#Deity of Summer

[dionysianivy]

𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐚

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What is Litha?

Litha is a solar festival celebrated between June 20th and 22nd in the Northern Hemisphere, and around December 20th to 22nd in the Southern Hemisphere. It marks the summer solstice, the longest day of the year and the moment when the sun reaches its peak power. Traditionally, Litha honors the height of light, the fullness of life, and the abundance offered by the Earth in bloom. It is the midpoint of the Wheel of the Year, when nature is at its most alive: fields are green, flowers are open, fruit begins to ripen, and warmth fills every corner. Litha celebrates vitality, strength, joy, and the energy of the sun at its zenith. Fires are lit in its honor, herbs are gathered, and the power of manifestation is strong. Yet, within this brightness lies a quiet turning point, from this day forward, the light will begin to wane. Litha carries both celebration and awareness: the joy of what has flourished, and that all things are cyclical, Now it’s a great time to reflect on personal radiance, express gratitude and to honor the sun and all solar deities.

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History of Litha

The name Litha comes from Anglo-Saxon sources and was recorded by Bede as the name of the months around midsummer. However, the solstice has been celebrated across many cultures for thousands of years. In Celtic lands, midsummer was a sacred time when druids lit bonfires on hilltops to honour the sun and support the fertility of the land. Sacred herbs were gathered at dawn, believed to be especially powerful when infused with the longest light of the year. In ancient Rome, this period was dedicated to Juno, goddess of marriage and women, and to Vesta, the goddess of the hearth fire. Her temple was opened to women, and offerings of grain were made to ensure household blessings. In ancient Greece, midsummer was connected to Hera, Aphrodite, and it was also believed that Prometheus stole the fire from the chariot of the sun and gifted it to humanity at this time. In ancient China, the summer solstice was linked to yin, feminine, earthly energy, in balance with the winter solstice, which represented yang. ⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠄⠄⠂⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁

Litha and the Faerie Folk

Midsummer is also a time when the faerie realm is believed to be especially active. Just like Beltane, Litha is considered a liminal time, when the veil between worlds grows thin and the unseen becomes just a little more visible. In Celtic folklore, the fae wander freely during the solstice, drawn to beauty, music, laughter, and offerings left in nature. People once left milk, honey, or bread under sacred trees, near springs, or in gardens to honour them and ask for protection or blessings. Wildflowers and oak groves are especially associated with faerie energy at this time, and some believe that in the shimmer of heat on the solstice horizon, you can sense the opening of other realms: Avalon, Tir na nÓg, the Land of Youth. It’s believed that faeries hold their grand celebrations within mystical faerie rings. These circles, often found in grassy meadows or forest clearings, are thought to mark the dancing spots of faeries. To honor these elemental spirits, offerings of honey, butter, or creamy milk are left in the hopes of gaining faerie favor. (source)

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Midsummer Herb Ritual

Litha is also traditionally a time for harvesting herbs used in potions, elixirs, and spells, a moment long held sacred in magical practice. Since ancient times, it has been believed that when the sun is at its peak and the earth is overflowing with life, the bond between plants and those who work with them grows especially strong. Witches, healers, druids, and others in tune with the land’s rhythms would venture out to gather herbs with deep care, following the natural flow of the day. Some plants were picked at dawn, others at noon, some at sunset, and a few in the gentle quiet of late afternoon. They used small blades, sometimes curved or shaped like serpents, and approached the task slowly, with reverence. Before cutting, they would sit with the plant in stillness, offering a soft prayer or moment of presence. Only a small amount was taken, never more than needed, always leaving enough so the plant could continue to grow and thrive. Gratitude was at the heart of the act, gratitude for the plant, for the living earth, and for the unseen spirits watching over the wild. The herbs gathered during Litha were believed to be especially potent. Little was required. Just sunlight, clear intention, and a respectful hand. Many flowers are linked to this time of year, but the most well-known is St. John’s Wort, valued for its protective and healing properties. Roses, in every color, are also deeply connected to Litha, representing love, passion, and the fullness of life under the midsummer sun.

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The Rise of the Holly King

The myth of the Oak King and the Holly King is often told to explain the shifting balance of light and dark throughout the year. The Oak King rules from the winter solstice to the summer solstice, he is the spirit of the waxing year, of expanding daylight, growth, and vitality. He represents the rising power of the sun and the energy that brings life back to the land. But at Litha, when the light reaches its peak, his brother, the Holly King, returns. The Holly King rules from the summer solstice to Yule, guiding the year into the waning half. He is the spirit of stillness, reflection, and retreat. Their meeting is not a violent battle, but a symbolic shift, one steps back so the other may rise. This story reminds us that light and dark are both sacred, and that every high point contains the seed of return. Just like the sun, we too rise, peak, rest, and begin again.

