June 21 Summer Solstice
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.celticwicca.com/lore_litha.htm
LITHA RECIPES
Litha Incense
4 parts myrrh
3 parts frankincense
3 parts oak bark
2 parts witch hazel
Litha Incense
1/2 part mugwort
1/2 part vervain
1 part St. Johnswort
1/2 part frankincense
1/4 part mistletoe
1/4 part bay
Midsummer Incense
2 parts sandalwood
1 part mugwort
1 part chamomile
1 part gardenia petals
few drops rose oil
few drops lavender oil
few drops yarrow oil
Midsummer Incense #2
3 parts frankincense
2 parts benzoin
1 part dragon's blood
1 part thyme
1 part rosemary
1 pinch vervain
few drops red wine
Litha Oil
4 drops lavender
3 drops rosemary
1 drop pine
Use sunflower oil as base
Midsummer Potpourri
1 cup oakmoss
2 cups dried lavender
2 cups wisteria
2 cups verbena
25 drops lavender oil
(or lemon oil)
Midsummer Incense #1:
Recipe by Scott Cunningham
2 parts Sandalwood
1 part Mugwort
1 part Chamomile
1 part Gardenia Petals
a few drops Rose Oil
a few drops Lavender Oil
a few drops Yarrow Oil
Burn at Wiccan rituals at the Summer Solstice (circa June 21st) or at that time to attune with the seasons and the Sun.
Midsummer Incense #2:
Recipe by Scott Cunningham
3 parts Frankincense
2 parts Benzoin
1 part Dragon's Blood
1 part Thyme
1 part Rosemary
1 pinch Vervain
a few drops Red Wine
Another like the above.
(Both of the above recipes for "Midsummer Incense #1 and #2" are quoted directly from Scott Cunningham's book "The Complete Book of Incenses, Oils & Brews", page 80, Llewellyn Publications, 1989/1992.)
Summer Solstice Ritual Potpourri
Recipe by Gerina Dunwich
45 drops Lemon or Lavender Oil
1 cup Oak Moss
2 cups Dried Lavender
2 cups Dried Wisteria
2 cups Dried Verbena
Mix the lemon or lavender oil with the oak moss, and then add the remaining ingredients. Stir the potpourri well and store in a tightly covered ceramic or glass container.
(The above recipe for "Summer Solstice Ritual Potpourri" is quoted directly from Gerina Dunwich's book "The Wicca Spellbook: A Witch's Collection of Wiccan Spells, Potions and Recipes", page 162, A Citadel Press Book, Carol Publishing Group, 1994/1995)
Summer Solstice Association Chart
Submitted By: Lana Parker
Traditional Pagan Foods of Summer Solstice:
Fresh vegetables, summer fruits, pumpernickel bread, ale, and mead.
Traditional Ritual Herbs of Summer Solstice:
chamomile, cinquefoil, elder, fennel, hemp, larkspur, lavender, male fern, mugwort, pine, roses, Saint John's wort, wild thyme, wisteria, and verbena.
Summer Solstice Altar Decorations:
summertime flowers, love amulets, seashells, aromatic potpourri, summer fruits.
Summer Solstice Incense:
frankincense, lemon, myrrh, pine, rose, and wisteria.
Sacred Summer Solstice Gemstones:
all green gemstones, especially emerald and jade.
Summer Solstice Deities:
Aphrodite, Astarte, Freya, Hathor, Ishtar, Venus, and other goddesses
who preside over love, passion, and beauty.
Summer Solstice Candle Colors:
blue, green, and yellow
Summer Solstice Correspondences
Symbols: Sun, Fire, Balefire, Faeries, Mistletoe, Oak trees
Colors: Green, Gold, Blue, Tan
Gods: Father Gods, Sun Gods, Puck, Pan
Goddesses: Mother Goddesses, pregnant Goddesses, Sun Goddesses
Animals: Birds, such as Robin, Wren, Horses, Cattle
Mythical Creatures: Faeries, Satyrs, Nymphs, Sprites, Dragon, Firebird, Thunderbird, Manticore
Food: Summer greens, Summer fruit, Summer Vegetables, Squash
Beverages: Apple cider ,Mead, Ale, Wines, Teas such as Angelica,
Catnip, Indian Hyppo, Sage and Valerian
Plants: Oak, Mistletoe, St.John`s Wort, Vervain, Lavender, Frankincense, Rose, Fern, Sunflower, summer flowers
Oils: Basil, Clove, Camphor, Frankincense, Yarrow, Ylang-Ylang
Stones and Gems: Emerald, Lapis Lazuli, Yiger`s Eye, Diamond, Jade
Songs: Dalen Gwyr (Green Leave), an ancient fertility song, over time it has become known as Green Sleeves.
Time / Hour: Dusk, Eve