Litha ~ Midsummer ~ Alban Hefin

On the 21st of June we celebrate Midsummer, also called Litha or Alban Hefin, and the height of Summer. All seeds have been planted, everything grows and is in full bloom and all we have to do is take care for and love all we are growing and blooming. In Summer, just like in Winter, we visit each other to spend pleasant time together, celebrate life and be together to strengthen bonds. Hence the many Summer festivals.

During the Summer Holidays, the Western Hemisphere goes into a sort of rest position. That is why this period is also considered as Summer Rest. Like Winter`s Rest, it is a time for contemplation and reflection. You can already see which seeds bear fruit, which grow and bloom and from what we can expect a nice harvest in the future. You can also see which seeds have not grown. You may want to remove them, so that there is room for new seeds that you could harvest in Autumn. During this Summer`s Rest look back on the year so far. What were your goals, your plans, your wishes. What has or has not happened? What would you do differently? What else would you like to start up? Take a moment now, pause and enjoy what you have achieved so far and be inspired by what you may still want to do. Go for it ♥

The duel between The Oak and Holly

We are not only celebrating the height of Summer, but also that we have arrived halfway through the year. Today is the longest day and the shortest night. Mother Nature is in full bloom with food, grains, berries, vegetables, flowers and herbs. She is full of life, like a Full Moon.

The Holly King (the diminishing light) and the Oak King (the waxing light) have a duel on this day to determine who may rule the 2nd half of the year. The Holly King will be the winner and rule until Midwinter. After the 21st of June the days will get shorter again and we are going back to Midwinter. The dark half of the year is upon us.

The duel between the Holly King and the Oak King symbolizes transformation and the shift in balance of strength. This recognizes and honours that both dark and light need each other and that there is a balance between them in order to grow, learn life lessons and fully regain strength and maintain strength. Rest comes after a period of activity, and activity comes after a period of rest. This is an ever flowing process.

The name Litha

A turning point is celebrated during Midsummer. Like it says in the name: mid Summer = the midst or height of Summer. There is peace and harvest activities are awaiting us. The fertility of the crops is now maximum. Litha comes from Old Germanic and means mountainside. This could be the symbolic mountain slope that the Sun climbs to Midsummer and descends again after Midsummer. In Nature, growth turns into maturation, the energy of growth is transformed into securing the survival of the species. The mountainside can also represent the ritual held by our ancestors in earlier times. They let a burning wheel roll down the mountain and young men would run behind it to show their strength.

Midsummer Celebration

During a Midsummer celebration you honour the Sun for its vigour and warmth. This is a time to gain energy and vigour before the harvest bustle begins again on August 1. You can celebrate this in many ways. For example, by wearing a flower wreath to absorb the sun’s power. You can also have a large barbecue with family and friends. What’s totally special is to stay awake the night of June 20-21 and to sit outside around a fire that burns safely in a fire pit and watch (together) the sunrise. The fire that burns during Midsummer is considered sacred. Our ancestors mixed the ashes with the food for their animals to protect the cattle against disaster and diseases. Remains of the fire were also placed in the indoors hearth. Everything that came into contact with the Midsummer Fire was considered empowered by the Power of the Sun.

Midsummer Colours

The colours of Midsummer are the colours that you can see in Nature, such as yellow, white, red, pink, blue, orange, green, purple and gold.

Midsummer Incense

Make a mixture of equal parts of Thyme, Rosemary, Basil and Reed. Add to this Rose petals, Marigold, Linden blossom, Lavender, Mint and St. John’s Wort and burn this in your Summer fire or sprinkle it over the still smoldering coals after a cosy barbecue.

Midsummer Herbs

Midsummer Herbs are the herbs you can harvest now, such as Lavender, St. John’s Wort, Catnip, Daisies, Yarrow, Chamomile, Mugwort, Wild Marjoram, Rosemary, Rose, Verbena and Clover and many more. Before using herbs in food or tea or herbal water, check thoroughly whether they can be safely consumed.

