hallowitchy

Full moon: June 21st

New moon: June 6th

Sabbats: Litha/Summer Solstice- June 20th

June Strawberry Moon

Known as: Aerra Litha, Birth Moon, Blooming Moon, Brachmanoth, Dyad Moon, Egg Laying Moon, Green Corn Moon, Hatching Moon, Hoer Moon, Honey Moon, Lovers Moon, Mead Moon, Moon of Horses, Moon of Making Fat, Partner Moon, Rose Moon & Strong Sun Moon

Element: Earth

Zodiac: Gemini & Cancer

Nature spirits: Sylphs & Zephyrs

Deities: Aine of Knockaine, Bendis, Cerridwen, Green Man, Ishtar, Isis, Neith & Persephone

Animals: Butterfly, frog, monkey & toad

Birds: Peacock & wren

Trees: Maple & Oak

Herbs: Dog grass, meadowsweet, moss, mugwort, parsley, skullcap & vervain

Flowers: Lavender, orchid, tansy & yarrow

Scents: Lavender & lily of the valley

Stones:  Agate, Alexandrite, cat's eye, chrysoberyl, emerald, fluorite, garnet, moonstone, ruby & topaz

Colors: Gold, green, orange & yellow

Energy:  Abundance, balance, change of residence, communication, decision making, education, family relations, full & restful energy, love, marriage, prosperity, positive transformation, prevention, protection, public relations, relationships, responsibility, strength, tides turning, travel & writing

While strawberries certainly are a reddish-pink color and are roundish in shape, the origin of the name “Strawberry Moon” has nothing to do with the Moon’s hue or appearance.

• June's full Moon is typically the last full moon of spring or the first of summer. The June Full Moon will be extraordinary. For the first time since 1985, Full Moon happens precisely on the summer solstice, when the Sun is highest up. Because the Full Moon is always opposite the Sun, this year, you will see that the Moon is 10 widths lower on the horizon than the Sun ever is. 

This “Strawberry Moon” name has been used by Native American Algonquian tribes that live in the northeastern United States as well as the Ojibwe, Dakota, and Lakota peoples to mark the ripening of “June-bearing” strawberries that are ready to be gathered. The Haida term Berries Ripen Moon reflects this as well. As flowers bloom and early fruit ripens, June is a time of great abundance for many.

Litha

Known as: Alban Heruin, Summer Solstice & Whit Sunday

Season: Summer

Element: Fire

Symbols: Besom, fairies, God's eyes, sunflowers & symbols of the sun

Colors: Blue, gold, green, orange, red, tan & yellow

Oils/Incense: Cinnamon, frankincense, heliotrope, lavender, lemon, lily of the valley, mint, musk, myrrh, orange, orange pine, pine, rose, saffron, sandalwood & wisteria

Animals: Cattle, crab, horse & octopus

Birds: Goldfinch, kingfisher, meadowlark, owl, robin & wren

Mythical: Fairies

Stones: Bloodstone, diamond, emerald, jade, lapis lazuli & tiger's eye

Food: Ale, bread, cheese, edible flowers, garden fresh vegetables & fruit, lemons, meade, milk, oranges, pumpernickel bread, summer squash & wine

Herbs/Plants: Anise, basil, betony, cinquefoil, copal, elder, fennel, fern, frankincense, galangal, hemp, ivy, larkspur, lemon, lemon balm, mistletoe, mugwort, mullien, nettle, orange, orpin, plantain, rue, saffron, sandalwood, St.John's wort, thyme, verbena, vervain, wild thyme & ylang-ylang

Flowers: Carnation, chamomile, daisy, heather, heliotrope, honeysuckle, lavender, lily, marigold, orchid, rose, wisteria & yarrow

Trees: Elder, holly, laurel, linden, oak & pine

Goddesses: Amaterasu, Aine, Anahita, Dea, Cerde, Dag, Dana, Eiru, Fenne, Gwydion, Kupala, Mabd, Phoebe, Skhmet & Sul

Gods: Apollo, Baal, Balder, Bel, The Dagda, Donnus, El, The Green Man, Helios, Huon, Jupiter, Llew, Loki, Lugh, Maui, Mithras, Oak/Holly King, Ogmios, Ra, Surya, Thor & Zeus

Issues, Intentions & Powers: Agriculture, changes, divination, ending, fertility, life, light, manifestation, power, purpose, strength, success & unity

Spellwork: Fire & water magick

Activities:

• Charge and cleanse your crystals in the solstice sun

• Make Sun water

• Create crafts with natural elements such as flowers

• Burn a paper with things that no longer serve you or that you are trying to let go

