Litha Complete Guide: Summer Solstice Sun Festival (June 20-21)
BY NICOLE LAU
What is Litha? The Festival of the Sun's Peak
Litha (pronounced "LEE-tha" or "LIH-tha"), celebrated on the Summer Solstice around June 20-21, marks the longest day and shortest night of the year—the moment when the sun reaches its zenith and light triumphs completely over darkness. It's one of the four solar festivals in the Wheel of the Year and represents the peak of the sun's power, the height of summer's abundance, and the turning point when days begin to shorten. Litha is the sabbat of solar power, peak vitality, abundance at its fullest, and the celebration of light in all its glory.
In the Wheel of the Year, Litha sits directly opposite Yule (Winter Solstice). While Yule honors the sun's rebirth in darkness, Litha celebrates the sun's full power in light. The God is at his peak strength as the Oak King, nature is in full bloom, and life force energy is at maximum. This is a festival of power, success, abundance, and the ecstatic celebration of light's complete victory—though we also acknowledge that from this peak, the sun will begin its slow decline toward winter.
Litha is characterized by bonfires at their brightest, sun worship, gathering herbs at peak potency, celebrating abundance, and honoring the faery folk who are especially active at this liminal time. It's a time when magic is powerful, the veil is thin, and we celebrate having reached the summit before the descent begins.
The Name and Origins of Litha
Etymology and Meaning
The name "Litha" has debated origins:
- Anglo-Saxon: Possibly from "Liþa," the Anglo-Saxon name for June/July
- Modern usage: Popularized by modern paganism
- Alternative names: Midsummer, Summer Solstice, Alban Hefin (Druidic)
The festival celebrates:
- The sun at its peak power
- Longest day of the year
- Light's complete triumph
- Summer's full arrival
- The turning point (days begin to shorten)
Other Names for Litha
- Midsummer: Most common traditional name
- Summer Solstice: Astronomical name
- Alban Hefin: Druidic name ("Light of Summer")
- Feast of St. John: Christian adaptation (June 24)
- Midsummer's Eve: Night before solstice
- Gathering Day: For herb gathering
Historical Celebrations
Ancient peoples:
- Celebrated solstice for millennia
- Stonehenge aligned to summer solstice sunrise
- Bonfires lit on hilltops
- Sun worship and solar deities honored
- Herbs gathered at peak potency
- Celebrations of light and abundance
Medieval Europe:
- Midsummer bonfires and celebrations
- St. John's Eve (June 23) and Day (June 24)
- Gathering St. John's Wort
- Staying up all night
- Faery sightings and magic
- Community feasts and festivities
Modern revival:
- Neopagans celebrate as Litha
- Solar focus restored
- Fire festivals and gatherings
- Herb gathering continues
- Stonehenge gatherings
Litha Themes and Symbolism
The Sun at Peak Power
The sun is THE focus of Litha:
- Longest day, shortest night
- Solar power at maximum
- Light's complete triumph
- Warmth and vitality
- Life-giving energy
- The turning point (paradox of peak)
Abundance and Harvest Beginning
Nature is at peak abundance:
- Everything in full bloom
- First harvests beginning
- Fruits ripening
- Herbs at peak potency
- Gardens overflowing
- Nature's generosity on full display
Power and Success
Litha energy supports achievement:
- Peak power and strength
- Success and victory
- Confidence and courage
- Manifestation at its strongest
- Goals reached
- Celebrating accomplishments
The Oak King and Holly King
The battle of the kings:
- Oak King rules from Yule to Litha (waxing year)
- At Litha, Holly King defeats Oak King
- Holly King will rule from Litha to Yule (waning year)
- Represents the eternal cycle
- Light begins to wane after peak
Faery Magic
The veil is thin at Litha:
- Faeries especially active
- Midsummer night's magic
- Liminal time between light and dark
- Enchantment and wonder
- Respect and caution advised
How to Celebrate Litha: Essential Practices
1. Sunrise and Sunset Observation
Honor the longest day.
Sunrise (traditional):
- Wake before dawn on solstice
- Watch the sun rise at its northernmost point
- Greet the sun with gratitude
- Meditate on solar power
- Stonehenge gatherings for this
Sunset:
- Watch the sun set after longest day
- Acknowledge the turning point
- Light bonfire as sun sets
- Honor both light and coming darkness
2. Bonfire Celebration
Fire at its brightest.
Traditional practice:
- Light bonfire at sunset on solstice eve
- Make it as bright as possible
- Dance around fire
- Jump over flames for purification and luck
- Keep burning through the night
- Celebrate light's victory
Modern adaptations:
- Backyard fire pit
- Candles if fire not possible
- Golden candles for solar energy
- Focus on light and warmth
3. Herb Gathering
Herbs are at peak potency.
Traditional herbs:
- St. John's Wort (THE Litha herb)
- Lavender
- Chamomile
- Mugwort
- Yarrow
- Vervain
How to gather:
- Gather at dawn on solstice
- Ask permission
- Leave offerings
- Dry for year-round use
- Most potent when gathered at Litha
4. Sun Worship and Solar Magic
Honor the sun's power.
