There was a time when life was lived in harmony with the rhythm of the sky. When the sun's journey was observed as one might read a sacred poem. When the longest days were celebrated with gigantic bonfires, dances, offerings to the earth, and songs to the heavens. That time is not lost. It still lives on, under another name, in the hearts of those who listen to nature. And among these ancestral festivals, Litha is one of the most vibrant.
But what exactly is Litha ? What are its links to world mythologies , its historical origins , and how do other cultures celebrate this sacred moment ?
Buckle up, we're off on a solar journey through the centuries, traditions… and continents 🌍
What is Litha? A pagan solar festival
Litha is the name given in the Wiccan and Neopagan calendar to the summer solstice festival , that is, the longest day of the year , usually around June 21st in the Northern Hemisphere. In the sacred cycle of the Wheel of the Year, Litha is one of the eight Sabbats (seasonal festivals), at the height of light, in contrast to Yule , the winter solstice.
At Litha, the sun is at its zenith . It is a time of abundance, fertility, nature's full power, and creative fire . But it is also a turning point: the very next day, the days begin to shorten. This makes Litha a celebration that is both joyous and poignant —a love song to the sun before its slow decline.
The ancient origins of Litha
The summer solstice festivities , known by various names throughout the ages and across cultures, occupy a prominent place in the history of civilizations . One of the most notable names is " Litha ," an Anglo-Saxon term mentioned by the monk Bede the Venerable in the 8th century . In his treatise "De temporum ratione" ( On the Calculation of Time ), Bede describes the Anglo-Saxon calendar , referring to the month of June as " Ærra Litha " (before Litha) and the month of July as " Æftera Litha " (after Litha). This nomenclature underscores the importance the Anglo-Saxons placed on this time of year.
However, long before the term " Litha " was used, many pre-Christian cultures celebrated the summer solstice , marking the longest day of the year and the peak of solar power . These solstice celebrations varied according to local beliefs and traditions, but they often shared common themes of light , fertility , and renewal .
Among the Celts :
The Celts , a people deeply connected to the cycles of nature , honored the summer solstice with bonfires lit on hilltops. These ritual fires , known as St. John's fires after Christianization , were believed to protect crops and livestock, while also celebrating the fertility of the land . Participants danced around the flames and jumped over them to attract good fortune and ward off evil spirits.
Among the Germanic and Nordic peoples :
In Germanic and Nordic traditions , the summer solstice , or "Midsummer," was a time of intense festivities . Although specific historical sources are limited, it is widely accepted that bonfires were lit to honor the sun at its zenith . These celebrations included dances , songs , and solar rituals intended to ensure prosperity and fertility . Some traditions also mention jumping over the flames to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits .
Among the Slavic peoples :
The Slavs celebrated Kupala Night (or Noc Kupały ) around June 23-24 , a festival marking the summer solstice and associated with purification and fertility rites. Young women wove flower crowns which they set adrift on the water , while young men tried to retrieve them, symbolizing the quest for love . Bonfires were central to these celebrations, with couples jumping over the flames to seal their union and ensure their future happiness . It was also believed that on this night, nature revealed its secrets , notably through the ephemeral appearance of the mythical fern flower , believed to bring wealth and wisdom to whoever found it.
Among the Greeks and Romans :
In ancient Greece , the summer solstice coincided with the festival of Kronia , celebrated in honor of Cronus , the god of agriculture . During this festival, social barriers were temporarily abolished: masters and slaves shared the same meals in a spirit of equality , reflecting a nostalgia for a bygone golden age . Among the Romans , a similar festival, the Saturnalia , was celebrated in December in honor of Saturn , the Roman equivalent of Cronus, with comparable characteristics of a reversal of social roles and shared festivities .
Among the peoples of Latin America :
The Andean civilizations , notably the Incas , celebrated Inti Raymi , or the "Festival of the Sun," in honor of Inti , the sun god . This ceremony, which took place during the winter solstice of the Southern Hemisphere , around June 24 , was one of the most important in the Inca Empire . The festivities included processions , dances , songs , and offerings of corn , intended to thank the sun for past harvests and to ask for its favor in the coming year . Animal sacrifices were also practiced to ensure the prosperity of the empire .
These various celebrations of the summer solstice illustrate the universal importance of the sun and its cycles in ancient civilizations . They testify to a deep recognition of nature and its sacred rhythms , as well as a common desire to harmonize with cosmic forces to ensure fertility , prosperity , and community balance .
Summer solstice celebrations around the world
|
Region |
Name of the festival |
Central element |
|
Scandinavia |
Midsommar |
Bonfires, dancing, flower crowns |
|
Slavs (Ukraine, Russia…) |
Ivan Kupala |
Water, fire, love rituals |
|
Andes (Peru, Bolivia…) |
Inti Raymi |
Honors to the Sun god, offerings |
|
Christian Europe |
Saint John |
Bonfires, sacred herbs |
|
Wicca & neo-paganism |
Litha |
Wheel of the Year, Solar Apogee |
|
India (symbolically) |
Rath Yatra Festival |
Celebration of Krishna, solar chariot |
All of humanity celebrates the light , in one way or another. Litha is not an esoteric niche: it is a universal archetype .
The symbolic meaning of Litha
Litha is an archetype .
- This is the moment when the Sun God reaches his full power , before beginning his slow decline.
- It is the union of the God and the Goddess , in an explosion of abundance, love and creation.
- This is nature at its peak : the flowers are open, the trees are full, the bodies are alive.
But Litha is also the beginning of the return to shadow. It teaches us that even light contains within it the seed of its own disappearance , and that wisdom consists of welcoming the cycle, without wanting to freeze it .
Traditional pagan rituals of Litha
Although each tradition has its own specific gestures, some common elements are often found:
- Bonfires (purification, transformation, dance),
- Flower crowns (for fertility and sun-kissed beauty),
- The gathering of medicinal herbs (considered to be more potent on that day),
- Bathing in rivers, lakes or morning dew (purification),
- Rites of love (blessing of couples, promises of union),
- Offerings to the Earth (honey, flowers, fruits, seeds…),
- The making of solar talismans (with laurel, sunflower, tiger's eye…).
Litha, memory of a solar world
Litha is a living memory. A reminder that light deserves to be celebrated, honored, and fully experienced . But also that it is ephemeral , and that it is this very transience that makes it beautiful.
By celebrating Litha, you reconnect with ancient peoples , forgotten rhythms , and dormant myths . And you let your own inner fire shine forth, in service of a gentler, more sacred… more alive world.