Litha, Mid-Summer, or the Summer Solstice, this day marks the mid way point of the solar year. The days will start to get shorter and the nights longer. According to the “Old Folklore Calendars” summer began on Beltaine and ends on Lughnasadh. This makes Litha (Summer Solstice) the “Mid Summer” holiday. Actually this kinda makes more sense than having summer start on the day that the days start to get shorter. But then who am I to disagree with the people in charge. ;-)
On the Wheel of the Year, Litha lies directly across from Yule, the shortest day of the year. The joyous rituals of Litha celebrate Mother Earth in high summer, abundance, fertility, and all the riches of Nature in full bloom. According to some websites and writings, this festival is a madcap time of strong magic and empowerment. It is also the time for handfasting or weddings. As always though, it is a good time for communication with the spirits of Nature. At Litha, the veils between the worlds are thin; the portals between "the fields we know" and the worlds beyond stand open. This is an excellent time for rites of divination. 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 used by Covens. On a side note: 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. According to folk lore, fairies dance on Mid Summers Eve and if you stay up long enough you may be graced (?) to see them. Just don’t let them see you… unless, of course, you have fairy blood coursing through you veins.
As with Beltaine, fire has a big emphasis at this time. Some will be interested in the fact that Moroccans rubbed a paste of the ashes into their hair to prevent baldness. In Europe a person was to look at the fire through bunches of larkspur or other flowers held in the hand to strengthen the eyes. Ashes of the fire were scattered throughout the fields to help with the harvest. Another custom was to light two candles and walk between them. This was considered as potent as jumping the “Bale Fire” at Beltaine and probably a whole lot easier to drive cattle between two candles than anywhere close to a fire.
Ok some herbs associated with Mid Summer:
Mugwort: Use in a sachet under your pillow for prophetic dreams. Wash crystal balls in a warm Mugwort bath to increase their clarity. Carry a fresh sprig to bring safety in travel and prevent obstacles and delays on the road. I would NOT recommend taken this herb internally in any form.
Vervain: I love this notation: Mix with lard, it helps with swellings and pains in the “secret parts.” Good remedy for coughs and colds, and also may be combined with other herbs such as Colt’s Foot and horehound.
Chamomile: Bathing with a decoction of this herb will take away weariness and ease pains. Take a bath in the flowers to soothe tensions and solve problems of the heart. An infusion is excellent for migraine and headaches.
Rose: What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. (Wm. Shakespeare)
An infusion of dried rose petals is used for headache and dizziness. Add honey and it can be used as a heart and nerve tonic. Cloth soaked with rose vinegar can be used as a compress for headache. Rose honey is an ancient remedy for sore throat. Use rose buds in your laundry to sustain love in a marriage. Add rose petals, or buds in a sachet or dream pillow for pleasant dreams. Use red rose petals, a cup of rosewater, or three drops of rose oil in a bath to help infuse your aura with sexuality. You can use rose petals in all types of love potions, sachets, spells etc. Use your imagination ;-)
Lavender: make a mixture of lavender, rose, and mint to make a very powerful love attraction formula. Use lavender, rose and lemon for love healing. Add this herb to your bathwater to help calm your spirits. Burn dried lavender flowers with rue for protection rituals.
Thyme: Cook with thyme to increase your awareness, sight and memory. Bath in the oil for serious purification after you have come in contact with death. This herb cleanses and renews the spirit. Thyme can be used in love spells to invoke a more gentleness and understanding into your relationship. Place in a sachet or dream pillow with other “love” or relationship type herbs to help promote long lasting emotions. If you plant thyme (in your garden) in honor of someone dear you will always have “thyme” with them. Dry thyme and place in an air tight bottle; place it on a shelf where you can easily see it. Kept this way you will always have thyme (“time”). This is a great all around herb that I love to use.
The Herb Book – The complete and authoritative guide to more than 500 herbs - John lust - © 1974, 2001 Beneficial Publications
The Encyclopedia of Magical Ingredients – Lexa Rosean - © 2005 pocket Books
Garden Witchery – Magick from the ground up – Ellen Dugan - © 2003 Llewellyn Publications