•  Invite friends & family over for a bonfire and/or feast

• Gather & dry herbs for the upcoming year

• Clean, decorate & cleanse your altar with summer symbols

• Brew some sun tea

• Take a ritual bath/shower with flowers

• Make your own sun dial

• Craft a door wreath out of flowers & herbs

• Enjoy some sunrise/sunset yoga

• Volunteer at a food kitchen or animal shelter

• Plant trees (especially ones that may provide fruit or berries to feed the wildlife)

• Watch the sunset & say a blessing to nature

• Make flower infused anointing/spell oils

• Eat fresh fruits & berries

• Participate in a handfasting

• Create shadow art

The history of Litha reveals its deep connections to ancient agricultural societies & their reliance on the sun's power. Celebrated as part of the Wheel of the Year, Litha symbolizes the balance between light & darkness. Throughout history  customs such as bonfires, herb gathering & the construction of sunwheels have marked this festival. Today, Litha continues to be celebrated by various communities, with gatherings at sacred sites & private rituals in natural settings. It serves as a reminder of our connection with nature and the cycles of life.

• The traditions of Litha appear to be borrowed from many cultures. Most ancient cultures celebrated the summer solstice in some way such as the Celts celebrated Litha with hilltop bonfires & dancing. Many people attempted to jump over or through the bonfires for good luck. Other European traditions included setting large wheels on fire & rolling them down a hill into a body of water.

Litha is often associated with Midsummer, a celebration that extends beyond the pagan and Wiccan traditions. Midsummer festivities are observed in many cultures around the world, including Scandinavian countries where it holds a prominent place in their cultural heritage. Midsummer dances, bonfires, & feasts are integral parts of these celebrations, often accompanied by folklore and traditional rituals that honor the sun's energy and the abundance of nature during this time.

The summer solstice is the longest day of the year & in some traditions, Litha is when The Sun(The God) is symbolically at it's peak time of power & the World will soon be ripe to harvest. It is also when The Goddess is pregnant with The God who is to be reborn at Yule.

• In the Northern Hemisphere the Summer Solstice occurs when the Sun reaches its highest and northernmost points in the sky. It marks the start of summer in the northern half of the globe. (In contrast, the June solstice in the Southern Hemisphere is when the Sun is at its lowest point in the sky, marking the start of winter.)

Some also believe the history & spirit of Litha revolve around two deities, The Oak King & The Holly King. In Wiccan and Neo-Pagan traditions, each King rules the Earth for half of the year. From Yule to Litha, the Oak King rules. On Litha, the two battled for the crown and it is then that the Holly King triumphs. The Holly King will rule through fall until Yule, and the cycle will begin again.

Related festivals:

• Vestalia- June 7th -15th

Was a Roman religious festival in honor of Vesta, the goddess of the hearth & the burning continuation of the sacred fire of Rome. It was held from 7–15 June & was reserved as a women's-only event. Domestic & family life in general were represented by the festival of the goddess of the house & of the spirits of the storechamber — Vesta & the Penates .

On the first day of festivities the penus Vestae (sanctum sanctorum of the temple of Vesta which was usually curtained off) was opened for the only time during the year, at which women offered sacrifices. As long as the curtain remained open, mothers could come, barefoot and disheveled, to leave offerings to the goddess in exchange for a blessing to them and their family.

For the last day, the penus Vestae was solemnly closed, the Flaminica Dialis observed mourning & the temple was subjected to a purification called stercoratio: the filth was swept from the temple and carried next by the route called clivus Capitolinus and then into the Tiber.

Sources:

Farmersalmanac .com

Llewellyn's Complete Book of Correspondences by Sandra Kines

Wikipedia

A Witch's Book of Correspondences by Viktorija Briggs

Encyclopedia britannica

The Summer Solstice, also known as Litha, Alban Hefin, or Midsummer, is one of the most significant and ancient celebrations in pagan and Druidic calendars. This festival marks the longest day of the year, a time when the sun is at its peak and the Earth is brimming with life and energy. Let’s delve deeper into the origins of this enchanting celebration and explore ways to honor and celebrate it with joy and reverence.

The Origins of Litha, Alban Hefin, and Midsummer

Litha is a term derived from the Old English word "liða," referring to the gentle and warm months of summer. The term was popularized by modern Pagan and Wiccan traditions to celebrate the Summer Solstice. Litha is a time to honor the sun, the Earth’s fertility, and the abundance of life. The festival itself draws from ancient Anglo-Saxon traditions where midsummer was a significant period for community gatherings and celebrating the peak of agricultural productivity.

