Litha, ’opposite of Yule’, is taken from the Saxon Tradition and celebrated on Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. On this Sabbat light and life are at their most abundant. Many ancient monuments… the most well-known of these being Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England, … are aligned with the Sun at this point in the Wheel of the Year. The Sun God has reached His greatest strength, and seated on his greenwood throne He is Lord of the Forests. In many Wiccan celebrations this is when the Oak King, representing the waxing year, is triumphed over by the Holly King, who represents the waning year. The two are one, the Holly King is the growing youth while the Oak King is the mature man, this depicting the legendary triumph over the light by darkness. Legends state that the darker brother kills the lighter brother, the latter taking up residence in the Underworld until time comes for him to return and slay his brother again, to rule for the next six months. The stories of Lugh and Goronwy, and the Oak King and the Holly King are two of these legends. In some other traditions it’s not until Samhain that the Holly King triumphs, as the year moves into its dark half.
This Sabbat also celebrates the Goddess in some traditions. She can be seen now as heavy with child, as nature is heavy with the fruits of the coming harvest. This is considered a time when energies abound; a good time for magick and purification rites and the ideal time to reaffirm our vows to the Lord and Lady, or our dedication to following the old traditions.
June’s full moon bears the name Honey Moon, as this is the time to collect honey from beehives. Mead is an excellent brew made from honey, and the traditional drink for Summer Solstice for that reason. Honey is often evident during this Sabbat, as it symbolises the sweetness of life and also, what combined energies to a single goal can accomplish.
Midsummer is a time of the Faeries, when a festival called Feast of the Faery is held. It is believed that at twilight on this day, the portals between the worlds open and the Faery folk may pass into our World. Welcome them on this day and they may bless you with their wisdom and joy.
This is the traditional time of year to harvest magickal and medicinal herbs, which are best cut with a scythe or boline, by the light of the Moon. Also, as the Sun enters the sign of Cancer, a water sign, it is one of the best holidays for gathering the magickal water required for use on our altars and in rituals, for the coming year. One excellent source would be rain water from a thunderstorm. The more electrical energy the storm puts out, the more energized the water is, so the fiercer the storm, the better! Catch the rain in outdoor receptacles, and collect this water in glass or porcelain containers… avoiding metal… and store it on a shelf. Don't leave the water on the ground, or its energy will ground. Water only really stays energised for six months, after which time, return the remainder to its source, and collect fresh. There are several other good magical water sources to be found, including the sea, rivers and streams, and natural springs. If, when collecting from the sea, shells and rocks are added, the energy of the water will stay higher during the six months it is in use.
Traditional Foods
Garden fresh fruits and vegetables are made into a variety of dishes and eaten by Pagans who choose to celebrate this day. Honey is abundant and Ale and Mead are traditional drinks.
Herbs and Flowers
Lavender, Mugwort, Vervain, Chamomile, Rose, Honeysuckle, Lily, Oak, Ivy, Yarrow, Fern, Elder, Wild Thyme, Daisy, Carnation.
Incense:
Lemon, Myrrh, Pine, Rose, Wisteria, Lavender, Frankincense.
Woods Burned
Oak
Sacred Gemstone
Emerald and any other green stones.
Colours
Blue, Green, Yellow
Symbols
Seashells, Summer flowers, Summer Fruits, Pot Pourri, Consort Aspect of the God (especially Pan, Cerunnos, Mercury, Thor) and Mother Aspect of the Goddess
Thu Jun 11, 2009 5:19 pm
