6/16/2007 - Litha

Well Litha will soon be here, as of June 21, though today it is regaurded as primairly a Wiccan, or Neo-Pagan holiday, Summer Solstice celbrations have been practiced world wide in many cultures. The celebration of Litha commonly held today is beleived to stem from Saxon Roots.

Litha (taken from Saxon tradition, the opposite of Yule) is celebrated on the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year! It is also known as Midsummer Nights Eve, Alban Heruin (Druidic). On this Sabbat light and life are at their most abundant. Many Ancient monuments are aligned with the Sun at this point in the Wheel of the Year, the most famous being Stonehenge in England, though there are many more all over the world.

 At mid-summer the Sun God has reached the moment of his greatest strength. Seated on his greenwood throne he is lord of the forests and his face can be seen in church architecture peering from countless foliate masks. In many Wiccan celebrations this is when the Oak King (who represents the waxing year) is triumphed over by the Holly King (who represents the waning year). The two are one, the Holly King is the growing youth while the Oak King is the mature man. In other traditions tis not until Samhain that the Holly King triumphs, (as the year moves into the dark half), he may also be seen as the Stag King, in his prime with full antlers, not yet ready for his symbolic sacrifice at Harvest Time.

  This Sabbat also celebrates the Goddess in some traditions. She can be seen now as heavy with child, as nature is heavy with the bounty of the coming harvest, though in some Traditions although she is already pregnant (with the God) her 'time' is not yet ready, as she will not give birth to the God until Yule.  

   This is considered to be a time when energies abound, and is a good time for magic and purification rites. Midsummer Night's Eve is also special for adherents of the Faerie faith. The alternative fixed calendar date of June 25 (Old Litha) is sometimes employed by Covens. The Christian religion converted this day of Jack-in-the-Green to the Feast of St. John the Baptist, often portraying him in rustic attire sometimes with horns and cloven feet (like the Greek God Pan and similar in aspect to the Celtic Cerunnos). 

Traditional Foods:
Garden fresh fruits and vegetables are made into a variety of dishes and eaten by Pagan's who choose to celebrate this day.

Herbs and Flowers:
Mugwort, Vervain, Chamomile, Rose, Honeysuckle, Lily, Oak, Lavender, Ivy, Yarrow, Fern, Elder, Wild Thyme, Daisy, Carnation.

Incense:
Lemon, Myrrh, Pine, Rose, Wisteria.

Woods Burned:
Oak

Sacred Gemstone:
Emerald

Special Activities:
An Ideal time to reaffirm your vows to the Lord and Lady or your dedication to following the old traditions.