Summer Solstice & Litha 2025: A Witch's Celebration Guide

As the days stretch to their glorious longest and the sun reigns supreme in the sky, we approach a magical time of year: the Summer Solstice, also known as Litha. This isn't just any day; it's the peak of the sun's power, a vibrant celebration of light, abundance, and the flourishing of nature.

Falling around June 20th or 21st in the Northern Hemisphere (it's June 20th this year!), the Summer Solstice marks the longest day and the shortest night of the year. From this point forward, though the warmth lingers, the days will gradually begin to shorten, reminding us to savor every moment of this sun-drenched season.

Litha Customs: Honouring the Sun's Majesty

Litha, a term often used in modern Pagan traditions, is a time of joy, revelry, and gratitude. Historically, solstices have been celebrated across cultures with various customs, all centereed around honouring the sun's life-giving energy. Here are some beautiful ways to connect with the spirit of Litha:

• Bonfires and Flames: Fire is a central element of Litha, symbolizing the sun's power. Lighting a bonfire (safely, of course!) or even just candles, is a powerful way to honour the sun and purify spaces. You can write down things you wish to release or manifest and safely offer them to the flames.
• Feasting and Gathering: This is a time for community and celebration! Gather with loved ones for a feast featuring fresh, seasonal produce. Think berries, salads, and anything that speaks of summer's bounty.
• Nature Walks and Outdoor Time: Spend time immersed in nature. Walk barefoot in the grass, visit a blooming garden, or simply sit outside and soak up the sun's rays. Connect with the vibrant energy of the earth at its fullest.
• Flower Crowns and Decor: Adorn yourself and your space with flowers! Weaving flower crowns is a beautiful, ancient tradition that celebrates the beauty and abundance of the season. Decorate your home with fresh flowers and herbs.
• Divination and Reflection: With the heightened energy of the solstice, it's a potent time for reflection and setting intentions. Journal, meditate, or engage in your preferred form of divination to gain clarity and direction for the coming months.

How to Celebrate Litha This Year

Whether you're planning a grand gathering or a quiet personal ritual, here are some ideas for celebrating Litha:

1. Watch the Sunrise/Sunset: Start or end your day by witnessing the sun's powerful presence. It's a simple yet profound way to acknowledge the solstice.
2. Create a Sun Altar: Gather items that represent the sun, warmth, and abundance. This could include yellow or orange candles, sunflowers, crystals, and symbols of growth.
3. Perform a Sun Salutation (Yoga): If you practice yoga, a series of sun salutations is a perfect way to greet the sun and imbue your body with its energy.
4. Harvest Herbs: Many herbs are at their peak around the solstice. If you have a garden, gather herbs like lavender, chamomile, or St. John's Wort (traditionally associated with Litha) to dry and use later.
5. Enjoy a Picnic: Pack a delicious meal and head to a park or natural setting to enjoy the longest day outdoors.

Creating Your Litha Altar

A Litha altar is a sacred space dedicated to the energy of the sun and the abundance of the season. Here's how to create your own:

1. Choose Your Space: Select a place where you can connect with the sun's energy, ideally near a window or outdoors.
2. Altar Cloth: Cover your altar with a cloth in summery colours like yellow, gold, orange, or green. You can also use a cloth with sun symbols or floral patterns.
3. Candles: Use yellow, orange, or red candles to represent the sun's fire. A central, larger candle can symbolize the sun itself.
4. Flowers and Herbs: Decorate your altar with seasonal flowers like sunflowers, roses, daisies, and herbs such as lavender, chamomile, rosemary, and St. John's Wort.
5. Crystals: Add crystals that resonate with the sun's energy, such as sunstone, citrine, carnelian, and amber.
6. Sun Symbols: Include any items that represent the sun to you, such as sun ornaments, images of the sun, or even a sun tarot card.
7. Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables: Place fresh, seasonal produce on your altar to celebrate the earth's bounty. Berries, citrus fruits, and summer vegetables are all excellent choices.
8. Personal Touches: Add any other items that hold personal meaning for you and connect you to the energy of Litha. This might include artwork, feathers, or symbols of growth and abundance.

Correspondences for the Summer Solstice

To further enhance your Litha celebrations, here are some traditional correspondences:

• Colours:

  • Gold: Represents the sun's radiant power, prosperity, and success.
  • Yellow: Symbolizes joy, happiness, intellect, and creativity.
  • Orange: Embodies energy, vitality, enthusiasm, and warmth.
  • Green: Signifies growth, abundance, fertility, and the flourishing earth.
  • White: Purity, light, and new beginnings.

• Crystals:

  • Sunstone: Directly linked to the sun, promoting joy, vitality, and leadership.
  • Citrine: Attracts abundance, prosperity, and positive energy.
  • Carnelian: Boosts courage, creativity, and motivation.
  • Amber: A fossilized resin, it's warm and sunny, bringing luck and healing.
  • Clear Quartz: Amplifies energy and intentions, perfect for any ritual.

• Herbs:

  • St. John's Wort: Traditionally associated with the sun and protection.
  • Lavender: Calming, purifying, and promotes peace.
  • Chamomile: Soothing, promotes relaxation and healing.
  • Mugwort: Used for divination and dreamwork.
  • Fennel: For strength and protection.
  • Rose: For love, beauty, and emotional healing.

• Flowers:

  • Sunflowers: Symbolize the sun, happiness, and vitality.
  • Roses: Represent love, beauty, and passion.
  • Daisies: Symbolize innocence, purity, and cheerfulness.
  • Lavender: Represents peace, calm, and purification.
  • And other seasonal blooms like peonies, lilies, and marigolds.

However you choose to celebrate, let the energy of Litha and the Summer Solstice fill you with warmth, joy, and gratitude. May your days be long, your spirits bright, and your heart open to the abundance of this vibrant season!