The Midsummer Solstice

Litha, The Summer Solstice , Holidays 2002

This is the longest day and shortest night of the year, and stands exactly opposite the Midwinter Solstice on the Wheel. It marks the turning point from the astrological sign of Gemini into Cancer. It is a celebration of the male principle in nature, the God -- so in folkloric texts we see a lot of sun imagery such as flaming wooden discs, wheels of fire, and flaming hoops being rolled downhill into lakes and streams. People danced around bonfires, and the fires themselves were considered lucky this night, so bits of flaming wood embers were brought home to the family hearth. The heat and full flowering of Summer is at its peak. This holiday marks the Third Planting.

The Midsummer Solstice was honored by Shakespeare in A MIDSUMMERS NIGHT'S DREAM -- and more recently by Woody Allen in his A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S SEX COMEDY. Both scenerios involve the themes of sexual liaisons, identity switches, magic and fairies -- all traditional for this time. The "little folk" are believed to be out dancing on this short night.

Suggested ways to celebrate the Midsummer Solstice: This is a time to nurture our personal crops of all kinds -- already sown but not yet harvested, as well as a time to plant new ones. It is a time to make changes, to reasses, make adjustments and appreciate our accomplishments. In modern gardens, this is still the Third Planting, so it's a good time to plant Fall vegetables. In your celebrations, use seasonal flowers and grasses, and candles.

Excerpted from THE ANCIENT/MODERN WITCH by Marion Weinstein