Exploring Litha in Australia: Celebrating the Summer Solstice Down Under

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Litha (Midsummer), also known as the summer solstice, is the longest night of the year. Traditionally, Litha (pronounced LEE-Thar) is observed in the northern hemisphere on June 21st, while in the southern hemisphere, it occurs on December 21st.

As a practicing witch, I initially found this particular turn of the wheel challenging because

Australia aligns its holidays with the northern hemisphere rather than with the seasons. For example, Christmas. For pagans, Christmas is Yule, which coincides with the winter solstice. Yule was celebrated to bring warmth and hope during the colder part of the year. It also marks the upcoming change in the season as the days begin to lengthen in anticipation of spring's return. As an Aussie, have you ever wondered, "Why am I cooking all this food in the heat?" The short answer is that our families originally came from the northern hemisphere, bringing their customs and traditions with them. Litha is the longest day of the year and the shortest night. After the solstice the days will start to slowly shorten until Yule.

In all honesty, it's quite amusing, and I laugh when I say this because understanding this has freed me from having to toil in the kitchen on a blistering hot summer's day.

Litha is an exciting time; it represents growth and fertility for me as I begin to reap the rewards of all the seeds I planted in spring. Everything is growing rapidly, and I find myself harvesting food in abundance right now. It's a wonderful time to connect with nature and its elements.

Let's explore the customs and traditions of Litha a bit further:

The Romans celebrated Litha by honoring Vesta, the goddess of home and hearth.

The Celts would dance and sing around bonfires lit on hilltops, using this time to honor the Goddess Aine, the goddess of summer, sovereignty, and fertility.

In Japan, the solar goddess Amaterasu (Shinto) is honored, with celebrations held in the streets annually.

The Greeks associate both Apollo and Hestia with the summer solstice. I adore Hestia, the Greek goddess of home and hearth, and I maintain a kitchen altar for her.

In the Nordic regions, this holiday highlights the fertility gods "Freyja" and "Freyr." The Nordic pagans believed there was a strong evil presence during the solstice, which is why they would light bonfires to ward off evil entities. Plants were also thought to possess magical powers during the solstice. The Swedes celebrate Midsommar (not the horror movie), and historically, it might have been somewhat similar in that they practiced some form of sacrificial ritual. There are whispers of such rituals possibly taking place in rural areas of northern countries to this day. However, Sweden's celebrations now seem to be more of a festival dedicated to the summer solstice, where they collect flowers to make garlands for their hair, dance around the maypole, sing folk songs, and drink in celebration.

As an Aussie, how have I incorporated Litha into the Christmas period?

Litha in Australia is unconventional. During this season, fire restrictions are strictly enforced as our bushland is highly susceptible to wildfires in the summer. Much of my fire-related practice takes place indoors by lighting candles, using my cauldron, and engaging in kitchen witchery. I blend my Litha rituals with Christmas celebrations since the entire country, including my children and extended family, observes Christmas. I strive to create a feast based on the bounty from my garden and seasonal produce. I also embrace Gratitude during this time, expressing thanks to the wee folk and elementals for their role in achieving such abundance. I enjoy leaving offerings to the gods and nature spirits to show my appreciation. You may find me weaving some abundance magic, setting the tone for the year ahead and manifesting what I want to bring into my life. Journaling is a huge part of my practice, i like to review and take stock as the year comes to an end, release what no longer resonates with me and make space for the new.

This season symbolizes preservation for me, as I continue to harvest a plentiful supply of food from my garden daily. Throughout the year, I gather jars specifically for this period. My family and I prepare tomato sauce, passata, pickles, chutney or relish, fruit jams, and sometimes we freeze vegetables.

My family gathers for celebrations, and while they may celebrate Christmas, I am also engaged in my own magical practices.

I'd love to know how other Aussie pagans celebrate Litha during the Christmas holiday season, let me know!

Blessed Litha my Mystical family,

May the season bring much joy and abundance to you and yours this season!!!

To my sister circle at the lunar hearth cauldron in the states, who are currently navigating Solstice Séance, you witches make my journey worthwhile. I love you all. Enjoy this Yule season.

Blessed be!!!