One of the eight holidays of the Wiccan religion. The feast is global, but the name Litha is Wiccan. The feast is called Midsummer, Summer solstice, Alban Heirun, Vestalia, Ukkon Juhla, Witsuntide in other countries.
The feast is planned at the day when the sunny hours were the most, and the nights were the shortest. Our ancestors were celebrating with dancing, lighting bonfires and feast. In some communities were holding weddings this day. Finnish people were offering their biggest bonfire to the god Ukko, and the name of the holiday “Ukkon Juhla” comes from this rule. In other countries people were dancing around the fields with burning torch to achieve prolifical harvest.
(Image source: Google)
The Christian Saint John’s Eve is almost the same feast day. This is a Christian feast day, based on the birthday of Saint John the Baptist, symbolizing the victory of the light against the darkness. This feast day is 3 days after Midsummer.
We can celebrate even though we cannot light bonfires. (Do it, if you can!) Light a candle and meditate as you watch the flames dancing. If you cannot light candles (see previous post: What if I cannot burn candles?), just lie to the sunlight and enjoy the power, the warmth of the sun rays. Watch the sunrise or the sunset. Wear red, orange or yellow clothes, collect herbs, or if you need to hide in shadows badly, just invite your family or friends to a garden party. Light fire for barbecue and throw some rose petals, lavender, sage, jasmine or pine needles in the fire.
The festive meal can be fresh veggies and fruits, salad dishes, hot and spicy meals, ice cream, red wine, beer or mead, and meals and sweets with honey.
You can start learning something new, for example new hobbies, new sports, new language learning etc.
Happy holiday! :)
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