Summer Solstice FAQs: 33 Important Litha And Midsummer Frequently Asked Questions

In the Northern Hemisphere, summer solstice occurs around June 21st. At this point, the days begin to get shorter each day. As this continues, eventually, the nights become noticeably long compared to the days.

By December 22nd, winter solstice begins in the northern hemisphere. The days begin getting longer again, and the nights become noticeably short again compared to the days.
During this time, exposure to the sun (or a lack thereof) can affect our moods. It’s well known that vitamin D and sun exposure are related to relative happiness levels.

In fact, it has been shown that those who spend more time outdoors tend to be happier than those who do not.

Yes! In the Northern hemisphere, Summer Solstice is the longest day and the shortest night of the year.

It occurs between June 20 and 22. For the Southern hemisphere, it occurs on December 21 or 22.

Litha is celebrated with candles, bonfires, feasts, and other festivities. It is one of the most popular holidays in the Northern hemisphere.

Midsummer is also celebrated with fireworks, music, dancing, and other celebrations. Ancient civilizations had summer solstice rituals and celebrations like dancing around the maypole, baking, building and exploring labyrinths, midnight sun games, speaking to ghosts, and much more.

According to ancient Latvian legend, Midsummer’s Eve (St. John’s Eve) on June 23 is spent awake by the glow of a bonfire and in pursuit of a magical fern flower—said to bring good luck—before cleansing one’s face in the morning dew. (almanac.com)

The length of daylight affects us in several ways. First, it affects how much sleep we need at night. Those living in areas where there is less sunlight have a harder time falling asleep because they are exposed to less sunlight.

To some, Litha is a liminal time where we can interact better with ghosts. Some may find this scary, while others look at it as a time to commune with our ancestors.

The summer solstice can affect us in many ways. What matters most is working around our perception of this holiday to make it as holy as possible.

The longest day of the year occurs during the summer solstice, and is the day with the most daylight.

The Summer Solstice is an astronomical event that occurs around June 20 each year in the Northern hemisphere. Earth is tilted towards Sun, causing more solar rays to fall toward earth.

It is considered as the first day of summer. The Earth is at the point in its orbit where the North Pole is most tilted towards the sun, so the days are much longer than at other points in the year.

From the point of the summer solstice on, the days become shorter and the nights longer until the winter solstice.

Pagans, wiccans, occultists, and anyone that lives in tune with solar cycles is likely to celebrate the summer solstice in one way or another.

While this may look like big parties with public rituals for some, others will choose small private traditions. 

Some things that solitary witches can do for Litha include meditating, praying, fasting, bathing in moonlight, going out into nature, and divination.

Yes, summer solstice, midsummer, and Litha are all different names for the same holiday celebrating the sun and the coming harvest season. The name you use depends on your own pagan beliefs and traditions.

John’s Eve, Summer Solstice, Alban Hefin, Feill-Sheathain, and “Litha” is the name given to the Wiccan Sabbat celebrated at the Summer Solstice.
Source: (wiccaliving.com)

Not necessarily! In some places, the hottest days occur later in the season.

Check your farmer’s almanac for more information on seasonal variations.

Yes, the summer solstice is the longest day and shortest night of the year. It is the first day of summer.

In pagan times, people would celebrate the summer solstice by dancing around a maypole, singing songs, making offerings to the gods, and having feasts. Many cultures still celebrate these customs today. 

While there are pagan origins of the celebration, there are many Christian practices associated with midsummer.
The undivided Christian Church designated June 24 as the feast day of the early Christian martyr St John the Baptist, and the observance of St John’s Day begins the evening before, known as Saint John’s Eve.
Source: (en.wikipedia.org)

The summer solstice is celebrated all over the world! In traditional times, it was the perfect time to prepare for an abundant harvest. Midsummer night was a time of parties and bonfires. 

Pronunciations: lee-thuh, lii-thuh
So, what did the Anglo-Saxons call this longest day? It’s hard to say, since nobody knows the exact meaning of Litha. But one thing is clear: whatever the name meant, a holiday like Litha was celebrated throughout much of Europe.

According to , the 8th-century treatise that also mentioned the goddess of spring, Eostre, the word “liða” means calm or gentle. (wiccaacademy.com)

In many cultures, there is a belief in two separate yet connected entities: the Oak King and the Holly King. As the seasons transition through the years, so do these beings.

Each king’s reign lasts approximately 6 months, and they battle each other throughout the year. Traditionally, the Holly King is seen as evil and destructive while the Oak King is seen as benevolent and nurturing.

The Holly King rules over the cold winter months, when life is hard. The Oak King rules over the warm months of abundance.

The Holly King is the God of Winter and the Oak King is his foe. Each king reigns according to the seasons. They battle each other for power, glory and influence. In many tales they are both brothers.