Alban Hefin, meaning "Light of the Shore" or "Light of Summer" in Welsh, is the Druidic name for the Summer Solstice. The Druids, who were the priestly class in ancient Celtic cultures, held profound respect for nature and its cycles. For the Druids, Alban Hefin was a time to celebrate the power and life-giving energy of the sun. The Celts believed that the sun was at the height of its power and used this time to seek blessings for fertility, health, and prosperity. The festival also symbolized the balance and interconnectedness of life, as the sun’s peak also marked the turning point towards the darker half of the year.

Midsummer has deep roots in European traditions, pre-dating Christianity. In ancient agricultural societies, Midsummer was celebrated as a pivotal time of the year. The Celts, Norse, and many other cultures held feasts, bonfires, and various rituals to honor the height of summer and to ensure a bountiful harvest. The Christian church later adopted and adapted many Midsummer traditions, aligning them with the feast of St. John the Baptist on June 24th. Despite this, many of the original pagan customs have survived and continue to be practiced today.

​Celebrating Litha, Alban Hefin, and Midsummer Celebrating this time of year can be a joyful and enriching experience, filled with traditions and activities that honor the sun, the Earth, and the cycles of nature. Here are some ways to celebrate Litha, Alban Hefin, or Midsummer:

Rise with the Sun

Start the day by watching the sunrise. Find a beautiful natural setting, such as a hilltop or a beach, and gather with loved ones to greet the sun. Reflect on its energy and the light it brings into your life. Ancient Druids would often gather at sacred sites like Stonehenge, where the sunrise aligns perfectly with the stones.

Create a Sun Altar

Build an altar dedicated to the sun. Use yellow, gold, and orange decorations, candles, and sun symbols. Adorn the altar with seasonal flowers, herbs, and fruits. This can be a focal point for meditation, offerings, and reflection throughout the day. The altar can also include representations of the sun gods and goddesses from various cultures, such as Ra, Apollo, or Helios.

Host a Midsummer Feast

Prepare a feast using fresh, seasonal produce. Include dishes made from fruits, vegetables, and herbs that are abundant at this time of year. Share the meal outdoors if possible, basking in the warmth of the sun. Incorporate traditional foods such as honey, bread, and mead. In ancient times, communities would come together to share in the bounty of the harvest, strengthening communal bonds.

Light a Bonfire

Bonfires are a central element of Midsummer celebrations. Fire symbolizes the sun's power and its life-giving energy. Gather around the fire with friends and family, sing songs, share stories, and enjoy the communal warmth. Jumping over the bonfire is a traditional practice believed to bring good luck and purification. This custom dates back to ancient times when fire was seen as a protective and purifying force.

Engage in Nature Activities

Spend time in nature, appreciating its beauty and abundance. Go for a hike, have a picnic, swim in a natural body of water, or simply relax in a sunlit meadow. Encourage children to create nature crafts, such as flower crowns or sun catchers. In many cultures, gathering herbs and flowers at Midsummer is believed to be particularly potent for healing and magic.

Hold a Solstice Ritual

Conduct a simple ritual to honor the Solstice. This can include lighting candles, reciting poems or prayers, and making offerings to the Earth and the sun. Reflect on your personal growth and set intentions for the coming months. Druids might conduct rituals that include offerings to the spirits of the land and prayers for protection and prosperity.

Meditate and Reflect

Use this time for personal meditation and reflection. Find a quiet spot in nature or near your sun altar. Meditate on themes of light, growth, and balance. Contemplate your journey so far and the path ahead, embracing the energy of the sun to inspire and guide you. The Solstice is a powerful time for setting new goals and letting go of what no longer serves you.

Celebrate with Music and Dance

Music and dance are integral parts of many Midsummer celebrations. Play instruments, sing, and dance around the bonfire or in an open field. Create a playlist of uplifting, sun-themed songs to enjoy throughout the day. Traditional dances, such as the Morris dance in England, are often performed to celebrate the vitality of summer.

Plant a Solstice Garden

Start a garden to symbolize growth and renewal. Plant herbs, flowers, or vegetables that thrive in the summer sun. Involve children in planting and caring for the garden, teaching them about the cycles of nature and the importance of nurturing life. Herbs such as St. John's Wort, traditionally harvested at Midsummer, are believed to have powerful healing properties.

Litha, Alban Hefin, and Midsummer are times of celebration, reflection, and connection. These traditions, rooted in ancient practices, offer a way to honor the sun, the Earth, and the cycles of life. By gathering with friends and family, creating meaningful rituals, and spending time in nature, you can embrace the spirit of the Solstice and carry its light within you throughout the year. Celebrate with joy, gratitude, and a deep appreciation for the abundant gifts of the season.