Litha
Litha marks the height of the Sun’s power and the longest day of the year. This sabbat celebrates the peak of summer, when nature is in full abundance and the God’s solar energy reaches its zenith. It’s a time of fulfillment, manifestation, and celebrating the achievements of the year so far. The warmth and light of the sun blesses the land with growth and abundance, though after this point, the days will gradually begin to shorten as we move toward the darker half of the year.
History & Origins
Ancient cultures worldwide revered the summer solstice as a sacred time. Stone circles like Stonehenge were precisely aligned to capture the solstice sunrise. The name “Litha” comes from Anglo-Saxon tradition, though midsummer celebrations transcend cultural boundaries. Our ancestors lit mighty bonfires to honor the sun’s power and gathered herbs believed to be at their most potent on this day. The Oak King, representing the waxing year, surrenders his crown to the Holly King of the waning year at this turning point.
Modern Celebrations
Modern celebrations focus on harnessing the sun’s peak energy through rituals, feasting, and community gatherings. Many practitioners rise at dawn to greet the sun, gather herbs while they’re charged with solstice energy, and hold bonfires after sunset. Creating sun wheels, performing protection magic, and crafting solar amulets are common practices. Some traditions hold night-long vigils, watching the sun set and rise again during the shortest night of the year.
Correspondences
Deities & Their Domains
- Apollo (Sun, healing, prophecy)
- Helios (Solar power, light)
- Lugh (Crafts, skills, excellence)
- Ra (Sun, creation, power)
- Sulis (Sun, healing waters)
- Amaterasu (Divine sun, universe)
- Oak King (Waxing year)
- Holly King (Waning year)
- Horus (Sky, sun)
- Sol (Sun personified)
- Sunna (Norse sun goddess)
- Belenus (Light, healing)
Botanicals & Meanings
- Oak (Strength, protection)
- St. John’s Wort (Protection, health)
- Vervain (Love, protection)
- Mugwort (Psychic powers, dreams)
- Chamomile (Solar energy, success)
- Lavender (Peace, purification)
- Sunflower (Loyalty, spirituality)
- Calendula (Success, sacred to the sun)
- Yarrow (Divination, courage)
- Elder (Protection, healing)
- Thyme (Courage, purification)
- Rosemary (Remembrance, protection)
- Mint (Energy, vitality)
- Sage (Wisdom, cleansing)
Crystals & Meanings
- Sunstone (Personal power, vitality)
- Citrine (Success, abundance)
- Amber (Protection, healing)
- Clear Quartz (Amplification, clarity)
- Tiger’s Eye (Confidence, power)
- Ruby (Passion, energy)
- Yellow Topaz (Manifestation)
- Carnelian (Motivation, courage)
- Golden Calcite (Energy, confidence)
- Rutilated Quartz (Manifestation)
- Fire Agate (Spiritual energy)
- Red Jasper (Strength, vitality)
Colors & Meanings
- Gold (Solar power, success)
- Yellow (Mental clarity, joy)
- Orange (Energy, creativity)
- Red (Passion, strength)
- White (Purification, protection)
- Green (Abundance, growth)
- Blue (Sky energy, peace)
Tarot Associations
- The Sun (Success, joy, achievement)
- Ten of Wands (Peak of effort)
- King of Wands (Solar energy, leadership)
- Six of Wands (Victory, recognition)
- The Chariot (Triumph, willpower)
- Ace of Wands (New inspiration)
- Queen of Wands (Confident action)
- The Emperor (Authority, power)
Timing Correspondences
- Day of Week: Sunday
- Time of Day: Noon/Solar Peak
- Moon Phase: Full Moon
Altar Decorations
- Sun symbols
- Gold or brass items
- Sunflowers
- Yellow candles
- Oak leaves
- Solar wheels
- Crystals in sun colors
- Fresh herbs
- Fire representations
- Golden altar cloth
- Brass bowls
- Summer flowers
- Seashells
- Feathers
- Solar symbols
Foods & Beverages
- Sun Tea
- Honey Cakes
- Midsummer Mead
- Solar Punch
- Summer Fruit Pies
- Grilled Foods
- Sun-Shaped Breads
- Lemon Desserts
- Orange-Infused Treats
- Summer Berry Tarts
- Golden Cornbread
- Herb-Infused Waters
- Summer Wine
- Fresh Garden Vegetables
- Solar Cookie
Animal Correspondences
- Phoenix (Rebirth)
- Lion (Solar power)
- Dragon (Elemental fire)
- Eagle (Solar connection)
- Bee (Productivity)
- Butterfly (Transformation)
- Dragonfly (Light magic)
- Snake (Transformation)
- Horse (Solar power)
- Hawk (Solar vision)
Intention Keywords
- Success
- Achievement
- Manifestation
- Power
- Strength
- Protection
- Growth
- Abundance
- Confidence
- Clarity
- Healing
- Transformation
- Purification
- Energy
- Vitality
Magical Practices
- Solar Rituals
- Fire Scrying
- Protection Spells
- Herb Gathering
- Amulet Creation
- Sun Bathing (safely)
- Fire Jumping
- Dawn Ceremonies
- Solar Meditation
- Sun Wheel Making
- Power Charging
- Abundance Magic
- Healing Work
- Manifestation Rituals
- Divination
- Solar Attunement
- Light Work
- Success Spells
- Confidence Magic
- Purification Rites