Litha and Goddess Áine

Áine is a Celtic goddess very closely associated with Litha. is the Celtic Goddess of Midsummer and Queen of the Faeries, deeply tied to both the light of the sun and the mystery of the fae. As a solar deity, she is honored during Midsummer celebrations, being associated with summer, love, protection, fertility, wealth, and sovereignty. On the eve of the 23rd, just after the solstice, people used to gather on Cnoc Áine, where she was said to dwell. They would light bunches of straw and hay tied to poles. These poles were then carried in procession to the top of the hill. Later, people would run with the flames through their fields and between the cattle to bring good luck for the rest of the year. Áine is also connected to horses, animals considered sacred and symbolic of midsummer in Irish tradition. It was said that she could take the form of a red mare named Lair Derg and ride through the fields during the solstice, blessing the land with fertility and magic. Offerings to Áine might include flowers, honey mead, and horseshoes.

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Magic Correspondences

Planets: Sun

Season: Summer

Element: Earth, Fire

Time Of The Day: Noon (when the Sun is at its highest)

Tarot Cards: The Sun, The Empress, The Wheel Of Fortune, 9 Of Cups, The Emperor, The Strength

Colors: Yellow, Orange, Green, Blue, Gold, Red

Herbs: Fennel, Ivy, Yarrow, Verbena, Mugwort, Sage, Mint, Basil, Clove, Thyme

Fruits: Cherry, Raspberry, Peach, Strawberry, Berries, Pineapple, Orange, Apricot, Nectarines

Vegetables: Spinach, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Carrots

Crystals: Jade, Carnelian, Peridot, Citrine, Tiger’s Eye, Sunstone

Runes: Kenaz, Fehu, Ehwaz, Sowilo

Trees: Oak, Birch, Elder, Linden

Goddesses: Brigid, Hel, Amaterasu, Hestia, Juno, Hera, Aphrodite, Áine, Freyja, Bastet, Hathor, Sunna, Flora, Vesta

Gods: Apollo, Helios, Lugh, Baldur, Ra, Zeus, Horus, Dionysus, Aten, Loki, Jupiter, Thor, Cernunnos

Dragons: Fafnir

Flowers: Daisy, St. John’s Wort, Rose, Lavender, Sunflower, Poppy, Calendula, Honeysuckle, Foxglove, Chamomile, Marigold, Jasmine, Peony

Animals: Horse, Bee, Butterfly, Lion, Wren, Moth, Bull, Cow, Hawk, Lizard, Donkey, Hawks, Eagles, Swans

Magical Powers: Good Energy, Solar Magick, Confidence, Healing, Love, Power, Warmth, Success, Fire Magick, Fertility

Symbols: Birch, Sun, Horseshoe, Flower, Butterfly, Summer Birds, Sea Shells, Sun Wheel, Bonfire, St. John’s Wort, Faerie Rings, Roses, Oak, Spiral

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Activities to Do:

☀️ Read A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare

☀️ Take a bath with rose petals or rose essential oil

☀️ Swim on this day to honor both the water and fire elements

☀️ Drink St. John's Wort tea (⚠️Just a quick warning: consuming St. John's Wort while on certain medications, like antidepressants or some painkillers, can trigger serotonin syndrome, which is a serious and painful condition. So make sure to check first or skip it if you're unsure.)

☀️ Craft faerie houses in your garden

☀️ Meditate while lying in the grass, letting the sun touch your skin

☀️ Bake a honey cake for the sabbat

☀️ Go camping to connect with nature

☀️ Craft a homemade sundial

☀️ Leave offerings for the faerie folk

☀️ Create a Litha altar

☀️ Make a flower wreath or crown

☀️ Honor solar deities

☀️ Dance around a Birch tree

☀️ Wear bright colors (yellow, orange, green, blue) to reflect solar energy

☀️ Make lavender lemonade

☀️ Spend time in the sun (don’t forget sunscreen!)

