#litha 2018

[santapau]

In Chilean tradition, the night of June 23 is the "Noche de San Juan" (Saint John’s Eve) One of the magical traditions associated with this date is the belief that you can instantly learn to play the guitar if you sit under a fig tree -aided by the devil.

[ms-m-astrologer]

Litha 2018

June 21, 2018, 10:07 UT Chart erected for Washington, DC

As is now customary (for this year anyway), here is what astrologer Steven Forrest had to say in The Book of the Moon:

The term “Midsummer,” the common name for this ancient holiday, often confuses people. For us in the modern world, the Summer Solstice represents the beginning of summer, not the middle of it. The reason behind the confusion is simple, if little understood. Traditionally among the Celts what was called “summer” actually began with the warmth of Beltane in early May, peaked at the Summer Solstice, and came to end in early August with the feast of Lammas. The rest of the seasons were similarly skewed, peaking when we now see them as beginning. Thus, to the Celts, “Midsummer” was actually the middle of summer.

Days are at their longest. The weather is clement. Food is plentiful. Life seems to want to take good care of us. “Summertime - and the living is easy,” as George Gershwin put it in Porgy and Bess. “Fish are jumping and the cotton is high.” Bonfires were traditionally lit at the highest points of various districts - hilltops and promontories - to celebrate and embody the life-giving heights which the Sun itself has reached. It is no accident that this holiday was linked to the nurturing Great Mother, called Cerridwen among the Celtic tribes. Fairs were held; social life reached a crescendo. At Midsummer, we were fully engaged in life and the world. With social culture purring along, people traveling to fairs and festivals, commerce occurring, folks dancing, theater and music stimulating the imagination, relationships forming - what happens? Fun, certainly! And plenty of drama and complexity, too. Just think back to the senior prom at your high school - a ritual we typically celebrate between Beltane and Midsummer, and which reflects the same archetypes. Around the prom, there is excitement certainly, but also tears, rejections, drama, social jockeying, concern with status, and enmeshment in situations that seem to develop their own irresistible momentum. Welcome to Midsummer.

There’s a lot going on in this chart. Our first focus must be the Sun, and we see it’s part of a cardinal t-square: Sun/Cancer opposite Saturn Rx/Capricorn (and true Black Moon Lilith), both squared by Chiron/Aries. The opposition means we need to go over our Saturn/Capricorn checklist:

Cultivate self-reliance and self-validation

Take the longer term view

Face reality

Pass the tests of power

Chances are that we’ve all discovered some need for healing (the Chiron part) during this process. It isn’t easy, nor is it pain-free. Uranus/Taurus offers a way out for the opposition’s tension, urging us to re-connect with Mother Earth. We can also use positive Libra traits, as Libra is the missing piece which keeps this a t-square and not a grand cross. And note that Libra is a Venus sign, too, as is Taurus. Venus herself is on the Leo North Node. More love, less score-keeping, this summer.

We also have a kite formation: a grand water trine between Mercury and Pallas in Cancer, Jupiter Rx in Scorpio, and Neptune Rx in Pisces; with Pluto Rx/Capricorn providing the focal point. That grand trine energy is placing a huge emphasis on learning and communication! But with water, the emphasis is on emotions. Although this may influence us to withdraw into our inner worlds, we could also use to strengthen our empathy and our connections to each other. It’s also wonderful for creative people who work with fantasy. The Moon in Libra could hinder us a bit, making us more given to keeping everything on a even keel - “peace at any price” - which isn’t always the best way to go.

[dionysus-is-my-dude]

Guys, it’s Litha! The Summer Solstice!

Here’s some things you can do if you celebrate the solstice:

- Have a bonfire!

- Light some candles and pray

- Reflect on your inner masculine side

- Spend time with your significant other(s)

- Finalize marriage plans!

- Cook a lot

- Do the dirty with your significant other(s) *wink wink*

- Do some divination on your relationships

- Make flower crowns!