Midsummer Crystals

Amber, Lapis Lazuli, Citrine, Tiger Eye, Carnelian, Garnet, Ruby

Herb Bouquet or Wraith

A very nice thing to make with Midsummer is a Herb Bouquet or Wraith. In Dutch it’s an old custom and we call it a Kruidenwis. I couldn’t find a translation of the word Kruidenwis, so if you have a similar custom, please let me know how you call it. A Herb Bouquet is made around Midsummer, because then the herbs are full of Solar Power. This was seen by our ancestors as magical and beneficial. You make the bouquet or wraith with 7 or 9 herb varieties. When you pick the herbs, first ask the herbs if you can pick it and thank the herbs for that. When you pick the herbs this way, you will find yourself being led from one herb to another. When you have all your herbs, you can make a nice bouquet, like in the picture, or use them in a wreath.

This bouquet or wraith is then traditionally consecrated over a (safe) fire with symbols of the elements around it. You walk clockwise with your bouquet or wraith from the North and ask if the Elements will bless your bouquet or wraith:

  • put it on a bowl willed with earth or a beautiful crystal, which you prefer best;
  • hold it above the smoke of your favourite incense or use a feather to fan the smoke of your incense towards it;
  • gently hold it over an anointed tea light or an altar candle;
  • sprinkle it with water or place it on a beautiful shell and

Finally, ask the Summer Fire to bless your bouquet or wraith. If you have a Herb Bouquet or Wraith from last year, you can put that in the Summer Fire and with the smoke from your old bouquet or wraith you will bless the new one.

After this consecration and blessing, you will hang your Herb Bouquet or Wraith in a central place in your house where it will protect your home, fireplace and family for a year against negative external influences. Extra meaning is added when you look at which herbs you have chosen and what they stand for. This also makes the bouquet or wraith a powerful advisor. If you find that difficult, please let me know, I will be happy to help you.

Midsummer Sun Catcher

Both the Dream Catcher and the Sun Catcher come from the Native Americans. According to ancient myths, a Dream Catcher catches dreams or keeps nightmares away, so a Sun Catcher captures the sunlight and with that solar power and solar energy. In addition, the Sun Catcher repels the darkness. The Sun Catcher consists of objects that sparkle in the Sun, reflect the sunlight or bring a rainbow of light into the room. When the sunlight enters the room or space by sparkle, shimmer, reflection or color, it gives the energy and power of the Sun to that space.

I think the Sun Catcher is therefore a wonderful power object. Not only in Summer, when the Sun is at his peak, but during all phases of the year. In Spring the Sun Catcher brings the growing sparkling energy of Spring, in Autumn it brings the soft, contented energy of abundance and the late Summer Sun of Autumn and during Winter it brings towards Yule the hope of the returning Light and after Yule the increasing light with the associated energy. Looking at the colours, sparkling and reflections of the Sun, whether the Sun Catcher is hanging indoors or outdoors, is meditative and cheerful. Highly recommended to make ♥

Midsummer Divination

Midsummer is a great time to practice your divination. You are mid-year and the harvest is upon you. What else can you still work on? What could better be released by you to make room for something new? What is hidden in you that may come into the light? Here are 2 readings that can help you with contemplation and self-reflection.

What else could you do?

  • view the sunrise and sunset;
  • divine with your favourite tarot or oracle deck;
  • decorate your Midsummer altar with Midsummer herbs, crystals and flowers in Midsummer colours;
  • make your own Midsummer incense from equal parts of Thyme, Rosemary, Basil and Reed. Add to this Rose petals, Marigold, Linden blossom, Lavender, Mint, St. John’s Wort and burn this in your Summer fire or sprinkle it over the still smouldering coals after a nice barbecue;
  • if you prefer oils, Midsummer Oil is fun to make: mix 2 parts of Lavender oil, 1 part of Thyme oil and 2 parts of Rose oil. Shake well and let it absorb. If you want this as a skin oil, mix it with 10 ml carrier oil such as almond oil or rice oil;
  • make a bonfire the night before Midsummer and stay up with friends, family or yourself and watch the sunrise;
  • take a walk through the forest and fields and admire all the beauty of Mother Nature;
  • harvest herbs during noon (1200 hours am);
  • dress up and re-enact the duel between the Oak King and the Holly King and afterwards party together till sunrise;
  • make smudge sticks from your harvested herbs and hang them to dry;
  • make a lemon cake or orange biscuits;
  • enjoy a Summer picnic with a delicious jug of herbal water or herbal tea from freshly picked herbs (always check that you have the right herbs and that they can be safely consumed.

Merry, happy and sunny Midsommer everyone♥

With love,
Elke )O( The Alder Sscrolls /|\ 2020 ©

Sources:

)O( SelfCoaching /|\