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Litha, the Rituals of Midsommer

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By relache



Some History of the Summer Solstice

The Summer Solstice was observed and celebrated by a wide-range of communities and culture around the world. Some of the names given to this day include Litha, Midsommer and Midsummer's Eve. One this day, the Northern Hemisphere experiences the most hours of daylight in one day, the opposite of the Winter Solstice, when the shortest hours of daylight in a day occur. Although in modern parlance, this date is considered the start of the summer season, on a Pagan/Wiccan calendar, summer spans three holidays, from Beltane to Lammas, hence this spot marks the "midsummer" point.

Harvesting of herbs and plants for medicinal use was often one of the activities that happened on this day, as it was believed the vitality of the plants and their energies would be at their most potent. This is also considered an auspicious day for weddings. June is still a very popular month for weddings. In J.R.R. Tolkein's last book of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Return of the King, Aragorn and Arwen wed on the summer solstice.

This is one of the nights of the year that Pagans and Wiccans consider the veil between the regular and spirit world to be thinner than usual, making contact with the ancients and faeries easier. Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream is set on this night, and features two pair of star-crossed lovers. One set are humans, and the others are Oberon and Titania, the king and queen of the Faeries.




Marking The Longest Day of the Year

Midsummer Bonfire - Keep the solar energy going late into the night with a festive bonfire.

Solstice Picnic - Feast with friends and family on the best that your garden and farmer's market can offer!

Garden Tour - Visit a local arboretum or flower farm and take some time to enjoy the colorful bounty of the season.

Beach or Shore Clean-up - Get a group together and spend some time just picking up trash at your favorite beach, lake shore or pond.


The Summer Solstice

  • My Toronto: Charlest Pachter - National Post

    My Toronto: Charlest Pachter National Post I became notorious for my summer solstice parties. I'd invite 300 people in a laneway near Grange Park.... The neighbours all joined in and it became a ... - 67 minutes ago

  • Our view: Up with the sun? It can be pretty late - La Crosse Tribune

    Our view: Up with the sun? It can be pretty late La Crosse Tribune That's an astronomical inevitability from the summer solstice till the winter solstice. Sure, we've tried to trick ourselves into thinking the days are ... and more » - 2 weeks ago

  • Earth measurement given some stick - ABC Regional Online

    Earth measurement given some stick ABC Regional Online The story went that on just one day of the year, the summer solstice, the light of the Sun would reflect off the water in the bottom of a well. ... - 5 days ago

  • Burning Man Obama Is A Flaming Shame - TheRealityCheck.Org

    TheRealityCheck.Org Burning Man Obama Is A Flaming Shame TheRealityCheck.Org It represents the Summer Solstice and the renewable energy of the emperor himself. However, the main impression of the work is one of unintended ... and more » - 2 days ago

Wishing You A Bountiful Summer Solstice!

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