Summer Solstice also called Litha or Alban Hefin takes places on Saturday 20th June this year and just like the Winter Solstice, marks a still point in the turning of the wheel of the year. Summer Solstice this year is interesting because it takes place on the same day as the Dark moon which creates this juxtaposition between the peak of the wheel of the year and the darkest point of the lunar cycle. At this point in the year the days are at their longest and from this point onwards the days will begin to decrease in length. Many people confuse Summer Solstice with the start of Summer but remember, Beltane is actually the beginning of Summer and Litha is Summer at its peak in terms of the position of the sun which is now at it's highest point. If we were to liken the wheel of the year to the phases of the moon Litha would be the Full Moon. We understand that after the full moon, the lunar energy wanes as the moon makes her way back to New Moon and it's the same with Litha, after Solstice, the energy will subtly shift to waning as we make our way towards the first Autumn festival in August. If you have been working with setting intentions and manifesting along with the wheel of the year then Litha is your time to enjoy the fruits of your labour. Litha's mirror point on the wheel of the year is Yule - the Winter solstice - so its also really nice to look back at the intentions you made at Yule and reflect on the year so far. I think we can all acknowledge that the year has definitely not gone according to plan. Who could have even imagined as we slumbered through the winter months what was awaiting us in the new year. In your journal, make a note of how you have adapted to all this change and any blessings you've been able to find during these strange and uncertain times. Look ahead to the Winter Solstice this year and make a note of any wishes, goals, intentions you have for the rest of the year. Summer Solstice is time to let your hair down and connect to one of its main themes - joy! In your journal, dedicate a whole page to the word JOY - what does it mean to you? What is your joy? And how can you make room in your life for more of it. Do the same with the word PLAY and WHIMSY. Really sit with these words and how they make you feel. What would life look like if you followed your whimsy? How often do you surrender to playfulness? Summer Solstice would have been another time where people would have gathered in celebration and merriment, and whilst we can't yet host or attend large gatherings you might like to host a small garden party to honour Litha. You could decorate your garden with festival bunting and fairy lights and create little sections for people to sit in and keep the appropriate distance. Or you could decorate your house for Litha and host an online solstice party if it looks like the weather is likely to scupper your plans. LITHA THEMES: abundance, gratitude, celebration, illumination, joy, magic, play, whimsy, merriment, community, motherhood, radiance AwenSummer Solstice is one of the three spirit nights of the wheel of the year, where the veil between worlds thins. The other two are Samhain and Beltane. This means it's another opportunity to connect with the Fae and with the elemental realm. There are many tales of folk who journeyed to the land of the Fae during Summer Solstice and returned with inspiration - the druid word for inspiration is Awen and features in much of Druid folklore. Fairies are known to grant wishes and bless projects at this time of year so be sure to leave them offerings and engage in activities that delight them like looking after the environment and caring for wildlife. AbundanceContinuing on from the abundance we celebrated at Beltane with Spring in full bloom, now we see summer in full bloom and can bathe in the abundance of nature. The days are long, the hedgerows are full of wild flowers and our own energy is at it's peak. Now is the time to really be in the moment and catch the joy as it flies - so many people say how quickly summer goes and sometimes the reason for that is that we don't mentally show up for it. We as human have such a habit of dwelling in the past or the unknown events of the future - at a time such as this when the future is so unknown it's so important to stay in the moment and treat each day as though it is the most precious thing in the world...because it is! Summer Solstice is a wonderful time to dedicate yourself to a daily gratitude practice, you might want to do this in the morning or last thing at night before you go to bed. Each day write down at least one thing that you are grateful for. Ask yourself each day, what was there an abundance of today? It could be - today there was an abundance of sunshine. Today there was an abundance of rain which has nourished the plants. Today there was an abundance of connection as I chatted to a few friends on the phone etc. Harnessing the power of the SunThe sun is the Yang to the Moon's Yin - it is action, creation, power and sustenance. The element of the Sun is fire - fire is creativity, passion, transformation, will, motivation, and is associated with the Solar Plexus Chakra - the seat of self. Reflect upon your goals and intentions and ask yourself where you need some more of this fire? Where needs more power and action? The Solar Plexus chakra is all about our self worth, self confidence and sense of empowerment. Ask yourself what fears or self limiting beliefs might be holding you back from going after the things you want. Summer DrinksDIY COLD BREW TEA Cold Brew tea is so simple to make and is a wonderful way to connect to the herbs/flowers in your garden whilst providing a refreshing beverage on those hot Summer days. You can either use fresh herbs from your garden such as mint, lemon balm or lavender and place the herbs in a jar or glass bottle filled with water and place in the fridge to brew or you can use any type of tea (loose leaf or bag) and simply add to the water. This is a different experience to boiling the water and steeping the tea and creates a much more subtle flavour. Leave the tea in the fridge overnight and it will subtly infuse with your herbs. All you need to do then is sieve out the herbs and serve in a jug with fruit slices! You can actually buy special cold brew tea making vessels such as this one: HARIO COLD BREW TEA BOTTLE SPA WATER This is a similar concept to the cold brew tea in that you are simply infusing your water with the subtle taste of the fruit as opposed to a smoothie where you're blending the fruit to drink. Grab a jug of water and then add whatever fruit and herbs you feel called to. Here are some combinations to try: Fresh mint, cucumber and lime slices Lemon slices with cucumber Rosemary sprigs with orange slices Mixed berries with rose petals Lavender sprigs (or dried lavender) with fresh mint Just make sure the fruit and herbs are clean before adding them to the water. LAVENDER & PEPPERMINT ICED TEA Boil the kettle and add a teaspoon each of dried lavender petals and loose leaf peppermint tea to a pot and add a splash of cold water to cover the herbs so as not to scold them with the hot water. Pour over the water from the kettle once boiled and leave to brew for 10 minutes. After 10 mins strain out the herbs and leave to cool down. Once cool, transfer the tea to a bottle or jug that's suitable to go in the fridge and leave in the fridge overnight. Serve the next day and enjoy a cooling and refreshing iced tea! Litha GoddessesAineAine is the Irish Goddess associated with Summer as she is known to be a Sun Goddess. She is also referred to as Faery Goddess or Faery Queen and is linked to midsummer, wealth, joy and sovereignty. GreineGreine is another Irish Sun Goddess who watches over agriculture and is associated with fertility and love. Like Aine, she is associated with the Archetype of the mother and is often referred to as the mother of all women. GaiaWho better to connect with at this time of year than Gaia - our glorious mother earth. Summer Solstice is a wonderful to make offerings to Gaia as well as give thanks for all of her gifts! SekhmetSekhmet is an ancient Egyptian fire Goddess associated with the Sun. She is both Protectress and Destroyer and is associated with healing, war, power and righteous anger! TapatiTapati is a Hindu Mother Goddess and is daughter of Surya, the Sun God. Her name means 'warming' and she bestows heat upon the land. She is also a Goddess of wisdom, knowledge and devotion. Create a Litha AltarCreating an altar for Summer Solstice is such a joy because you can really go for it with the abundance theme. Decorate your altar with freshly cut flowers and herbs from your garden and images of the Sun and Solar Goddesses. You might also like to add images, poems and words that help you to connect with being in the moment and keeping joy alive over the next few months. We would love to see your Litha altars! For some inspiration, here is our pinterest board: Litha Herbs, Crystals & Essential OilsHERBS: Vervain, St John's Wort, Elderflowers, Dandelion, Rose, Honeysuckle, Yarrow
CRYSTALS: Citrine, Carnelian, Fire Agate, Jade, Fuchsite ESSENTIAL OILS: Bergamot, Lavender, Wild Rose, Wild Orange Starchild Glastonbury do a wonderful Summer Solstice aromatherapy blend which you can view here. Wishing you a blessed Litha dearest sisters!
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