Litha: Summer Solstice Sabbat of Sun's Peak Power

What Is Litha? The Summer Solstice Sabbat

Litha (pronounced "LEE-thah" or "LIH-thah") is the Summer Solstice sabbat, celebrated on the longest day of the year around June 20-21 in the Northern Hemisphere. It marks the peak of the sun's power, the height of summer, and the moment when light reaches its maximum before beginning its slow decline toward winter.

Also known as Midsummer, the Summer Solstice, or St. John's Day, Litha celebrates the Sun God at his zenith, honors the abundance of summer, and acknowledges the bittersweet truth that from this point forward, days will grow shorter. It's a time of fire, power, abundance, and celebrating life at its fullest.

This comprehensive guide will teach you the history, meaning, and traditions of Litha, plus powerful rituals to celebrate this radiant sabbat of solar power and summer's peak.

When Is Litha Celebrated?

Northern Hemisphere: June 20-21 (exact date varies yearly based on astronomical solstice)

Southern Hemisphere: December 20-21 (opposite season)

Exact Timing: The precise moment when the Sun reaches its northernmost point, creating the longest day and shortest night

Celebration Window: Many celebrate from June 19-24, with Midsummer Eve (June 20th) being especially magical

The Meaning of Litha

Name Origins:

• Litha: Anglo-Saxon name for June/July, adopted by modern pagans
• Summer Solstice: "Solstice" means "sun stands still"
• Midsummer: Middle of summer (though astronomically it's summer's beginning)
• St. John's Day: Christian feast day (June 24th) that absorbed pagan traditions

Themes: Solar power, abundance, peak energy, strength, vitality, celebration, gratitude, bittersweet awareness of decline, protection, faerie magic

The Sun God at His Zenith

Litha celebrates the Sun God (Oak King, Apollo, Ra, Lugh) at the peak of his power:

The Sun God: Strong, radiant, powerful, at his absolute zenith

The Goddess: Pregnant with the harvest to come, abundant and full

The Paradox: This is the moment of greatest light, yet from here, darkness begins to return. The Oak King (summer) will soon battle the Holly King (winter) and lose.

The Lesson: All things peak and then decline. Enjoy the height while it lasts, knowing change is inevitable.

Litha Symbolism & Correspondences

Colors: Gold, yellow, orange, red, green, white

Symbols: Sun wheels, bonfires, oak leaves, sunflowers, solar discs, honey, mead, summer fruits

Flowers: Sunflowers, St. John's wort, chamomile, lavender, roses, honeysuckle, elder

Herbs: St. John's wort, mugwort, vervain, yarrow, fennel, thyme, rue

Foods: Honey, mead, summer fruits (strawberries, cherries), fresh vegetables, bread, ale, wine

Crystals: Sunstone, citrine, tiger's eye, carnelian, amber, clear quartz, diamond

Deities: Apollo (Greek), Ra (Egyptian), Lugh (Celtic), Helios (Greek), Sol (Roman), Amaterasu (Japanese)

Element: Fire (sun's power at peak)

Direction: South (height of sun, summer, fire)

The Wheel of the Year: Litha's Place

Litha is opposite Yule on the Wheel:

• Yule (Dec 20-21): Winter Solstice, shortest day, sun reborn
• Litha (June 20-21): Summer Solstice, longest day, sun at peak

Both are turning points—Yule marks the return of light, Litha marks the return of darkness (though we're still in summer's abundance).

Traditional Litha Customs

1. Midsummer Bonfires

The most important Litha tradition—sacred fires lit at sunset.

Tradition:
• Light bonfire at sunset on solstice eve
• Jump over fire for protection and purification
• Dance around fire all night
• Stay awake until sunrise
• Collect ashes for protection magic

Modern Practice:
• Light bonfire, fire pit, or many candles
• Jump over fire (safely!) for blessing
• Stay up to watch sunrise
• Collect ashes for protection spells

2. Gathering Magical Herbs

Herbs gathered at Litha are most potent.

Tradition: Gather St. John's wort, mugwort, and other herbs at dawn on solstice day

Modern Practice:
• Harvest herbs from garden
• Dry for winter use
• Make herbal bundles
• Create protection sachets

3. Sun Wheels

Rolling burning wheels down hills to honor the sun.

Tradition: Create wheel, set it on fire, roll down hill (symbolizing sun's descent)

Modern Practice:
• Create sun wheel decoration for altar
• Draw sun symbols
• Make sun catchers

4. Watching Sunrise & Sunset

Honoring the longest day.

Tradition: Stay awake all night, watch sunset and sunrise

Modern Practice:
• Watch sunset on solstice eve
• Stay up or wake early for sunrise
• Meditate during both transitions
• Photograph the sun

5. Faerie Offerings

Midsummer is when faeries are most active.

Tradition: Leave offerings for faeries, especially at crossroads or under elder trees

Modern Practice:
• Leave milk, honey, or cakes
• Create faerie garden
• Be respectful—faeries are powerful at Litha!

Powerful Litha Rituals

1. Solar Power Ritual

You'll Need:
• Gold or orange candle
• Sunstone or citrine
• Sun symbol or image
• Honey

The Ritual:

1. Perform at solar noon (when sun is highest) on solstice
2. Stand in sunlight if possible
3. Light gold candle
4. Hold crystal toward sun
5. Say:
"Sun at zenith, power at peak,
I call upon the strength I seek.
Fill me with your golden light,
Grant me power, grant me might.
As you shine your brightest ray,
I claim my power on this day."
6. Visualize sun's power filling you
7. Anoint third eye with honey
8. Carry charged crystal for solar power
9. Repeat affirmation: "I am powerful like the sun."

