Litha is a festival that celebrates the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, which usually occurs around June 21st in the Northern Hemisphere. It is observed in various pagan and Wiccan traditions as a time to honor the sun at its peak of power, reflecting abundance, fertility, and growth in nature.

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Litha is part of the Wheel of the Year, a calendar of seasonal festivals celebrated in modern paganism. Common practices during Litha include lighting bonfires, feasting, gathering herbs, and holding rituals to honor the sun and its life-giving energy. Some people also use this time to reflect on their personal goals and express gratitude for the abundance in their lives.

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Litha Ritual: Embracing the Light and Growth of the Sun

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Preparation:

Location: Choose a place where you can feel the elements—earth, air, fire, and water—around you. Ideally, this would be outdoors in a forest, by a river, or in your garden. If indoors, try to be near a window where the sun's light can shine through.

Time: Litha, the Summer Solstice, is best celebrated at sunrise, noon, or sunset on June 21st (or the closest date to the Solstice).

Altar Setup: Prepare an altar with items that represent the elements and the sun’s energy. You can include the following:

• Flowers: Sunflowers, marigolds, daisies, or bright-coloured seasonal flowers that symbolize the sun and joy.

• Crystals: Citrine, sunstone, amber, and clear quartz to amplify solar energy.

• Candles: Gold, yellow, or white candles to represent the sun's light.

• Herbs: Rosemary, lavender, chamomile, or sage. These herbs can be placed in bundles or strewn on your altar to invoke protection and healing.

• Fruits & Grains: A bowl of fresh summer fruits (like strawberries or peaches) and bread or grains to symbolize the abundance of the season.

• Water: A bowl of fresh water or water infused with herbs or flowers to represent cleansing, balance, and life-giving energy.

• Sun Symbol: A solar disc made from paper, wood, or metal, or a sun sigil drawn on a piece of paper.

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Ritual Steps:

  

1. Cast the Sacred Circle

Begin by marking the space as sacred, creating a boundary that holds the energy of the ritual.

Stand in the centre of your chosen space and raise your arms to the sky.

Slowly turn in a clockwise direction, using a wand, athame, or your hand to "draw" a circle of energy around you.

As you turn, visualize a circle of golden light surrounding your ritual space, glowing with warmth and protection.

Say these words or adapt them to your tradition:

"I cast this circle with the light of the sun, a sacred space of power and protection. Let this circle be a place of joy, growth, and harmony, as I honour the longest day of the year and the life-giving energy of the sun."

Feel the boundary of your circle, grounding you to the Earth and connecting you to the sky.

 

2. Call the Elements

To invite the energies of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water, turn to each cardinal direction and call upon the elements:

Face East (Air):

Invocation: "Spirits of the East, powers of Air, I call upon you to bring clarity and insight. Fill this space with the winds of change and inspiration. Welcome!"

Visualize gentle breezes bringing fresh ideas and new beginnings into your circle.

Face South (Fire):

Invocation: "Spirits of the South, powers of Fire, I call upon you to bring passion, courage, and transformation. Burn brightly and energize this sacred space with the strength of the sun. Welcome!"

Feel the warmth and power of fire, igniting your inner strength.

Face West (Water):

Invocation: "Spirits of the West, powers of Water, I call upon you to bring healing, intuition, and emotional flow. Let your waters cleanse this space, bringing balance and peace. Welcome!"

Imagine the gentle flow of a river or the crash of ocean waves, purifying the space and your heart.

Face North (Earth):

Invocation: "Spirits of the North, powers of Earth, I call upon you to bring stability, growth, and abundance. Root me to the Earth and nurture me as the Earth nurtures all life. Welcome!"

Feel the grounding energy of the Earth beneath you, solid and stable.

 

3. Light the Fire of the Sun

At the heart of the ritual, light your gold or yellow candle as a symbol of the sun’s peak power. If possible, light a small outdoor fire or a bonfire if your space allows.

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Invocation of the Sun:

Raise the candle (or gaze at your fire):

"Great Sun, source of all life and warmth, on this day of your highest power, I honour you. Shine upon me with your radiant light, filling my soul with your strength, joy, and vitality. As you reach your peak, so do I. May your light illuminate my path and guide me toward my highest potential."

Feel the heat and glow of the candle/fire. Visualize the sun's energy filling your body, awakening your spirit, and bringing clarity to your mind.

4. Offering of Gratitude

Take the bowl of water and your fresh herbs (lavender, rosemary, chamomile), and gently sprinkle the herbs into the water as an offering to the Earth and the sun.

As you do this, say:

"I offer this gift of life and growth to the Earth, to the sun, and to the spirits that sustain us. I am grateful for the abundance of this season, for the warmth of the sun, for the beauty of nature, and for the growth in my life. As the Earth is nourished, so am I."

Pour the water onto the Earth (or into a potted plant) as an offering, symbolizing the balance between fire (the sun) and water (the element of life).

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5. Meditation on Growth and Abundance

Sit in a comfortable position, holding a sunstone or Citrine crystal in your hand, or simply place your hands on your knees, palms up to receive energy.

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Guided Meditation:

Close your eyes and imagine yourself standing in a lush green field, bathed in the golden light of the sun.

Visualize the sun’s rays pouring down on you, filling every cell of your body with warmth and power.

As the light flows into you, think of the ways you have grown this year—your achievements, personal growth, and the abundance in your life.

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Reflect on how you wish to continue growing, like a sunflower stretching toward the sky. Set an intention for the next phase of the year, and hold this intention in your heart as you breathe in the sun’s energy.

Spend as much time as you feel is needed in this meditation, allowing the energy to fill you completely.

 

6. Close the Ritual

When you feel ready to close the ritual, thank the elements and the sun.

• Face North (Earth): "Thank you, Spirits of the Earth, for your strength and abundance. Stay if you will, go if you must. Blessed be!"

• Face West (Water): "Thank you, Spirits of Water, for your healing and intuition. Stay if you will, go if you must. Blessed be!"

• Face South (Fire): "Thank you, Spirits of Fire, for your passion and transformation. Stay if you will, go if you must. Blessed be!"

• Face East (Air): "Thank you, Spirits of Air, for your clarity and insight. Stay if you will, go if you must. Blessed be!"

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Extinguish the candle/fire with reverence, saying:

"Though this flame is extinguished, the fire of the sun burns brightly within me. I carry its light forward as I continue to grow and thrive."

Visualize the energy of the sun continuing to surround you, even as the ritual comes to a close.

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7. Celebratory Feast

End your ritual by sharing in a small feast. Enjoy seasonal fruits, bread, or honeyed treats that symbolize the sweetness and abundance of summer. Raise a cup (of water, juice, or mead) and toast to the sun, to nature, and to the continuous cycles of life.

Toast: "To the sun, the giver of life. To the Earth, the nurturer of all. To the balance of light and dark. And to my continued growth. Blessed be!"

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Optional Ritual Enhancements:

• Bonfire: If you have the space, jumping over a small bonfire can symbolize purification and leaping into a new phase of life with the sun’s power.

• Sun Wheel: Create a sun wheel from vines and flowers. You can hang this on your door or place it on your altar as a symbol of solar energy.

• Talisman Creation: During the ritual, gather flowers, herbs, and small symbols of the season to create a charm or talisman. Charge it with the sun’s energy to carry with you through the year.

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This detailed Litha ritual brings the solar energy into your life with a deep sense of gratitude, growth, and balance. Enjoy celebrating the turning of the wheel and the height of the sun's power!

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