"Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you."- Maori Proverb

Hello, Wild Ones!

Welcome back to The Wild and Untamed Way, where we unravel the mystical threads of shamanic witchcraft, earth medicine, and living harmoniously within the wheel of the year. Today, let's dive into the world of Litha, the Summer Solstice, a time brimming with abundance, vitality, and transformation.

What is Litha?

Litha, also known as the Summer Solstice, represents the peak of summer, offering the longest day and the shortest night. As the sun stands at its zenith, we are bathed in its powerful, life-giving energy. It's a moment where light triumphs over darkness, symbolising a period of immense growth, vibrant energy, and the sheer fullness of life. It's like Mother Earth herself is beaming, radiating the splendour of both her external bounty and our internal light.

Historical Roots and Spiritual Significance

The roots of Litha are deeply planted in ancient pagan traditions, where diverse cultures celebrated the sun, gods, and goddesses. The Celts kindled bonfires, seeking to harness and encourage the sun's warmth. In North mythology, this sacred time honoured Baldr, the God of light and beauty. Over centuries, these traditions have intertwined, forming the vibrant tapestry of modern Litha celebrations.

Spiritually, Litha is a time to honour not just the sun's external radiance but also the light within ourselves. It’s a potent reminder to shine brilliantly, to reflect on our journeys, and to embrace the abundance that envelops us.

Themes, Symbols, and Correspondences of Litha

At its heart, Litha is a celebration of abundance. It’s a period of flourishing crops, blooming flowers, and nature bustling with life. Take a moment, dear wild ones, to reflect on your own life's abundance and express gratitude for the blessings received.

Another profound theme is transformation. As the sun begins its descent, Litha marks a turning point. Embrace this cycle, let go of the old, and welcome the new. Fire, a prominent symbol during Litha, represents this transformative energy, purification, and the spark of life. Lighting bonfires or even candles can symbolize burning away what no longer serves us and igniting our passionate intentions.

We also honour balance—between fire and water, light and dark, activity and rest. This duality urges us to seek harmony in our lives.
Animals like bees, butterflies, and dragonflies, embodying community, transformation, and the fleeting beauty of life, add another layer to our Litha celebrations. And let's not forget the plants and flowers! Herbs like St. John’s Wort, lavender, and chamomile, and the mighty oak tree, symbolize strength, endurance, healing, and protection.

Ways to Celebrate Litha

Feasting is a joyous part of Litha, celebrating with seasonal fruits, vegetables, and foods that honour the sun’s energy, like honey, lemons, and berries. Gather around a bonfire or simply light candles in fiery colours—gold, yellow, orange, red—to honour the sun's power.

Witnessing the sunrise or sunset is a soul-stirring way to connect with the sun’s energy. Rise early, breathe in the dawn's freshness, meditate on its warmth, and set your intentions for the coming season. Or, watch the sunset, reflecting on the day’s abundance and releasing any energy that no longer serves you.

Incorporate water rituals for purification and healing. Visit a natural body of water, create a ritual bath, or simply meditate by the water, absorbing its calming energy. Create sun water by leaving a jar of water under the sun, using it to cleanse your space or yourself.

Offer flowers, herbs, and food to Earth and nature spirits, expressing gratitude for abundance. Building a Litha altar with sun symbols, summer herbs, and foods, can be a sacred and beautiful way to honour the season.
Engage in crafty activities: make a flower crown with summer blossoms, create a sun wheel, or arrange a nature mandala. These acts of creation connect us deeply with the Earth's rhythms.

Reflect and Set Intentions

Now is a powerful time for reflection and intention-setting. Look back on the first half of the year—express gratitude for the blessings and lessons. Set new goals, visualizing them being illuminated and empowered by the sun’s rays.

Work with your solar plexus chakra, using yellow crystals like citrine or tiger's eye, to boost your personal power and self-confidence. Honour sun deities like Ra or Apollo, or leave offerings for the fae and tree spirits, expressing gratitude for their gifts.

Perform a card reading, using oracle or tarot decks, to gain insight into the months ahead. Scry with reflective surfaces to receive wisdom and guidance.

Embrace the Magick

Litha is a time to embrace the magickal energy of the sun at its peak. Celebrate with your tribe or on your own, dancing to the rhythms of nature, creating, and connecting. Let the warmth and light of the sun fill you with strength, vitality, and inspiration.

Remember, your journey is your own, unique and wondrous. Embrace it with authenticity, vulnerability, and a heart full of gratitude. Let us together, kindred spirits, weave the magick of Litha into our lives, celebrating the beauty and abundance around us.

Thank you for joining me on this soulful journey. Until then, keep shining your incredible light.

Stay cool!

Emma

To lean more about Litha and how you can celebrate, check out my latest YouTube video and don’t forget to like and subscribe if you got value. Stay tuned for our next video on summer solstice stone medicine.