SUMMER SOLSTICE ~ LITHA

The Summer(Midsummer) Solstice will be occurring on Friday June 21, 2002 at 9:24 am EST. The solstice, also called Litha, is one of eight holidays(a Lesser Sabbat) on the Witches Wheel of the Year. It is a midsummer fire festival that celebrates the longest day and the shortest night of the year. This is a time to celebrate the aspects of the solar god -- the male principle of nature reaching his apex -- and the forces of life and prosperity. It is also a time of communion between the goddess and god, of fertility, health, love and of ease and enjoyment. It is a special occasion for blessing animals and doing protective magic.

Ten Things to do to Celebrate the Solstice:

* Be in the Sun! Plan outdoor activities -- pack up a picnic or plan a barbecue with friends and family.

* Gardening(a good time to plant fall vegetables). Besides this being a perfect time to plant new seeds in our gardens, it is also a time to nurture and plant seeds in our minds.

* It is said that faeries, sprites and spirits dancing in fairy rings are more easily seen on this day. Be receptive and open.

* If you are feeling creative, why not make solar photographs? You can buy a solar photo kit or photo paper. Away from light, place flowers( picked by you if possible but not essential), leaves and/or any objects you would like to print on the film. After arranging the objects on the page, cover with anything that will block it from light. Now take this out into the sun, remove the covering, so the film is exposed and watch the magic begin!

* Relax by a tree under the sun and read Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" ....or just take a nap or meditate.

* Stay indoors (after a romp in the sun!) and watch Woody Allen's "A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy".

* Have great sex with the one you love!

* Carve a sun symbol onto a yellow candle and send up thanks to the sun for all the warmth, energy, and light, life he gives to you(or whatever you feel the sun means to you). Place some sun colored flowers(marigolds, peonies, sunflowers,chrysanthemum and carnations) near the candle or herbs(cinnamon, clove, saffron and rosemary) devoted to the Sun.

* Take a nice warm bath. Take two oranges, two lemons and two limes. Cut them in half and squeeze all the juice into a warm bath. You can get wild and add solar yellow or orange coloring to your bath and even some fiery flower and/or rose petals. Surround yourself with gold, yellow and /or orange candles. Light some incense -- a few scents associated with the sun are cedar, frankincense, sandalwood and bergamot. Soak yourself for 15-20 minutes while you think sunlit thoughts. Let the Vitamin C of the citrus fruits revitalize you like the sun.

* Fiery food and drink ideas: Sesame noodles, curry and ginger sauces, salads full of yellow and orange(peppers, tomatoes. oranges, lemons, limes, tangerines), lemon bars, gingerbread men, chamomile, cinnamon or ginger tea.