Litha

The Longest Day of Light

When the wheel turns to Litha — the Summer Solstice — the Sun stands proud at its zenith, bathing the earth in golden brilliance. It is the day when light triumphs, when Earth is lush, fruitful, and alive with warmth. Yet even in this brilliance, the shadows begin their slow return. Litha teaches balance — to revel in life’s abundance while honoring the quiet truth that all cycles turn once more toward rest.

🌞 Origins and Symbolism

The word Litha comes from old Anglo-Saxon roots, meaning gentle or navigable, a time when the seas calmed and the earth offered its richest gifts. To our ancestors, this was the festival of the Sun God at his peak — strong, golden, and watchful over the ripening fields — and the Earth Goddess in full bloom, heavy with life and promise.

Bonfires once blazed on hilltops, echoing the radiant Sun above. Herbs were gathered at sunrise, their potency strongest on this sacred day. Circles danced, spells were sung, and the fire’s reflection was seen as the Sun’s earthly mirror.

Litha is the turning point of light — the highest note of the year’s song before the gradual descent into the quieter half of the wheel.

🔮 Rituals for Modern Witches

1. The Sunfire Meditation At sunrise, stand facing east. Close your eyes and feel the first rays touch your skin. Breathe deeply, imagining that light filling every cell of your being — cleansing, strengthening, and awakening your inner fire.

“Light of the Sun, eternal flame, Burn within, in joy’s bright name.”

2. The Herb Blessing Gather herbs such as rosemary, lavender, mugwort, or St. John’s Wort. Hold them over a candle flame or bonfire smoke, blessing them with gratitude for the Earth’s medicine. Store these herbs to use in spells and teas throughout the coming seasons.

3. Water and Flame Offering Pour spring water into a bowl and float flowers or petals upon it beside a candle or fire. This union of water and flame symbolizes balance — emotion and will, heart and spirit, Moon and Sun.

🌿 Litha Altar Inspirations

Adorn your altar with symbols of the Sun and Earth in their union of abundance. Colors of gold, orange, yellow, and green bring the Solstice warmth to your sacred space.

Suggested items:

• Sunflowers, chamomile, or golden marigolds

• Candles of gold or yellow

• Crystals: citrine, tiger’s eye, amber, or clear quartz

• A small dish of water and flowers for balance

• Honey, fruit, or bread as offerings of gratitude

Let your altar glow with vitality — a miniature sun radiating blessings outward.

🌸 Sacred Herbs and Correspondences

Herb	Magical Use
St. John’s Wort	Protection, courage, and joy
Rosemary	Cleansing, clarity, and renewal
Lavender	Calm, healing, spiritual purity
Mugwort	Intuition, dreams, midsummer visions
Chamomile	Prosperity, peace, solar blessings
Mint	Energy, vitality, renewal of spirit

Burn them as incense, weave them into crowns, or steep them in tea as part of your Solstice ritual.

🌕 Closing Blessing

As the sun sinks on the longest day, step outside and feel the warm air hum with life. Whisper into the twilight:

“Sun of midsummer, burn bright and kind, Bless this heart, this home, this mind. Though shadows lengthen, light remains, In joy and love, my spirit reigns.”

Let the season’s energy fill you with vitality and peace. Litha is both a celebration and a promise — that even as the light begins to wane, its warmth lives within us.

Blessed Be