The Holly King rules over the cold north wind and the ice storms. He is represented by evergreens and wintry scenes. He brings cold winds, hoarfrost, snow, darkness, and death.
The Oak King rules over the warmth and sunshine. He is represented by oak trees, orange trees, and the color red. He brings heat, growth, fertility, and life.

What the Summer Solstice Means: The summer solstice is the peak of the waxing year, where the sun is at its fullest expression, according to Gabriela Herstik, a practicing witch and the author of the guided journal “Embody Your Magick.” She notes that in Wicca and other Pagan traditions, it marks a time when the Holly King (God of Winter or the Waning Year) defeats the Oak King (God of the Forest and the Waxing Year), indicating that nighttime will gradually grow. “This has historically been a day when solar power is honored and exalted when we get to connect to the revitalizing and reenergizing spirit of the sun,” Herstik says.
Source: (apartmenttherapy.com)

Are there any special foods associated with the summer solstice? There are lots of traditional meals associated with this season. People eat large amounts of fruit, including melons, berries, nuts, and pomegranates.

They also enjoy vegetables and salads, especially cucumbers, tomatoes, squash, and onions. Meats are eaten, too, such as venison, lamb, goat, beef, pork, turkey, and fish.

The summer solstice is when the sun receives its maximum height above our horizon and as we know there are shorter nights. It is thought that the increased proximity to the sun can be responsible for many people sleeping more irregularly and not having the deep sleep needed for recovery.

At this time it is thought that the body produces less melatonin, therefore making it harder to fall asleep. Melatonin is produced in response to darkness and the lack of it creates the feeling of insomnia.

If you need help sleeping more soundly during the summer months, try herbal sleep remedies such as lavender, chamomile, or valerian root.

Summer solstice is important because it marks the start of summer and is an important part of the agricultural season in the northern hemisphere. It is considered sacred because the Sun is seen as divine by many cultures. The Sun is revered as the source of life, growth and prosperity. The Sun is central to many religions and faiths.

The Sun God is the source of all Life and Light and the center of the Universe. It is believed that the Sun god gave us life and is therefore responsible for everything we experience. He governs the seasons, weather, growth, agriculture and fertility.

The summer solstice is particularly significant to pagans because this is the time when the Sun God rises at its brightest and sets at its lowest point in the sky. The Sun is said to be reborn and new life begins then.

The power of the sun is still revered by many neopagans because the sun is a symbol of light and truth. Many witches celebrate the summer solstice with rituals and ceremonies.

The full moon that occurs around the time of a holiday can be a good time to harness the vibes of that holiday. Collecting moon water during the summer solstice can help you to harness the creative, powerful energy of this solar holiday.

During the Winter Nights Witches often go into seclusion, meditate, do solitary work, and practice their craft at home during this time. The Summer Solstice allows them to be outside, socializing with others, celebrating the return of life and the renewed growth of crops.

In the Arctic circle, the days are longer than they are anywhere else on Earth during midsummer. This is a time where there is a midnight sun- in some places, the sun seems to never set at all! 

Stonehenge was built in England around 2500 BC, and it has been suggested that the site may have been used for astronomical purposes.

Some believe that the alignment of the stones is based on the summer solstice. The ancient pagans there used the stones as a place to worship the Sun God.

Litha is associated with white, yellow, red, gold and orange. These colors are associated with fire and the sun. 
White represents purity and innocence.

Yellow represents warmth and happiness. Red represents passion and love. Gold represents nobility and royalty. Orange represents joy and creativity.

1) The summer solstice occurs on or around June 20th each year.
2) On the day of the solstice, the sun reaches its highest point in the sky.
3) At the same time, the shortest night of the year also happens.
4) The winter solstice is the opposite of the summer solstice. It occurs around December 21st each year.
5) The summer solstice is known as the “birthday” of the sun.

Latvia’s most important national holiday is arguably not Christmas but the summer solstice celebrations of Ligo (pronounced “leegwa”) – a pagan tradition when Latvians celebrate the shortest night by staying up to greet the rising sun.
Source: (bbc.com)

Lugh – From the Irish Gaelic myths, Lugh is a solar deity and one of the most important gods of Ireland.
Amaterasu – Amaterasu is the Japanese goddess of the sun.
Anyanwu – Igbo deity.
Magec – Tenerife goddess.
Amun – Sun deity of Egypt.
Aten – Egyptian god of the sun.
Bast – Egyptian goddess of the sun.
Huitzilopochtli – Aztec god of war and agriculture.
Nanahuatzin – Aztec god of the sun. 
Inti – Incan god of the sun.
Akycha – Inuit sun goddess.
Malina – Greenland’s sun goddess.
Ah Kin – Mayan sun god.
Malakbel – Arabian sun god.
Nuha – Sun goddess of Qedar.
Shamsun – A solar goddess.
Nahundi – Elamite sun god.
Mithra – Persian sun god.
Surya – Hindu sun god.
Aine – Irish goddess of midsummer and the sun.
Hyperion – Greek god of the sun.
Helios – Greek god of the sunlight.
Sol – Roman sun god.
Apollo – Greek god of the light.
Cernunnos – Celtic horned sun god.
Beiwe – Sami goddess of the sun.