☀️ Do a tarot reading outdoors

☀️ Read poetry in nature

☀️ Host a garden party or BBQ

☀️ Make a Litha magick jar

☀️ Watch the sunset or sunrise from a peaceful place

☀️ Water your garden with intention

☀️ Leave water bowls outside for animals

☀️ Dance around a bonfire at dusk

☀️ Eat fresh fruits in celebration of the season

☀️ Meditate outdoors and ground yourself in the sun’s energy

☀️ Bake sun-shaped cake or bread

☀️ Make a fruit and veggie salad

☀️ Cleanse your crystals in the sunlight

☀️ Leave seeds out for the birds

☀️ Plant trees or herbs in your garden

☀️ Make sun tea by infusing herbs in a jar under the sun

☀️ Hang a horseshoe on your door for luck and protection

☀️ Create a sun catcher

☀️ Spend time outside with your pets

☀️ Make sun water

☀️ Eat honey

☀️ Host a mini gather with loved ones

☀️ Learn about sea witchcraft

☀️ Do your makeup, nails, or outfit in festive Litha colors

☀️ Go collect seashells if you live near a beach

☀️ Draw the sun wheel symbol and place it on your altar

☀️ Bake sun shaped cookies

☀️ Collect flowers and place them on your altar

☀️ Read about solar deities and their myths

☀️ Make lemonade with herbs or edible flowers

☀️ Reconnect with your inner child: play, dance, read, do activities you loved as a kid

☀️ Make a daisy chain

☀️ Set intentions at sunset for the rest of the year (until Yule)

☀️ Craft a sun wheel

☀️ Honor the sun through rituals

☀️ Harvest herbs from your garden

☀️ Start a herbarium

☀️ Research about draconic magick, dragons resonate with Litha’s fire energy

☀️ Have a picnic at noon to soak in the sun’s peak

☀️ Get yellow or orange candles and inscribe them with runes or sigils

☀️ Engage in gardening and connect to the Earth

☀️ Practice a solar plexus chakra meditation

☀️ Perform spells for confidence, personal power, and abundance

☀️ Visit a botanical garden

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Food and Drinks:

Grilled veggies, grilled chicken with rice, barbecued or flame-grilled food, honey cakes, honey, lavender cheesecake, lemonades, orange juice, summer salads, croissants with jam, bread and pastries, cakes with edible flowers, mead, sun tea, mint tea, spiced punch, rum, ale, wine, milk (for the faeries), strawberries, raspberries, peaches, oranges, lemons, pears, grapes, summer squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, butternut squash, carrot cupcakes, tomato soup, mushroom appetizers, spicy foods, curries, spiced cakes, cinnamon toast, pumpernickel bread, bread with grapes, white bread, potato salad, pasta salad, rice salad, strawberry tart, raspberry tart, leafy green vegetables, spinach, basil, thyme, sunflower seeds, pine nuts.

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sources: Midsummer: Rituals, Recipes & Lore for Litha (Llewellyn's Sabbat Essentials, 3); Midsummer: Magical Celebrations of the Summer Solstice by Anna Franklin; Magie Blanche by Eric-Pier Sperandio; https://thebusypagan.com/pagan-holidays/litha/

[jul-0v0]

Summer Solstice

(late post :>

[margaretkart]

Heat of the summer 🏝️

[hellenichellraisers]

⋆｡˚✴︎⋆˖ ݁ 𖥔.☀️.𖥔 ݁ ˖⋆✴︎˚｡⋆

Offering to Lord Apollon for the Summer Solstice

⋆｡˚✴︎⋆˖ ݁ 𖥔.☀️.𖥔 ݁ ˖⋆✴︎˚｡⋆

Credits: hellenichellraisers (Corvid)

[folkwitchoftheeast]

𝔖𝔲𝔪𝔪𝔢𝔯 𝔖𝔬𝔩𝔠𝔱𝔦𝔠𝔢 | 𝔏𝔦𝔱𝔥𝔞

𝔉𝔬𝔯𝔨 𝔚𝔦𝔱𝔠𝔥 𝔒𝔣 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔈𝔞𝔰𝔱

[cursecuelebre]

All about Lord Freyr

I thought about making a post dedicated to Lord Freyr since the summer solstice is coming so I figure why not. Norse paganism we would celebrate Midsummer with maypoles and flowers and games and parties.

