Midsummer

Pagans in the northern hemisphere will be celebrating Midsummer soon. Some call it Litha as well, but no matter what name it is called, it is usually celebrated on the Summer Solstice, and is definitely a magical time for all! On the Summer Solstice you can feel the earth teeming with more energy than on any other day. This energy can be utilized for many types of magic: healing, prosperity, fairy folk magic, matters regarding friendship and love, etc.

This year the Summer Solstice falls on June 21. One very special way of celebrating this day is by visiting Stonehenge or any of the other megalithic sites similar to it, where there is a strong sense of all that is magical.

This day is seen as the day that Yule was building up to, and now even though everything is so alive and abundant, it will begin to get darker before we know it, the days will grow shorter, and on this day the Oak King gives way to the Holly King in the Celtic-based tale which states that the Oak King and the Holly King are twin Gods, and that the Oak King rules the light half of the year, while the Holly King rules the dark half. On this day of the year the Oak King will retreat so that the Holly King may rule until Yule, when the cycle will begin again.

In times past celebrants leapt bonfires to encourage fertility, healing, love, and other positive things which the celebrant desired. The fires were burnt in honor of the sun, which was so strong at this time of year, and was so important to the fertility of crops. Another common practice was to throw herbs into the fire. Common herbs and flowers for Midsummer are St. John's Wort, yarrow, lavender, violets, vervain, roses, delphinium, or anything that strikes one's fancy! In addition, this is considered the best time to gather herbs and flowers to be used for magical purposes (or practical purposes for that matter) since this is the day when everything is so vibrant.

Out of all of the pagan holidays, Midsummer is one of the easiest to enjoy. There is happiness and abundance in the air, and a sense of wonder over everything around us.

Happy Summer Solstice!