Summer Solstice

The Summer Solstice ( June 21st ) is upon us.  The Day when the sun is at it's highest point and a time of harvest, fertility and prosperity. A time of celebration called Litha or Midsummer, when bonfires are lit on the Midsummer's Eve and people would sing, dance and perform other rituals, i.e., jumping over bonfires for good luck, spreading the ash over fields for good harvest and throwing herbs, i.e., sage, rosemary, yarrow and sunflower into the fire to release their magic for protection and good health.

Midsummer's Eve was a time magic, when the veil between worlds were at its  thinnest allowing  beasts to roam  and faeries to weave their magic. A time when the herbs and flowers like, marigold, parsley, thyme, thorn, and honeysuckle were at their greatest potency and gathered for the year.

Litha is still conducted today under St. John's Day along with some of its ancient rituals.

Tonight is the Midsummer's Eve, my bonfire will be lit, herbs and flowers will be cast into the flames and its ashes sprinkled on the soil. I will celebrate, embrace the magic of the night, bathe in the scared pond, and await the rising sun of the Solstice.
To all I extend good fortune for the coming year. Hail the Summer Solstice!

For more information, you can read my article, Summer Solstice in the new issue of Renaissance Magazine, Issue # 79 now available at newsstands and book stores.