Litha, Summer Solstice, Gathering Day, Feast of Epona, Alban Hefin (Druid, ‘Light of the Shore’), Midsumarsblot (Norse), Johnmas

Roughly June 20-23.

Midsummer celebrates the summer solstice. It is the longest day of the year, when Earth is at its closest to the sun.

It marks the end of the waxing year and beginning of the waning year, when the sun’s power begins to fade and the days grow shorter. It is opposite to Yule, or Midwinter, which marks the shortest day of the year.

At Midsummer, the powers of nature reach their highest point. The days are warmer and the earth is bountiful.

In ancient times, Litha/Midsummer marked the middle of summer, with the beginning of summer at Beltane (April 30-May 1) and the end of summer at Lammas (August 1). Astronomically, Litha marks the first day of summer, reflected on the North American calendar.

The myth of Litha celebrates the triumph of light over darkness. In Wicca, it is thought the Sun God is at his highest point. Traditionally, it is thought this is the time when the Oak King is bested by the Holly King. The Oak King is thought to rule from Midwinter (Yule) to Midsummer (Litha), a period of fertility, expansion and growth. The Oak King is ‘slain’ by the Holly King at Litha (to rule from Midsummer to Midwinter) – a period of harvest, withdrawal and wisdom.

The date roughly corresponds to the Christian Feast of St. John (Johnmas) on June 24. The Oak King and Holly King can be compared to John the Baptist and Jesus, with Jesus’ birth celebrated at the winter solstice (Yule) and John’s celebrated at the summer solstice (Litha).

This time is also associated with the festival of Vestalia, which celebrated the Roman goddess of virginity, and the Feast of Epona, the Roman goddess of the horse and fertility.

Midsummer is a great time to connect with nature and the outdoors. It is associated with joy and feasting. Flowers, oak trees and sun wheels are common symbols.

Traditionally on Midsummer Eve, it was said elves, sprites and fairies were found in great numbers, making this a great time to commune with them.

3 Types of Summer Magic to Experiment With

Opening Up: In the heat of summer, we can open into the peak of our power. Rituals can include all forms of fire and candle magic to bless yourself and your home with abundance and protection. Commune with local land spirits and leave them offerings or invite in abundance. Awaken to new forms of ancient wisdom. Celebrate what you have learned so far in life. Dance, laugh, make a vow of service to your community. Practice divination to help you open up to new possibilities about who you are and your life path.

Use the smudge spray to help remove negative or stagnant energy from your space.

Taking Risks: We take risks and face our fears so that we can grow as magical beings. Rituals for this can include shadow work (long days cast longer shadows), fear-breaking charms, doing that thing you’ve been putting off, choosing to be seen and heard by others, finally trying out a type of magic you’ve hesitated to do before, cord-cutting from relationships and ways of thinking, even self-blessings — because it is a radical act to love all of your being.

Practice this by setting clear intentions and manifest those desires using our Zen Goddess Kit.

Being Love(d): We choose love in all of its forms because we deserve to love and be loved in return. Rituals include enchantments of love, self-love, a romantic friendship, deeply erotic love, sensual love, family love, community love, and more. Tell the ones you love nine times in one day. Use the power of fire to transform any energy that comes your way into love. Have sex and make love (preferably outdoors). Work exclusively with God/dess/es of love for a full cycle of the Moon. Invite in new possibilities for love and self-love. Perform a ritual skyclad as a sign that you are free and loved fiercely.

Bring in love by performing your own Love Spell using our Self Love Kit.

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