Litha, or Midsummer's Day, falls on the summer solstice and is known as one of the 'quarter days', or one of those days (equinoxes and solstices) that divides the year evenly into quarters. This is the longest day of the year (and the shortest night), therefore it is typically a daytime sun festival. The summer solstice occurs when the sun reaches the Tropic of Cancer, astrologers know this as the date on which the sun enters the sign of Cancer. The date varies from year to year, falling sometime between June 20 through 23.
Litha (opposite of Yule) was celebrated by pagan peasants (who had no access to ephmeris or other timekeeper) and Christians alike on June 24, calling it St. John's Day. The day is called 'Midsummer's Day' for the very fact that it is the day midway through the summer (which began May 1, and ends on Lughnassahd, August 1). Modern calendars erroneously mark the summer solstice as the beginning of summer, which it clearly is not, since thereafter the sun begins to wane. It should also be noted that the name 'Litha' is a rather modern label.
St. John, though a Christian figure, was often considered a rather pagan sort. He was called 'The Oak King', and was often depticted as a horned figure, or even with the lower portion of his body as a satyr. It could be argued that such depictions refer to the shadowy pagan diety most of us refer to as the Horned One, God of the Greenwood.
It was the custom in England, on St John's Eve, to light large bonfires after sundown, providing light for the revelers and warding off evil spirits. As at Beltane, leaping the fire was a common practice. There would be feasting and partying, dancing, games, bartering and all forms of celebration. This time was also sacred to the faerie folk. Fairies, elves and sprites are purported to be most easily seen at Midsummer, dancing in fairy rings.
In Our Lady of the Prairie Coven, we see this Sabbat as a time when the God is at the peak of his power. The Sun at zenith. Virile, fertile and strong. He guides us in our own personal growth, just as he guides the crops and creatures of Earth. Often we gather on this holiday to celebrations and sacred play. There are many festivals around this time of year, and we sometimes attend them together to strengthen the bonds of our community. The Goddess is becoming Mother at this time, the seed that was planted earlier in her womb is growing just as the earth blossoms with abundance. This is a time to spend outside, in whatever activity brings you closer to the Goddess and God. Wear the colors of the sun: crimson, orange, gold, yellow or white. Decorate your Alter or cauldron with summer flowers. Build a fire in the evening and dance around it, try some ethnic drumming music in the background! Work magic for your own personal growth, or projects you are working on. Try a fire divination, stare into the coals of your bonfire as it settles, or look for forms in the leaping flames.
Beltane
Litha
Lughnassad
Samhain
Yule
Imbolc
Excerpts from OLP's Book of ShadowsContact Our Lady of the Prairie by EMAIL!
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Last modified March 16, 2002