Litha is almost upon us!

The Summer Solstice, also known as midsummer, Alban Heruin, and the Day of Gatheriing among other names, is celebrated with fire festivals over the days surrounding the actual solstice, which this year falls on June 21st. Some festivals may just be a day, others may be four, depending on where in the world you are.

It's the longest day of the year, the day when the Sun God, the great Warrior, is at his most powerful, and the Holly King is victorious against the Oak King. Meanwhile his Wife, the GOddess, having wed and consummated her marriage to the Warrior on Beltane, is

In the past, people would pick mid-summer plants for their miraculous healing powers on this day and the night before. Bonfires were lit to protect against evil spirits which people believed to roam freely when the sun was turning southwards again. The Vikings would healing water wells and making a large bonfire to ward away evil spirits. Midsummer Night has long been considered the night that Faeries roam the earth, frolic around the fires, and choose human playmates and sometimes even lovers.

On Litha we hold fairs, bazaars, concerts and large festivals with lots of dancing and singing, to celebrate the coming harvests. We have large ritual honouring the Horned God.

For more on Midsummer practices, visit these links:

http://www.cauldronliving.com/cgi-bi...ews&id=378

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midsummer




What are you guys doing for Litha?

I will be celebrating my initiation as a Novice Priestess in the Correllian Tradition, which will happen on Saturday June 13th! The we hold ritual on Litha will be the first ritual that I will lead fully with my small group.
[dancing-banana]

Since I am usually by myself I will do ritual and prayers like I did last year in my back yard me and the cats. I enjoyed but it sure was hot! and the junebugs kept trying to commit sucide in my candles (Yuck!) the rest of the night I sat quietly with my favorite glass of wine and listen to sounds, and watch the cats play.[smile]

I'm wishing everyone a blessed Litha/Summer Solstice! I really love the Sun and heat, and am excited that my favorite season is finally here!

Don't care for the heat..but love the Sabbat! Happy Litha Everyone![lol][bounce][bounce][bounce][nonsense][dancing-banana]

Happy Midsummer, all!! [dancing-banana][dancing-banana][dancing-banana]

(And Happy Yule to our Brothers and Sisters in the Southern hemisphere![nonsense][nonsense][nonsense])