Kiran
June 10th, 2010, 08:51 PM
Litha is also known as Midsummers Day or the Summer Solstice and occurs on 21st June this year. During the summer solstice the sun sits highest in the sky. This is the longest day of the year and is traditionally regarded as the beginning of the summer season.
We feel the solar energy pouring down upon the Earth, vitalizing and strengthening us. Even as we revel in the light we prepare for the next season of growth, the return of the dark, as we now move towards winter Solstice.
Ancient peoples in Northern Europe would have celebrated this time by being thankful for the longer days and shorter nights thereby encouraging the crops to grow. Snows were gone making food easier to find and harvest. herbs could be harvested for medicinal and magickal use.
It was also a popular time for weddings as the pagans would have seen this as a time of marriage between heaven and earth....Goddess and God.
It was a time of heightened sexual energy as this is a time for fertility to be celebrated and encouraged.
Many people today think of this as the first day of summer but in reality, Beltane (May 1st) was seen as the first day of summer with the end of summer being in August (Lughnasa) therefore the summer solstice really was mid-summer!
Druids called the midsummer moon (the only full moon in June) the Honey Moon as mead was made from honey and blessed to celebrate weddings during this time.
Today one of the most common rituals is to light a fire (to symbolise Light and Fire of the Sun) and eat and drink and be merry...dancing around a large bonfire is common among pagans today. It is a time of fun, companionship and celebrating Light and the power and energy of the sun.
It is a time to utilise the Light to energise whatever we want to increase the power of. A time for singing and laughing and celebration.
It is a time of male potency, joy and courage. Focus on happiness, strength, confidence, identity and health.This power can be used to tackle seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
This is a good time to make 'sunwater or crystallised water'. Leave a bottle of spring water in sunlight with a clear quartz inside. The water when drunk will re enegise and rebalance the chakras and your energy levels but it can pack a punch so be warned! ;)
A Blessing
May the Light shine on you and all you do.
May the Light shine within you and illuminate you.
May the Mother bless you and keep you
And may the Father watch over and keep you.
Blessings and bounty be yours
and remember always those who have not.
Blessed be and love to you all.
We feel the solar energy pouring down upon the Earth, vitalizing and strengthening us. Even as we revel in the light we prepare for the next season of growth, the return of the dark, as we now move towards winter Solstice.
Ancient peoples in Northern Europe would have celebrated this time by being thankful for the longer days and shorter nights thereby encouraging the crops to grow. Snows were gone making food easier to find and harvest. herbs could be harvested for medicinal and magickal use.
It was also a popular time for weddings as the pagans would have seen this as a time of marriage between heaven and earth....Goddess and God.
It was a time of heightened sexual energy as this is a time for fertility to be celebrated and encouraged.
Many people today think of this as the first day of summer but in reality, Beltane (May 1st) was seen as the first day of summer with the end of summer being in August (Lughnasa) therefore the summer solstice really was mid-summer!
Druids called the midsummer moon (the only full moon in June) the Honey Moon as mead was made from honey and blessed to celebrate weddings during this time.
Today one of the most common rituals is to light a fire (to symbolise Light and Fire of the Sun) and eat and drink and be merry...dancing around a large bonfire is common among pagans today. It is a time of fun, companionship and celebrating Light and the power and energy of the sun.
It is a time to utilise the Light to energise whatever we want to increase the power of. A time for singing and laughing and celebration.
It is a time of male potency, joy and courage. Focus on happiness, strength, confidence, identity and health.This power can be used to tackle seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
This is a good time to make 'sunwater or crystallised water'. Leave a bottle of spring water in sunlight with a clear quartz inside. The water when drunk will re enegise and rebalance the chakras and your energy levels but it can pack a punch so be warned! ;)
A Blessing
May the Light shine on you and all you do.
May the Light shine within you and illuminate you.
May the Mother bless you and keep you
And may the Father watch over and keep you.
Blessings and bounty be yours
and remember always those who have not.
Blessed be and love to you all.