Attributes

Peace

Fertility (especially with men)

Agriculture/Nature

Sunlight

Rain

Prosperity

Harvest

Good weather

Symbols

Summer sword (his sword)

Antlers

Boar

A ship

Sunlight through clouds

Flowers or vegetation

Horses

Offerings

Mead but any alcohol can work like wine

Flowers, flower crowns, flower wreaths

Trees or any kind of vegetation

Vegetables

Horse items (doesn’t have to be real)

Pork

Sun imagery

Fruits

Sweet foods

He is often associated with LGBTQ+ so maybe donating to LGBTQ+ organizations or maybe give rainbows to him as well. It’s modern but quite a few people have associated him with homosexuality especially with gay men. But to clarify Freyr isn’t homosexual he has a female spouse

Greenman imagery or Horned God

Different Names: Freyr, Frey both means “Lord” and Frö, Ing, Ingvi, Yngvi, or Ing Freá it’s said to be an earlier name of Freyr. King of Alfaheim and Prince of Elves or King of Elves.

Runes:

Ing

Fehu

Jera

Tarot:

The Sun

Fool

Wheel of Fortune

Ten of Cups

Ace of Pentacles

King of Pentacles

General Information

Freyr is an interesting god and quite popular in Norse paganism, he is part of the Vanir tribe of gods, twin brother of Freyja, his father is Njord. His wife is called Gerðr or Gerthr and marries her due to quite unfortunate circumstances when he falls in love with her he asks his servant Skírnir to convince Gerðr to marry Freyr, Freyr offers his sword to Skírnir which makes Freyr fight with just a pair of antlers of a stag. Upon being threatened into marrying Freyr by Skírnir Greðr does end up falling in love with Freyr and they have one son named Fjollnir. He rules Alfheimr the realm of the elves as the Lord of the Elves, the Elves are said to bless crops and fields as well. Freyr is considered to be the noblest of Gods rules over rain and sunshine, oversees the prosperity of mankind, and brings good harvests and peace.

Now here’s an interesting thing about Freyr he was worshipped in Sweden in Uppsala where a temple was dedicated to him along with Thor and Odin. But it’s said the dynasty of Swedish royalty started when Freyr being the king of Sweden called the Yngling Kings as Freyr their ancestor. Freyr has a ship that can be folded and put it into his pocket it’s called Skíðblaðnir and his boar named Gullinborsti like how Freya is associated with swine as well as a symbol of fertility kinda how the Greeks saw bulls being associated with male fertility. Horses were considered to link to Freyr maybe as a sign of fertility but Horses are extremely important in agriculture like plowing the fields and transportation, there has been horse sacrifices to Freyr. If you saw the movie “The Northman” it really focuses on Freyr and his role in old Norse society and connections to fertility. One of the rituals being documented was having an wooden idol of Freyr on a chariot along with his priestesses blessing crops for good harvest.

He can be compared to such as Dionysus in some aspects of being an agricultural and nature god and links to male fertility.

[starlight-sage]

Totally forgot about the hemisphere thing for the solstices so I’m making separate post now - HAPPY SUMMER SOLSTICE to all of yall in the southern hemisphere

Enjoy the good vibes and sunshine ☀️

[leosuntaurusmoon]

Thanked Lady Hestia for all the comfort & joy she brings me and partner in our safe spaces 🤍 cleansed her space by wiping it down and burning some cinnamon incense. Prayed praising her and asking for protection. She showed me one card with my oracle deck and I will be focusing on how home is were your heart is and to have faith in signs and to trust in the gods.

Happy Summer Solstice Happy Litha 🤍☀️

[the-mortuary-witch]

Blessed Litha to the Northern witches (and blessed Yule to the Southern witches). This is my first Litha, and I am planning on giving some offerings to Freyja and Aphrodite since they’re both associated with this Sabbat. Along with spending some time outside, mainly harvesting the strawberries I’ve grown, since it’s finally summer.

[dionysianivy]

Happy Litha ☀️🦋💐🧚‍♀️

Yesterday was pretty full for me, both academically and emotionally, but I still managed to set up an altar and also prepare offerings and a meal for my deities, for goddess Áine, and of course, for the Sun 🌼 The altar is pretty basic, but I tried to include as many elements as possible that connect me to abundance, fertility, and the warmth of the season. For the meal I prepared some seasonal fruits and veggies, salami, sausages, and cheese for my deities, apple & raspberry juice, and also a banana chia seed smoothie :D I honored and also I ate with Áine, Brigid, Hermes, and my lord Dionysus, and I also did some candle magick ♡ I didn’t manage to do anything too fancy, but luckily Litha lasts the whole weekend, and I’ll try to connect more with the sun by going outside, spending time and meditating in nature, and hopefully I’ll manage to make a special Litha magick jar.

