Litha: Celebrating the Pagan Summer Solstice with Simple Rituals, Colorful Altars, and Meaningful Connection
The sun is shining its brightest, the flowers are blooming, and your herbs are practically leaping out of their pots. That can only mean one thing: It’s time for Litha, the pagan summer solstice! This magical sabbat celebrates the longest day of the year, and it’s a perfect opportunity to connect with nature, recharge your spiritual batteries, and set your Litha altar with intention. Whether you're preparing a sunny feast or just sneaking in a quick candle spell when you can find a quiet moment, Litha is all about honoring light, growth, and inner power.
Southern‑Hemisphere friends: I see you! While we in the north celebrate Litha’s summer blaze, you’re welcoming Yule and the quiet mid‑winter sun. Feel free to bookmark these ideas for your June/December flip, or adapt them for your cozy solstice season!
What Is Litha, Anyway? The Meaning Behind the Summer Solstice
Litha, also called Midsummer or the pagan summer solstice, marks the peak of the sun’s power. For many pagan paths, it’s a celebration of abundance, fertility, and fire. Traditionally, bonfires were lit to honor the sun, and it was believed that herbs, like St John’s Wort, mugwort and yarrow, gathered on this day were at their most potent (my herb garden agrees; they're extra enthusiastic this year).
While the name “Litha” has roots in old Anglo-Saxon traditions (Bede lists the Anglo‑Saxon summer months as Ærra Līða (early Litha) and Æftera Līða (later Litha) rather than a single festival name- modern pagans borrowed “Litha” from that month name), many cultures across history have celebrated the summer solstice. While it is still unproven that ancient Druids gathered at Stonehenge, modern Druids gather at stone circles like Stonehenge, while Northern and Eastern European folks leapt over fires and celebrated the power of the sun. Litha is a time of joy, light, and celebrating life at full bloom.
Litha Colors and Decor: How to Set the Vibe
The colors of Litha are just as warm and vibrant as the sun itself. Think gold, yellow, orange, red, and touches of green for growth. These Litha colors represent the fire of the season and the fertility of the earth. It’s like your altar is wearing its summer dress and radiating joy!
When I decorate my Litha altar, I usually grab fresh flowers from the yard (or, okay, the grocery store since Florida summers are brutal). I add a few candles in sunny shades, maybe a gold sun symbol, and some citrus fruits or herbs.
Simple Litha Altar Ideas
Setting up a Litha altar doesn’t have to be complicated! A sunny windowsill, a tabletop corner, or even a patch of yard works just fine. Try adding:
- Candles in gold, orange, or red
- Fresh herbs like rosemary, lavender, or mint
- Sun symbols, bees, butterflies, or oak leaves
- A bowl of seasonal fruits like cherries or strawberries
- Crystals like citrine, carnelian, or sunstone
Even a smallest altar can feel powerful when it’s created with love and intention!
Litha Foods: What to Eat and Offer
Food is a big part of Litha. Seasonal fruits, garden veggies, honey cakes, and anything baked under the sun’s watchful eye are perfect. I like to make lavender shortbread or lemon muffins (yum!) and leave a few on my altar as an offering (and yes, I eat a few too, I mean, offering to myself counts, right?).
Some traditional Litha foods include:
- Honey or honey-based treats
- Fresh berries and fruit salads
- Herbal teas
- Cornbread or anything baked golden and warm
- Light, fresh meals using garden ingredients
Even if you’re not big on kitchen witchery, just sharing a meal outside or sipping herbal tea under the sun can be a beautiful way to honor the day.
Litha Spells and Simple Rituals
This is the season of action and abundance. Here are a few beginner-friendly spell ideas for your summer solstice:
- Sun Jar Spell: Charge a jar with sunlight (leave it outside or on a sunny windowsill), then add herbs, affirmations, or crystals for energy, joy, and confidence. Shake it anytime you need a sunny pick-me-up.
- Herb Bundle Blessing: Gather herbs and tie them with string. As you do, speak your intentions into each one—healing, courage, love, etc. Hang it on your door or over your altar. I have one in my purse and a hidden one at my retail space (shhhh!)
- Fire Spell: Light a candle and write a fear or limitation on a slip of paper. Burn it safely (in a fire-safe bowl, please!) to release it and invite growth.
- Crystals: Citrine, carnelian, and sunstone are all “solar” stones you can incorporate into your spells and rituals.
If you’ve got kids or pets around (like mine, who think all rituals are snack-related), you can keep it simple. Even lighting a single candle and taking three deep breaths in gratitude counts as magic.
Litha Is a Celebration of You, Too
At its heart, Litha reminds us to shine—boldly, brightly, and unapologetically. Whether you're hosting a full-blown ritual under the stars or just taking five minutes with a cup of iced tea and your journal, your celebration is valid.
So take a moment to bask in your own growth, too. You’ve made it through half the year. That’s worth celebrating! Light a candle, eat a strawberry, and remember: You are magic in bloom!
Stay mystical, Friends!
P.S. We have Mystical Picks for Your Litha season!
Looking to bring a little handmade sunshine to your summer solstice setup? Here are a few of our favorite magical tools for this sabbat:
• Sunna's Embrace – Perfect for inviting the energy of the Sun Goddess Sunna into your spiritual practice, this oil is designed to uplift your spirit, inspire confidence, and promote positivity.
• Celtic-Inspired Wooden Box – Tuck away your spells, herbs, or crystals. Beautiful and full of earthy, witchy vibes.