The Summer Solstice, the longest day, is a time of triumph for the
light. This holiday represents the Sun King in all his glory. 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 Oak King is the growing youth while
the Holly King is the mature man. Healings and love magick are
especially suitable at this time. Midsummer Night's Eve is supposed to
be a good time to commune with field and forest spirits and faeries.
Other Names:
Summer Solstice, Midsummer, Alban Hefine, Sun Blessing, Gathering Day,
Feill-Sheathain, Whit Sunday, Whitsuntide, Vestalia, Thing-Tide, St.
John's Day
Meaning:
Honoring of Sun/God at his power, Saying farewell to the waxing year,
Preparation for harvest, Honoring the pregnant Goddess, Beginning of
waning year
Lore: Litha
is practically the classic time to perform magick of all kinds.
Healings, love magick, and protections, are especially suitable. Herbs
can be dried over the ritual fire if you're celebrating outdoors. Leap
the fire for purification and renewed energy.
Deities: Father Gods, Mother Goddesses, Pregnant Deities, Sun Gods
Activities: Jumping Balefire, Gathering Herbs, Clan Gatherings, Well Dressing
Taboos: Giving away fire, Sleeping away from home, Neglecting animals
Associations
Colors: Blue, Green, Gold, Tan
Symbols: Fire, The Sun, Blades, Mistletoe, Oak Trees, Balefire, Sun Wheels, Faeries
Animals: Robin/Wren, Summer Birds, Horses, Cattle
Stones: Emerald, Jade, Tiger's Eye, Lapis Lazuli, Diamond
Plants: Oak, Mistletoe, Frankincense, Lemon, Sandalwood, Heliotrope, Copal, Saffron, Galangal, Laurel, Ylang-Ylang
Food: Fresh fruits are standard fare for Litha, such as summer squash, lemons, and oranges.
Ritual Oils: Heliotrope, Cinnamon, Sandalwood, Lavender, Orange, All Mint Oils, Lemon, Saffron
Attunement Teas: (Individually or Blended) Anise, Carrot drinks, Lemon, Nettle, Orange
Goddesses:
All Pregnant Goddesses, All Young Mother Goddesses, and Most War
Goddesses, such as Aine (Irish), Artemis (Greek), Athena (Greek), Banba
(Irish), Dana (Irish), Eos (Greek), Eriu (Irish), Freya (Norse),
Hathor-Tiamet (Egyptian), Isis (Egyptian), Juno (Roman), Kali (Indian),
Mabd/Maeve (Irish), Nut (Egyptian), Sekhment (Egyptian), Vesta (Roman)
Gods: All Sun
Gods, Most War Gods, and Most Thunder Gods, such as Apollo
(Greco-Roman), Balder (Norse), Dagda (Irish), Helios (Greek), Hyperion
(Greek), Legba (Voodun), Lugh (Irish), Oak/Holly King (Anglo-Celtic),
Prometheus (Greek), Ra (Egyptian), Sol (Greco-Roman), Thor (Norse), Zeus
(Greek)
SOURCES: Some info was taken from an unknown source; however, most info was found at The Wiccan Garden, as taken from The Sabbats: A New Approach to Living the Old Ways by Edain McCoy and Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham.