June 21 -- Summer Solstice -- Litha
Also known as: Alban Heruin (Druidic)

Although the name Litha is not well attested, it may come from Saxon tradition -- the opposite of Yule. On this longest day of the year, light and life are abundant. At mid-summer, the Sun God has reached the moment of his greatest strength. Seated on his greenwood throne, he is also lord of the forests, and his face is seen in church architecture peering from countless foliate masks.

The Christian religion converted this day of Jack-in-the-Green to the Feast of St. John the Baptist, often portraying him in rustic attire, sometimes with horns and cloven feet (like the Greek Demi-God Pan)

Midsummer Night's Eve is also special for adherents of the Faerie faith. The alternative fixed calendar date of June 25 (Old Litha) is sometimes employed by Covens. The name Beltane is sometimes incorrectly assigned to this holiday by some modern traditions of Wicca, even though Beltane is the Gaelic word for May.

Traditional Foods:
Garden fresh fruits and vegetables are made into a variety of dishes and eaten by Pagan's who choose to celebrate this day.

Herbs and Flowers:
Mugwort, Vervain, Chamomile, Rose, Honeysuckle, Lily, Oak, Lavender, Ivy, Yarrow, Fern, Elder, Wild Thyme, Daisy, Carnation.

Incense:
Lemon, Myrrh, Pine, Rose, Wisteria.

Woods Burned:
Oak

Sacred Gemstone:
Emerald

Special Activities:
An Ideal time to reaffirm your vows to the Lord and Lady or your dedication to following the old traditions.

http://www.wicca.com/celtic/akasha/litha.htm


Some Craft Ideas and a few recipes:

http://members.aol.com/ivycleartoes/litha.html

Some Litha Recipes:
http://www.msnusers.com/PaganHearthR...75848309654983

Don't forget honey cakes and cornbread!!!

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oooh i love summer solstice... here are the pix from our camping trip last year, we will be making the same trek this year...



the sun tunnels are amazing... they work both summer and winter solstice... they line up with the sun at sunrise and sunset... beautiful!
More info on the sun tunnels:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...toryId=5500934

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Me: 40
Dh: 25

That is a GORGEOUS pic!
I saw those in your album, I didnt realize you were THERE, hehe, I just thought you added some nifty pics that you enjoyed.
Truly amazing.
you know, it makes me think, that with all the ugliness we see when we turn on the news or look at a newspaper, we need to keep in mind that there is FAR more beauty in the world than people ever realize. It is so much easier to focus on all the dark, scarey, negative things, and people forget that it is all about balance and for all the things out there that arent so great, if people would JUST open their eyes, they would see that there is beauty everywhere.

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i was SO there! what an amazing place!!! this year, we were a couple days CLOSER to the solstice than last year... and the picture shows it!
(sorry for such a late reply... i just barely checked this thread!)

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Me: 40
Dh: 25

I actually ended up doing a dedication ritual for a group member during the day, in the middle of the sun tunnels... it was great... we had the entire place to ourselves until we finished the ritual, and then...
a very large number of cars pulled up!!!

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Me: 40
Dh: 25

Bumping up this thread!
Litha is coming 'round again.
What ways do you celebrate Litha?

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I'm actually going to a few different events to celebrate! I'm going to a local Fairy Ball to celebrate the season. Because the summer is one of the Fae's seasons. Then I'm going to a Tarot Tea Party to celebrate. We each pull a card of the Tarot and dress as the card. Both are lots of fun!! Those are some of our events we have to celebrate the summer solstice!!

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I love that idea of dressing as a Tarot card. That's fantastic!
I am trying to organize something out here, host a ritual, but having a hard time finding a place to hold it.
And now there just seems like so many other things on my mind.
I MUST focus, lol.

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You have more important things to focus on right now...so focus on that. we have time before Litha, and I'll try and help!

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awww.. thanks!
I'm in that limbo state... the "it can go either way"
not that im going to put my life on hold... but yes, its just sumthing that sits in the back of my mind when told to 'take it easy'
I know though that the divine works as she means to, and whatever is meant to be will be...
So, i need to find a place to hold it, my home has a nice enough yard but not at ALL private, lol....

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Haha..yea, it sometimes is hard to find the right PRIVATE location! We have a great space we found down here that we love to go to. It's out in the woods, which is open to the public, but in an area where every few if any people go. Then wayyyyyy back is a very old private small family cemetary..very special place..and around it is a natural clearing..GREAT ENERGY!!!!!

Also..how are you doing????

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I'm doing pretty good thanks
First prenatal tomorrow.

I think we will use Litha for some cleansing... sun being at it's peak...
take some herbs, something that helps with negative energy like angelica root, put our negative thoughts/energy into it, cast it into the cauldron and then chant and jump the cauldron....
Something simple....
Maybe a re-dedication of our path as well, using the water aspect, as balance.
If all else fails, hubby and i will just do it on our own. Or join in the bigger west coast group that we spent Beltaine with.
Goddess is in storm mode today, hehe... sky is grey, wind is blowing.
What a truly beautiful sight though.
Watching the trees dancing....
Some times, days like this are even more beautiful that the sunny serene ones.

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