2. Abundance Gratitude Ritual

You'll Need:
• Yellow candle
• Summer fruits and flowers
• Journal
• Honey

The Ritual:

1. Create abundance altar with fruits and flowers
2. Light yellow candle
3. In journal, list everything abundant in your life
4. Read list out loud with gratitude
5. Say:
"At summer's peak, abundance flows,
I'm grateful for all that life bestows.
I celebrate the fullness here,
And trust in cycles through the year."
6. Eat fruit mindfully, tasting abundance
7. Drizzle honey on fruit
8. Share abundance—give fruit to others
9. Keep flowers on altar through summer

3. Protection Charm Making

You'll Need:
• St. John's wort (most protective at Litha)
• Red cloth or pouch
• Black tourmaline or obsidian
• Red thread

The Ritual:

1. Gather or purchase St. John's wort
2. Place herb and crystal in red pouch
3. Tie with red thread
4. Hold over Litha fire or candle flame
5. Say:
"By Litha's fire and summer's might,
This charm protects both day and night.
No harm can come, no ill can stay,
Protection strong in every way."
6. Carry with you or hang above door
7. Recharge annually at Litha

4. Oak King Meditation

You'll Need:
• Quiet outdoor space (near oak tree if possible)
• Oak leaves or acorns

The Practice:

1. Sit under oak tree or hold oak leaves
2. Close eyes and breathe deeply
3. Visualize the Oak King—strong, green, vital
4. See him at his peak power
5. Feel his strength within you
6. Ask: "What is at its peak in my life?"
7. Listen for answer
8. Ask: "What must I prepare to release?"
9. Understand that all peaks lead to decline
10. Thank the Oak King
11. Take oak leaf as reminder

5. Sunrise Intention Setting

You'll Need:
• Yourself
• View of sunrise
• Journal (optional)

The Ritual:

1. Wake before sunrise on solstice
2. Go outside or to window facing east
3. Watch the sun rise on the longest day
4. As first light appears, set intention:
"What do I want to shine brightly in my life?"
5. As sun rises higher, feel your power rising
6. When sun is fully risen, say:
"I shine my light as brightly as the sun.
I claim my power. I am radiant."
7. Carry this solar confidence through the day
8. Journal about insights

Litha Feast Foods

Traditional Foods:

• Honey: Mead, honey cakes, honey butter
• Summer fruits: Strawberries, cherries, peaches, berries
• Fresh vegetables: Salads, grilled vegetables
• Bread: Sun-shaped bread, grain breads
• Ale and wine: Summer drinks
• Grilled foods: BBQ, fire-cooked meals
• Edible flowers: Nasturtiums, roses, lavender
• Dairy: Cheese, cream

Litha Recipes:
• Honey mead
• Summer berry pie
• Sun-shaped bread
• Grilled vegetables
• Strawberry shortcake
• Lemonade with herbs

Litha Activities

• Light bonfire
• Watch sunrise and sunset
• Gather herbs
• Make sun wheels or sun catchers
• Swim in natural water
• Have outdoor feast
• Make flower crowns
• Create protection charms
• Stay up all night (traditional)
• Leave faerie offerings
• Charge crystals in sunlight
• Make sun tea
• Practice sun salutations (yoga)
• Celebrate outdoors all day

Litha Magic & Spellwork

Best Litha Magic For:

• Power and strength
• Protection (especially strong at Litha)
• Abundance and prosperity
• Success and achievement
• Confidence and courage
• Vitality and health
• Solar magic
• Faerie magic
• Divination (veil is thin)
• Charging tools and crystals

The Bittersweet Truth of Litha

Litha is bittersweet because it's the peak—and all peaks lead to decline:

The Light: Longest day, sun at maximum, abundance everywhere

The Shadow: From tomorrow, days grow shorter, darkness returns, decline begins

The Wisdom: Enjoy the peak while it lasts. Nothing stays at its height forever. Cycles are natural. What rises must fall, what falls will rise again.

The Practice: Celebrate fully NOW, knowing change is coming. Don't cling to the peak—enjoy it, then let it go.

Litha for Modern Witches

Urban Litha:
• Light many candles instead of bonfire
• Watch sunrise from rooftop or window
• Visit park or beach
• Create sun altar indoors
• Charge crystals on sunny windowsill

Solitary Practice:
• Personal sunrise meditation
• Solo bonfire or candle ritual
• Sun power visualization
• Gratitude journaling

With Community:
• Group bonfire
• Potluck feast
• Stay up all night together
• Drum circle
• Sunrise gathering

Final Thoughts: Shine Your Brightest

Litha asks: Are you shining as brightly as you can? Are you living at your fullest? Are you celebrating your power? Or are you dimming your light, playing small, hiding your radiance?

The sun doesn't apologize for shining. It doesn't dim itself to make others comfortable. It blazes at full power, giving life to everything it touches.

You are made of the same stuff as the sun—stardust, light, fire, power. Litha is your permission to SHINE. To be powerful. To be radiant. To be at your peak.

Yes, the decline will come. Days will shorten. Winter will return. But that's tomorrow's truth. Today, on the longest day, you shine as brightly as the sun itself.

Blessed Litha! May you shine your brightest and celebrate your power!