| The summer solstice has long been a time
| |
| | our debt to Mother Earth and Her
|
| of celebration and festivity for cultures
| |
| | children.
|
| dating back to ancient times and
| |
| | The many sacred stone circles found
|
| stretching through the present day. For
| |
| | around the globe (e.g. Stonehenge) were
|
| those of us on the Northern Hemisphere,
| |
| | believed to have been built to celebrate
|
| this day falls approximately on June
| |
| | this time. On a practical level any
|
| 21st. During this time the Earth is
| |
| | agricultural society would hold this time
|
| tilted closest to the Sun giving us
| |
| | in very high regard. Not only does this
|
| greater exposure to the Sun's light and,
| |
| | longest day of the year offer a welcome
|
| subsequently, the longest day of the
| |
| | break, it also marks the transition from
|
| year.
| |
| | cultivation to harvest. The significance
|
| The themes of Summer Solstice are sex,
| |
| | of this day was not only practical but
|
| love, creativity, energy, luck, health
| |
| | also held a much deeper, spiritual
|
| and wishes. "Solstice" comes from the
| |
| | meaning. If you are lucky enough to live
|
| Latin "sol" meaning sun, and "sistere,"
| |
| | near a sacred stone circle plan a picnic
|
| to cause to stand still. As the summer
| |
| | and bring whatever supplies needed for
|
| solstice draws near, the noonday sun
| |
| | your individual spells and rituals.
|
| rises higher and higher in the sky each
| |
| | Alternatively, one can create their own
|
| day. On the day of the solstice, it rises
| |
| | stone circle by selecting stones that you
|
| an imperceptible amount, compared to the
| |
| | are able to feel a vibration from or are
|
| day before, thus appearing to "stand
| |
| | otherwise attracted to and placing them
|
| still." In the magical sense, Summer
| |
| | in a circle. Choose eight large stones
|
| Solstice brings us to the halfway point
| |
| | and place them equidistant at each spoke
|
| of the Wheel of the Year. The sun is in
| |
| | of the wheel. Fill in the spaces with
|
| full reign, reaching a peak in the sky
| |
| | smaller stones. Cast your circle as you
|
| and shedding beams of truth. The
| |
| | normally do prior to performing any
|
| brilliance of the sun allows us to see
| |
| | spellcraft.
|
| things clearly, banishing shadows and
| |
| | This is the time of year to write down
|
| releasing the past.
| |
| | any wishes you have and tossing them,
|
| This day has special meaning to all
| |
| | along with a Litha inspired offering into
|
| societies. For those who follow Faerie
| |
| | a well, spring, or cauldron. For example,
|
| Magik, this is an especially meaningful
| |
| | simply hold a small stone along with a
|
| event as it is said that all the faeries
| |
| | special feather or sprig of herbs in your
|
| come out to celebrate this day with all
| |
| | right hand and meditate on the wish (or
|
| the creatures of the forest. An elaborate
| |
| | reasons to be thankful). Once you have
|
| feast is held with endless goblets of
| |
| | filled up the stone with your meditation,
|
| ale, festive music and dancing. If you're
| |
| | toss it with intention into the water. If
|
| familiar with faerie lore, you won't be
| |
| | a cauldron was used, empty the contents
|
| surprised to learn that these Summer
| |
| | into a stream or other body of running
|
| Solstice parties are clothing optional
| |
| | water when the spell is complete.
|
| and last until the wee hours of the
| |
| | Litha has long been a time for
|
| following morning. Shakespeare centered
| |
| | unadulterated joy and pleasure. Lengthy
|
| his faerie-packed tale of love and
| |
| | and detailed scripted rituals seem to
|
| trickery, A Midsummer's Night Dream,
| |
| | contradict the spirit of this season.
|
| around this mystical day.
| |
| | Rather, we should celebrate with
|
| Of the modern religions, it is the Pagan
| |
| | intention but with an open heart. Focus
|
| & Wiccan societies that celebrate this
| |
| | on how grateful one should be that the
|
| day with the most passion. This holiday
| |
| | Sun continues His tireless journey each
|
| is most commonly known as "Litha" (the
| |
| | year providing so much to all of us. Pick
|
| ancient Germanic name for Summer) and it
| |
| | a few themes (below) and simply set out
|
| is believed to be the time when the Sun
| |
| | to have a great time. Rise early with the
|
| God is at his strongest. He is also the
| |
| | Sun and plan a bonfire for later that
|
| God of the Forrest and is often depicted
| |
| | night to further lengthen this day. In
|
| as seated at on a green wood throne.
| |
| | other words, party 'till you drop!
|
| During the time in which Christianity and
| |
| | The following themes and recipes are
|
| Paganism was merging, images of the Sun
| |
| | utilized in Pagan ceremonies, rituals,
|
| God wearing masks made of leaves were
| |
| | and spells:
|
| included in the architectural features of
| |
| | Herbs - basil, chamomile, daisy, elder,
|
| many early churches. This God has become
| |
| | pine, St. John's wort, tyme, yarrow,
|
| more commonly known to modern Wiccans as
| |
| | frankincense, fennel, lavender, and lily
|
| The Green Man.
| |
| | Essential oils and incense -
|
| Herbs are at their most potent state
| |
| | frankincense, lemon, lavender,
|
| during this time. Now is the time to
| |
| | sandalwood, lotus, jasmine, rose,
|
| gather and dry your herbs for use during
| |
| | wisteria, and myrrh
|
| the rest of the year. Be sure not to wait
| |
| | Colors - yellow, white, red, blue, green,
|
| too long past Litha or the plants will
| |
| | tan
|
| begin to seed and lose potency. Gather
| |
| | Decoration - anything reminiscent of the
|
| roots as the Moon wanes and leaves &
| |
| | sun (yellows, reds, oranges), dried
|
| flowers as the Moon is waxing. Thank each
| |
| | herbs, potpourri, fruits, summer flowers
|
| plant as you harvest it, keeping in mind
| |
| | Gemstones - any green stone (e.g.
|
