Litha lies directly across from Yule, the shortest day of the calendar year, when days begin to lengthen. Yule is probably my favourite holiday for this reason among others. Happy Yule to all those in the Southern Hemisphere :D
