Midsummer · LEE-tha
Litha
The summer solstice: the longest day. A festival of fullness, strength and enjoying what's ripe, while knowing the light will now begin to shorten.
History
Midsummer bonfires and celebrations are recorded across Europe. 'Litha' is borrowed from an Old English month name recorded by Bede; its use as a sabbat name is modern.
Traditional themes
Common correspondences
Correspondence tables are modern conventions collected from folklore and ceremonial magic. Traditions vary, and none of this is required.
- Colours:
- Gold, deep green, sunflower yellow
- In nature:
- Full leaf, long dusk, wild herbs
- Foods:
- Summer fruit, salads, herb-scented water
- Themes:
- Peak light, gratitude, generosity
Ways to celebrate
- Watch the sunset, or simply sit in sunlight for a few minutes.
- Pick a few leaves of a common herb and let them dry on a windowsill.
- Name three things that are going well right now.
A simple beginner practice
Sit outside at the warmest part of the day. Close your eyes and feel the warmth on your skin for five slow breaths. Wicca is often as simple as noticing.
Compare midsummer folk customs across Europe and note how selectively modern Wicca draws from them.
Read the full Litha lessonRonald Hutton, The Stations of the Sun (Oxford University Press, 1996)
A history of the ritual year in Britain, based on documented custom rather than folklore retellings.
Where reliable evidence is limited, we say so rather than filling the gap.