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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.

Witchy Women Magic Shoppe is a woman-owned, ethical, sustainable and philanthropic metaphysical supply shoppe. Our mission is to support healing, growth and restoration of people and the planet.

All our handmade products are infused with frequency 528Hz – the frequency of miracles and love – thought to resonate at the core of everything. It connects the heart and spirit with Divine Harmony.

This sound has been used since ancient civilizations to manifest miracles, bring blessings, and harness a healing property. It is now available to you in every candle, oil, potion, herbal blend, spray, soap or salt.

Smudging is a way to energetically cleanse a space and invite positive energy. When smudging a space (or yourself), you burn plant material. The smoke fills and purifies the environment.

You can use many different plans for smudging. Some of the most common are white sage, mugwort (also known as black sage), cedar, sweet grass (often braided) and palo santo (holy wood).

White sage is the most popular because it is associated with purity and has a pleasant smell. You can find it many places with various types of flowers wrapped around it as well.

If you’re not a fan of smoke, but still want to cleanse your space, there are even special blends of smudge spray.

Where to begin

Step one is to gather your smudge herbs and a fire-safe dish or bowl for ashes. (We use and recommend Abalone shells for their correspondence and versatility. Native Americans also used those to add the water element to the ceremony.) Take your time with this process. In many cultures, it is sacred ceremony and should be treated as such.

If you have a candle nearby, it’s helpful to set the mood, but also to relight the smudge stick. Some people also like to use a feather to spread the smoke.

Allow yourself enough time for the ritual so you don’t feel rushed. If possible, meditate for at least five minutes before lighting the smudge.

Remember that intention is key in smudge ceremony. Take some time to think about what you want for your home and family, or whichever space you are clearing.

When you clear a space with smudge, you are creating a vacuum – an open space for something new. You want to be clear that you are welcoming positive intentions.

Smudging

If the weather cooperates, open your doors and windows first.

Start at your front door and light your smudge stick. Begin to move around the home clockwise. Go around the entire perimeter of the home and into each room, always in a clockwise direction. Use the feather to spread the smoke as you move slowly and meditatively.

Allow the smoke to drift into even out of the way spaces, like closets, basements and corners. If there are stairs, just go up or down when you encounter them. Keep moving clockwise until you meet the stairs again. Then continue to go down or up the stairs and resume the main floor.

This is called circumambulation – a practice centuries’ old to make a space more sacred.

How to Wrap It Up

When you arrive back at the front door, visualize your entire home filled with bright, white light. Then speak your intention one last time.

Smudging is amazing to clear a space energetically. They can be done annually or monthly, or more often. It’s especially powerful to perform a space clearing when you first move into a home.

Do you smudge? What’s your favorite herb? Or do you prefer the sprays?

If you haven’t checked out the Witchy Women Magic Shoppe yet, what are you waiting for? Whether you are just beginning your journey into witchery or are already a seasoned pro, we’re sure you’ll love what we have to offer.

In addition, you can also work with Becky directly for spell candles and tarot readings.