21 | June | 2015 | And The Moon Sees All

Today is the Summer Solstice, also known as Litha. It is the longest day of the year. It won’t get dark until very late into the night, there will be at least 14 hours of daylight. Litha means a stopping or standing still of the sun, and it is one of the 8 Pagan solar holidays throughout the year.This is a day of celebrations, the Goddess is heavily pregnant with the harvest to come, the Sun God, The Oak King is at the height of his power. But this is also a day of sadness because today the Sun God, The Oak King battles with the Lord Of The Dark Sun, The Holly King and the Holly King will win and start to take over the skies. After today the Sun starts to lose its strength, the days will get shorter and the nights longer, as we look to Autumn and Winter. The Oak King (The Lord Of Light) is born on Yule (the Winter Solstice) and he shines so brightly for 6 months of the year, but this weakens him. The Holly King (The Lord Of Darkness) lies in wait until Litha, when the Oak King uses his last ounce of strength to make sure the earth has enough power for the harvest to come. The Oak King (The Lord Of Light) will slowly descend into the underworld, but his journey will not be complete until Samhain (Halloween). That is when the Holly King (The Lord Of Darkness) will take over the skies.

Litha is a time of light, purification, and healing. It’s a time to reflect on the light and dark within each of us and within the world around us. It is a time to appreciate everything we have in our lives and give thanks for it. It’s a time to appreciate nature and all that it gives us.

Pick some flowers and put them on your altar to offer them to the Sun God and the Goddess, and thank them for their sacrifices. Adorn your altar with fruit and anything gold, yellow, or shiny to honor the Sun. Build a bonfire or light a candle. A fire lit on Litha is said to be very powerful and magical.

Write down your hopes & dreams and burn them in the fire. To do this on Litha night will bring you your desire.

This is the height of summer and it is one of the most celebratory days of the year. Enjoy it. Go for long walks, spend time with family and friends, and appreciate the beauty of the Summer and nature. Dance and be merry.

Have a Blessed Summer Solstice.