- Have an outdoor picnic

- Enjoy the sun on this longest day of the year

- Celebrate Helios and Apollo on this sunny day (if it’s sunny where you are)

Have a safe day, everyone!

[sophiasbookofshadows]

Litha 🌸🍄

So this summer solstice was a good one, and I got a bunch of stuff done so I thought I would document it here.

Witchy Swim

This is pretty simple. Just go to a natural body of water and feel the water’s energy flow through you.

Cleansing

My friend and I made up a water-based cleansing, because it had just rained and it was too wet to have a fire. I’ll probably type this up later.

God’s Eye

Easy-to-make symbols of protection that you can hang above your door, bed, altar, etc. There are tutorials all over the internet.

Altar redecorating

My altar has really lost its magickal purpose recently so I wanted to give it a nice makeover.

Gathering Wildflowers

My friend and I went out some time past midnight to gather wildflowers. You’re supposed to gather seven (preferably seven different types) and then put them under your pillow to dream of your true love. We gathered more than seven, and I have been just having strange dreams so maybe that’s where I messed up.

Just having a good time

Sabbats are not about super big, ancient rituals you perform to change your life forever, or perfectly following the ancient traditions of your ancestors. They are about recognizing the day’s purpose in your own special way, however you can. So just remember to have fun and don’t worry about if what you’re doing is enough.

[beltaneborn]

Me and my 2 coven sisters: shit we need one more person for this ritual

My very Psychic™ roomie: *walks in* hey whatcha guys doin

Me: i don’t know what i expected

[flyingthehedge]

Midsummer Altar 2018

I hope everyone had a wonderful Summer Solstice (Winter Solstice if you are in the Southern Hemisphere). We threw a small party with lots of seasonal foods and a bonfire, which I will post about later. For my altar this year I combined sun imagery with candles and crystals to honor the longest day of the year. So let's break down my Midsummer/Litha altar for 2018.

1. Sun Wheel- Represents the Sun, which is most prominent on the Summer Solstice, masculine energy, light, and fertility. It is on Litha that the Sun is strongest, providing the Earth and all her life with an abundant energy source to grow and thrive. (Where did I get it: I made it; Cost: Under $5)

2. Lanterns & Candles- These represent the Sun, masculine energy, passion, and light. Midsummer is the last of the fire festivals, making candles a must on any Litha altar. (Where did I get it: Dollar Tree 2017; Cost: $4)

3. Antler- Represents the masculine and fertility, as well as the connection between our realm and the Otherworld. (Where did I get it: Found; Cost: $0)

4. Sun Plate- This, of course, represents the Sun, masculine energy, and fertility. (Where did I get it: Dollar Tree 2017; Cost: $1)

5. Crystals- On this altar, there is malachite for growth and fertility, carnelian for strength and to represent the sun, bloodstone for fertility, strength, and abundance, citrine for abundance, and clear quartz to amplify the magic of the altar. (Where did I get it: Purchased from metaphysical stores or received in subscription boxes; Cost: Unknown)

6. Ivy- The silk ivy represents wealth, abundance, and fertility, as well as the Sun (Horned God) who is strongest on the Solstice. (Where did I get it: Dollar Tree 2017; Cost: $1)

7. Skull- The animal skull is there to represent the masculine, and it provides a place for spirits to reside as well as enhanced spirit communication. (Where did I get it: Found; Cost $0)

TOTAL COST: ~$15-20

You may have noticed I set this altar post is different from those in the past. I decided to break them down in a simpler fashion than before to make the post more manageable. Furthermore, I added where I acquired the items found on my altar and how much each item costs. Most of the items I use are found or purchased for under $1. The crystals are the only items that I have acquired from various sources and cannot give an exact value for. I hope this set up is more helpful to those looking for low-cost ideas or the reasons behind certain items being placed on different sabbat altars. If you like this setup, please let me know in the comments, and I will continue to provide such breakdowns.

How did you set up your altar this year for the solstice?

[wolfcat-hybrid]

Happy Litha to those who celebrate!

[yourlocalgreenwitch]

Happy litha!