June 20-23 Northern Hemisphere
December 20-23 Southern Hemisphere
Other Names: Litha, Midsummer, Gathering Day, Summer Solstice, Alban Heffyn, Feill-Sheathain
Incense: Sage, mint, basil, Saint John’s Wort, sunflower, Lavender
Decorations: Dried herbs, potpourri, seashells, summer flowers, and fruits.
Colors: blue, green, and yellow
Summer Solstice or Midsummer is the second of three summer sabbats starting with Beltane and ending with Lammas or Lughnasadh. The Summer Solstice marks the longest day of the year. It is the most powerful day of the year for the Sun God. Sun and fire play a prominent role in this sabbat. Fire is the element of transformation, it can burn, consume, cook, provide, light, purify, and has been instrumental in the evolution of man. Bale-fires and other fire rituals are prominently featured during this solstice celebration.
Lore and History
Many cultures of the Northern Hemisphere mark Midsummer in some ritualized manner. The immemorial people acknowledged the rising of the sun on this day. At Stonehenge, the Heel Stone marks the midsummer sunrise and is seen from the center of the stone circle. If you are local we have a Stonehenge right here in Salem, NH it is truly magickal to watch the sun rise on the Sabbat there.
The Summer Solstice was a fire-festival of great importance where the burning of bale-fires strengthened the power of the sun. The fire festival was celebrated with processions by torchlight, and by flaming tar barrels or by wheels bound with straw, which were set alight and rolled down steep hillsides. The Norse especially loved lengthy processions and would gather together their animals, families and lighted torches and parade through the countryside to the celebration site.
The use of fires to be a magical aid to the sun, were also used to drive out evil and to bring fertility and prosperity to men, crops and herds. Blazing gorse or furze was carried around cattle to prevent disease and misfortune; while people would dance around the bale-fires or leap through the flames as a purifying or strengthening rite. The Celts would light bale-fires all over their lands from sunset the night before Midsummer until sunset the next day. Around these flames the festivities would take place.
Astronomically, it is the longest day of the year, representing the God at full power. Although the hottest days of the summer still lie ahead, from this point onward we enter the waning year. Each day the Sun will recede from the skies a little earlier. Until Yule, when the days begin to become longer again.
Agriculturally, the crops are in full growth. They are reaching maturity and coming closer to the harvest time. Most wild herbs and flowers are fully mature by Midsummer. So, this is the traditional time for gathering magickal and medicinal plants to dry and store them for winter use. In Wales, Midsummer is called Gathering Day in honor of this practice.
Magical Aspects
Since this sabbat revolves around the sun, a candle should be lit for the entire day, especially if it is cloudy or raining. The fire represents the sun and is a constant daily reminder of the power of the God. Rituals are often times performed at noon, when the sun is highest in the sky. Most commonly rituals performed on Midsummer are those dealing with masculine issues, masculine energies, or issues dealing with solar influence.
Many pagans choose to make protective amulets, in the week before the Sabbat, which are later empowered over the Midsummer bale-fire. Some witches choose to bury their protective amulets each Midsummer’s eve and construct new ones. Rue, rowan and basil, tied together in a white or gold cloth, is a good protective trio that can be carried in your pocket year round.
Midsummer is the time many choose to formalize their relationships. Couples that have been together a year and a day since the previous Beltane can make their marriage final. This Sabbat is also an excellent time to re-new wedding vows.
Midsummer Incense
Sage, mint, basil, Saint John’s Wort, sunflower, mistletoe (specifically the berries which represent semen), oak, rowan, and fir.
Suggested activities for the Summer Solstice
*Re-dedication to the Lord and Lady
*Divination related to romance and love
*Light a white candle in front of a mirror and say a prayer over it, them allowing the candle to burn out.
*Float paper boats with blessings on a river/stream to bring luck and love to whatever may find it, or to the land.
*Singing and dancing around a bonfire
*Outdoor picnic feasts
*Create crowns out of flowers
References
http://www.oocities.org/stormwng/litha_lore.html
http://www.witchipedia.com/def:summer-solstice
https://www.circlesanctuary.org/index.php/celebrating-the-seasons/summer-solstice