Practices:
- Spend time in sunlight
- Sun gazing (safely, briefly)
- Solar meditation
- Wear gold and yellow
- Work with solar deities
- Charge crystals in sunlight
5. Abundance Celebration
Acknowledge nature's generosity.
Traditional practices:
- Feast on summer fruits
- Harvest first vegetables
- Decorate with flowers
- Share abundance with others
- Give thanks for blessings
6. Faery Offerings
Honor the Good Folk.
Traditional offerings:
- Honey and mead
- Cakes and bread
- Flowers
- Milk or cream
- Left at sacred trees or crossroads
- Midsummer night especially potent
7. Oak and Holly Ritual
Honor the changing kings.
Symbolism:
- Oak represents waxing year (spring/summer)
- Holly represents waning year (fall/winter)
- At Litha, Holly defeats Oak
- Acknowledge the cycle
8. Staying Up All Night
Traditional Midsummer practice.
Why:
- Honor the shortest night
- Watch for faeries
- Keep vigil
- Greet both sunset and sunrise
- Liminal magic of Midsummer night
Litha for Beginners: Simple First Celebration
If this is your first Litha, keep it simple:
Minimal Litha Practice
- Watch the sunrise or sunset: Honor the longest day
- Light golden candles: Represent the sun
- Spend time in sunlight: Absorb solar energy
- Eat summer fruits: Strawberries, cherries, oranges
- Give thanks for abundance: Acknowledge blessings
Beginner Litha Ritual (30 Minutes)
What you'll need:
- Gold or yellow candle
- Summer flowers (sunflowers ideal)
- Summer fruit
- Journal and pen
Process:
- Create simple altar with candle and flowers
- Light gold candle
- Say: "The sun is at its peak. Light triumphs. I celebrate the longest day and honor the sun's power."
- Eat fruit mindfully, tasting summer's sweetness
- Journal: What am I grateful for? What have I accomplished? What power do I claim?
- Close: "Blessed Litha. May the sun's power fill my life."
Litha Correspondences
At a Glance
- Date: June 20-21 (Summer Solstice)
- Also known as: Midsummer, Summer Solstice, Alban Hefin
- Themes: Sun, light, power, success, abundance, peak energy
- Colors: Gold, yellow, orange, red, green
- Symbols: Sun, bonfires, sunflowers, oak, holly, summer fruits
- Crystals: Citrine, sunstone, tiger's eye, amber, clear quartz
- Herbs: St. John's Wort, lavender, chamomile, mugwort, yarrow
- Foods: Summer fruits, honey, mead, fresh vegetables, solar foods
- Deities: Sun gods (Ra, Apollo, Lugh), Oak King, Holly King
- Element: Fire (primarily)
- Direction: South (fire and sun)
- Activities: Bonfires, sunrise/sunset watching, herb gathering, sun worship, feasting
The God at Litha
The Oak King at His Peak
At Litha, the God is at maximum power:
- Oak King in full strength
- Sun god at zenith
- Masculine energy at peak
- Provider and protector
- About to be defeated by Holly King
- Represents the waxing year
Sun gods associated with Litha:
- Ra (Egyptian sun god)
- Apollo (Greek sun god)
- Lugh (Celtic sun god)
- Helios (Greek personification of sun)
- Baldur (Norse god of light)
The Battle of Oak and Holly
Central Litha mythology:
- Oak King rules waxing year (Yule to Litha)
- Holly King rules waning year (Litha to Yule)
- At Litha, they battle
- Holly King wins, Oak King dies
- But Oak King will be reborn at Yule
- Eternal cycle of light and dark
Modern Litha Practice
Adapting Traditions
Modern practitioners adapt Litha to contemporary life:
- Urban bonfires (fire pits, candles)
- Sunrise yoga or meditation
- Virtual gatherings with distant community
- Simplified rituals for busy schedules
- Solar panel charging as modern sun worship
- Honoring light in personal ways
Litha in the Southern Hemisphere
In the Southern Hemisphere, June is winter, not summer. Southern practitioners can:
- Celebrate Litha at their summer solstice (December 20-21)
- Celebrate Yule in June
- Adapt traditions to actual seasons
- Honor the astronomical timing regardless of traditional dates
The Wheel of the Year follows the sun and seasons, not the calendar.
Final Thoughts: The Peak of Light
Litha reminds us that even at the peak, change is coming. The longest day contains the seed of darkness's return. The sun at its zenith begins its descent. This isn't cause for sadness—it's the natural rhythm of existence. We celebrate having reached the summit while acknowledging that all peaks are followed by valleys, all summers by winters, all light by darkness.
The sun is at its peak. The fires burn brightest. The herbs are most potent. Nature is most abundant. We stand in full light, celebrating power, success, and the complete triumph of day over night—while knowing that tomorrow, the balance shifts.
Light your fires. Gather your herbs. Honor the sun. Celebrate abundance. Claim your power. And know that light, even at its peak, is part of an eternal dance with darkness.
Blessed Litha. May the sun's power fill your life, may your fires burn bright, and may you celebrate the peak with joy. ☀️🔥🌻✨
