Litha, the Rituals of Midsommer
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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.
Books About The Summer Solstice
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Midsummer: Magical Celebrations of the Summer Solstice
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Summer Solstice, The
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The Summer Solstice: Celebrating the Journey of the Sun from May Day to Harvest
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Celebrate the Solstice: Honoring the Earth's Seasonal Rhythms through Festival and Ceremony
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Summer Solstice Links and Info
- Summer : Ancient Summer Solstice Celebrations
Druids, the priestly/professional/diplomatic corps in Celtic countries, celebrated Alban Heruin ("Light of the Shore"). It was midway between the spring Equinox (Alban Eiler; "Light of the Earth") and the fall Equinox (Alban Elfed; "Light of the Wate - A Summer Solstice Ritual by Yasmine Galenorn
- Summer Solstice Group Ritual
- Celebrating the Summer Solstice
Discusses the summer solstice and rituals and celebrations associated with it, including Midsummer and the Fremont Solstice Parade. - Summer solstice celebrations
Solstice celebrations of Christianity, Judaism, Neopaganism, etc. - Summer Solstice -- from Eric Weisstein's World of Astronomy
Litha Recipes
- Summer Solstice & Cherry Soup recipe
It really is a dessert and is really a great way to celebrate mid-summer. - Summer Solstice Dinner
Adapted from Bon Appétit, June 2002 - CUCUMBER SOUP WITH LEMONGRASS AND SPINACH
Recipes for the Pagan Holydays - Litha
Several recipes appropriate for the Litha turn in the Wheel of the Year.
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.
Summer Solstice at Chaco Canyon
Celebrate the Solstice
The Summer Solstice
- A 'Holiday House' to support a good cause - NorthJersey.com
A 'Holiday House' to support a good cause NorthJersey.com ... designers will create tabletop displays celebrating holidays and other festive occasions, such as Ground Hog's Day, Christmas and the Summer Solstice. ... - 2 days ago
- U2 To Do Festivals Again! Glastonbury Confirmed & Bonnarumored - Interference.com
Interference.com U2 To Do Festivals Again! Glastonbury Confirmed & Bonnarumored Interference.com It's a genuinely magical experience; there really is something special in the air there—just a few days after the summer solstice and just a few miles down ... - 17 hours ago
- Programme of events makes the most of the stars - Journal Live
Programme of events makes the most of the stars Journal Live ... images of the birthplace of Sir Isaac Newton with an apple tree in the foreground and Stonehenge is depicted at sunrise during the Summer Solstice. ... and more » - 5 hours ago
- Dollar Tree turns up in the 256 part of town - StarNewsOnline.com
StarNewsOnline.com Dollar Tree turns up in the 256 part of town StarNewsOnline.com ... last summer I hit the jackpot at Dollar Tree after going in and out of stores for hours looking for sun-themed decorations for a summer solstice bash. ... - 3 days ago
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