Gifts can include candles, incense, oils, crystals, jewelry, herbs, books, art, music, etc. It is also traditional to make baked goods for the gods and friends. 

Homemade scarecrows and flower crowns are very popular for midsummer.

1) Write about your feelings about the summer solstice.
2) What does your perfect summer day look like? Who is with you, and what do you do?
3) Make a list of your current routines and habits that are working well for you and make you happier, healthier, and wealthier.
4) List all the things you want to accomplish this year.
5) What in your life do you want to slow down so you can appreciate it more?

The summer solstice is ruled by the zodiac sign Cancer, a moon ruled astrological sign. That means this is a holiday that blends both the sun and the moon.

This moment marks a change in the seasons — summer begins, winter ends. The sun enters into the zodiac of Cancer, the Crab. The Sun is associated with masculinity, and Cancers rule over emotions and feelings.

Yes, Litha is a Celtic holiday.

The Celts celebrated their summer solstice festival with bonfire celebrations. People rolled burning wheels downhill into bodies of water, supposedly bringing good luck.

The midsummer celebration is all about celebrating summer and having fun, eating herring, enjoying wine and staying up late. It is a lighthearted and joyful tradition.

A celebration of fertility, midsummer is celebrated by young people dancing around maypole-like poles adorned with fresh greenery. This tradition is also enjoyed by those living in urban environments.

The tradition is very different from the horror presented in the movie Midsommar. And while there are some aspects that are real (you may be surprised to know that the elderly jumping to their death is actually an attested tradition), much of the scarier elements are fiction.

Despite the contrived premise of Midsommar, the primary setting is actually Hårga where one gets tricked by the devil into doing evil things. Aster chose this location because it has an association with a real Swedish folk legend called Hårgalåtten.

We are in a time where sacrifice is often seen as something negative. However, there are things you can sacrifice to the gods that aren’t scary at all! For instance, cakes can be baked for the gods. Incense smoke is another appropriate Litha sacrifice. 

You can scry to see if your future husband will come into your life during the summer solstice. If you’re single, you might find out that he’s already here!

Midsummer is thought to be a favorable time to find a partner. Many weddings take place on Midsummer during. Most of the Midsummer spells have to do with seeing your future husband’s face. According to one tradition, you were supposed to pick nine different flowers and put them under your pillow and you would see him in your dreams. If you already knew who you wanted, there were many ways of making him want you. For example, you could go to the boy’s field and roll around the field naked.
Source: swedishfinnhistoricalsociety.org

St. John’s Day is celebrated as a Christian feast day on June 24th. It is related to Midsummer celebrations, but it is also strongly connected with the prechristian paganism.

Saint John the Baptist was a forerunner to Jesus (and according to the Gospel of Luke, was actually related to him); he had his own disciples and in fact, still has a small sect of followers in Mandæism, mostly located in Iran and Iraq.
Source: (scandinaviastandard.com)

Also:

The celebration predates Christianity, and has existed under different names and traditions around the world.[7][8] The undivided Christian Church designated June 24 as the feast day of the early Christian martyr St John the Baptist, and the observance of St John’s Day begins the evening before, known as Saint John’s Eve.
Source: (en.wikipedia.org)

The wheel of the year shows the growing abundance of crops.

This is the time when the seed-bearing plants have begun to sprout and grow abundantly. These are the months of summer heat and the growing season.

Sowing of seeds and their first sprouts are what makes the later harvest possible. Lughnasadh is the holiday in August, and is the first of many harvest holidays on the wheel of the year.

The Danish celebrate Midsummer’s Eve or Sankt Hans Aften on the 23rd of June. The Swedish celebrate Litha Eve on the Friday between the 19th and 25th of June. Norwegians celebrate it on the 23rd of June. The Finnish celebrate this holidau on the Saturday between the 20th and 26th og June. In Iceland, they celebrate Jonsmessa on the 24th of June.

They celebrate this holiday with bonfires, good food, and time outside. They celebrate with the maypole, flaming wheels, flower crowns, and bonfires.

To wish someone a happy midsummer in Swedish, you would say “Glad Midsommar!” In Danish, you would say “God Sankthansaften!” In Finnish, “Hyvää Juhannusta!” and in Icelandic you say “Gleðilegt Jónsmessa!”

The Danes sing traditional songs like “Vi Elsker Vort Land” (We Love Our Country), written in 1885 by Holger Drachmann.
Midsummer used to be a national holiday in Norway until 1771. In Northern Norway, the sun doesn’t set at all between mid-May and mid-July.

Finns believe that the louder you are or the more drunk you get during midsummer, the luckier you’ll be in the year to come. So have fun and get shouting!

One Icelandic myth about midsummer is that seals become humans or selkies during this time, and that cows can speak.