I woke up super early today to head to my cottage and celebrate it properly, and I really hope I’ll have a good time. I'm wearing a carnelian necklace and I have a yellow top to connect deeply with the fire element 🌅 Also, I bought this flower two days ago especially for Litha and I love it. ♡♡⚘

I hope each of you is spending Litha the way you want to, and even if not, don’t forget you still have time today and tomorrow. My first day was pretty shitty, but I really hope the weekend will be a bit more kind to me, at least emotionally. Also, I plan to watch the sunset, leave offerings in nature for the faeries, eat ice cream, and water my garden 🍓🌳🌸🧚‍♀️

[herdove]

Summer Solstice is nearing!

For those hearing about it for the first time: summer solstice is the longest day of the year! There's a scientific explanation for that, which I will not get into ... but anyways! There are two summer solstices in a year: once in southern hemisphere (around june 20-21), and once the northern hemisphere (around december 21). Just googling "summer solstice" should show which day it falls on for you specifically. (This also means that, even if it's nearing for me, it might still be all the way in december for you.)

Besides being the longest day, it also marks the official beginning of the summer! While it was celebrated by ancient Greeks, it's not specifically a Hellenic holiday. It is, however, still celebrated / marked as an important day by lots of polytheists (and other practicers / believers)! But in the end it's up to you really, whether you wanna do something special for it or not.

Since it's not a Hellenic holiday, it also does not have a Deity connected to it. Which means, it's completely up to you on who you think is or could be associated with it! Perhaps you find that multiple Gods are associated with it, and if so, you could focus on Them all that day! Or only one, whatever feels more right.

You could spend the day meditating, making offerings and libation, writing prayers or poems, listening to playlists specifically make for said God(s), ect! If you're unsure what to do, you could also google offering ideas and such online.

Unfortunally I have an exam monday so I won't be able to spend the day focused on summer solstice (I've got to study all day), but this will be my first summer solstice as a Hellenic Pagan, sooo I will try to make an offering to Aphrodite and perhaps Selene or Apollon!

[feng-huli]

Between cold and warmth

[sylviaplathreincarnate]

Happy Summer Solstice!!!

[margaretkart]

Dionysus and Ariadne: being already married for centuries

Dionysus: still being love struck by her 💘

[ancat-dubh]

in some ways my least Magically Eventful TM summer solstice for years but also: my body simply needed a day at home! Feel like this past 2-3 weeks I've felt the season shift really start to happen in my body alongside the weather picking up; I've been resetting the wardrobe, picking back up yoga and exploring new parts of the forest north of the city, prioritising just letting magic settle and move in my body rather than big ambitious workings or trying to push it too hard with sex/kink rehab (I am trying but, slowly does it, ugh ugh). I've been in a period of big, deep breakup/disability grief processing + insecure housing curveballs, which for me usually shows up as big stomach upset and a big ol food + sleep deficit – felt good and right that Midsummer was the most cooking and eating I've been able to do for myself (and actually enjoy) in one day for months. And High Midsummer Week to come!

I made:

Bacstaí for an Irish breakfast, my first time cooking with potatoes I grew! myself! in ancestral collaboration with my great-granddad, honouring my diasporic Irish relatives. I ask his son, my grandpa, for advice about growing and harvesting, which feels like sneaky backdoor but v satisfying ancestor work. And these slapped – going to make a big batch of batter in a few weeks once the full harvest is ready.

Libum, ancient Roman honey cake/baked ricotta used for offerings. Slowly feeling my way into relationship with an aspect of Dionysus I suspect is specific to my city, which makes him Roman by origin – he's been a lot of things since, but a decadent sloppy honey cake felt right on the day on my new ancestral-faggots-of-the-city altar. Going to experiment with this recipe (added a lil splash of pomegranate molasses, might add some cinnamon and nutmeg) but it's gorgeous and v easy to make.

Rocket-and-spinach-from-the-garden + Tesco avocado salad with a vinagrette dressing made with the tail end of @thegodwhocums' autumnal fire cider recipe

Big ol satisfying pork bolognese I picked one of the hottest days of the year so far to slow-cook in my tiny kitchen, had to go out for an evening wander to catch my breath after but ate it under the stars in my garden to the gorgeous lazy smell of my late-night tobacco plant.

Happy Midsummer bbz! Let me know what you got up to!