The Sabbat of Litha

Litha (MidSummer)

Summer Solstice, June 21st, dependent on actual astronomical event
Lesser Sabbat

God and Goddess:
Litha is the Sabbat which celebrates the warmth and light of the summer Sun for this is the time of the year when the God rides at His peak in the sky. It is the time to celebrate the ending of the waxing year (represented by “The Oak King” aspect of the God) and the beginning of the waning year (represented by His “Holly King”aspect). We, as Wiccans, honor the Goddess in her Mother aspect as She is heavy with pregnancy from her mating with the God at Beltane. Faeries are especially abundant at this time and it is customary to leave offerings to them.

General:
The word Litha is Anglo-Saxon and is derived from “aerra litha” which means “before summer.”
Held on the longest day of the year, the Solstice is the celebration of light’s triumph over darkness and that of the bountiful beauty that light brings into life. As a spiritual holiday, the Mid-Summer festival is a time to honor your elders. Education provides each of us with great knowledge, but experiences beget wisdom. Some think of this day as Grandparents day, a time when you care for or do something special for your Grand Parents as you do for your mother on Mother's Day. If your grandparents are no longer here, then consider visiting a retirement or nursing home.
It is also a time to prepare for the late summer growing season. Place a rooting plant in a new pot with fresh soil allowing it to settle into a new home before the cold months arrive.

In History: 

Going back to the New Stone Age (about 8,000 years ago), stone circles such as Stonehenge were used to mark the position of the rising sun at the Midsummer Solstice. The sun would rise over a heel stone and cast a long, phallic shadow into the heart of the circle, symbolically consummating the marriage of Heaven (the sky) and Earth.
Like Ostara, the Mid-Summer festival was not one of the original Sabbats honored in early Celtic shamanistic days before and during the realm of the Druids. In that context it is a relatively new celebration honoring the abundance of summer and ringing in the waning celestial year. The holiday is more of a Welsh tradition that has been slowly incorporated into many craft traditions.
For sure there were most probably festivals in early Celtic days. After all the solstice is an important time of the growing season. But this holiday probably got it's start from Bendigeid Vran (also known as Bran) who is often associated with this holiday as the representation of the Holly King. Bendigeid is often confused with Brân, who is not a God, but a Hero of Ireland.
Bendigeid was the son of the giant Llyr and Penardun and patron of Britain. His name means 'raven', which is often associated as a messenger from the Great Spirits. Not always a messenger of forbidding events. Bendigeid legend begins when he gave his sister Branwen to Matholwch, King of Ireland. As a wedding present he gave them a magik cauldron. Unfortunately, while in Britain, Matholwch was insulted by Bendigeid's half-brother, Efnisein. After Matholwch returned to Ireland with his new bride, he took his revenge for Efnisein's insult out on Branwen. Hearing of his sisters distress and suffering, Bendigeid crossed from Wales into Ireland and a mighty battle erupted.
At first Matholwch held the upper hand as a result of the magik cauldron. At the end of a days fighting, he ordered the collection of the dead. He placed each soldier into the cauldron which restored them to health and a new day of battles. Sneaking into the Irish encampment during a fierce day of fighting, Efnisein was able to destroy the cauldron. It was not long before Bendigeid's army gained the upper hand and won the day. Bendigeid was mortally wounded by a poisoned dart however and ordered his men to cut off his head and bury it on White Mount in London. The head was to be placed facing North as a magikal guardian for Britain. Bendigeid becomes the wise old king who forever more watches over his realm. It is this last act that associates Bendigeid as the wise Holly King.
The God comes in two forms in this festival as the Oak (often associated with Bel who is honored during Bealtaine) and the Holly King (Bendigeid). Just as these two battled for supremacy during Yule, they begin their battle again during the Summer Solstice. There are two views of this story. The first says the Holly King wins and the days begin to get shorter and slowly the world moves into winter. The other says the battle just begins, but the Oak King fights to hold on to the Sun and warmth. In this version the battle continues through the summer and is seen in the summer lightening storms as the two Kings fight in the skies. It's not until August and the time of Lughnasadh that the Holly King wins the war to represent the waning of the celestial year.

Traditions:

In some ancient pagan traditions this is also the time to communicate with the Faery Folk. Customs suggests that on this night the nature fairies interact and mingle among humans. If you are kind to them, they may grant a wish or two if you ask. Of course you need to show a little appreciation in return by leaving a plate of food and drink for them in your garden. If you don't have a garden, a flower box will do as well. But leave the plate out for them all night, as Faery folk often fly around and need to replenish their tummies to keep going.
Faery Gardens have become very popular. Making one for your resident Faery folk to help celebrate Litha.

Celebration:
On the day of the solstice, begin your day with a small blessing ritual. Thanking the Oak King for the blessing he has brought to you thus far. Focus this ritual on just the Oak King. Spend the morning harvesting your early summer vegetables. Or take a drive to the country and a fresh farm market. You'll be looking for corn on the cob, green beans, cantaloupe, watermelon and strawberries. Take your grandparents along for the trip and talk with them about how life was when they were children.
Prepare a simple feast for the evening. A light chicken salad with the fruits and vegetables you collected during the day would be a good example. Try to share this meal with your elders as a special thank you for their company and great wisdom. Make sure you listen to their stories and parables. You can learn much from these folks.
In the past, bonfires were leapt to encourage fertility, purification, health and love. Midsummer is a classic time for magick of all kinds.

Ritual Ideas:
For the individual, and like all Sabbats, this is a time of reflection. Taking stock of the celestial year that to date, and making note of where you are. What plans have worked and what might be altered in order to meet your goals for the year.
Recharging Magickal Tools
At Litha, the sun is at its highest point in the sky. Its power reaches its apex, and we celebrate the raw energy of the sun on the longest day of the year. Because this is the high point of the sun's journey, it is a day of great magical potential. Take advantage of this natural power, harness it, and use it to recharge your magickal tools.
1. To do this simple ritual, all you'll need is an altar or work space, and your magical tools that need to be recharged. Perform this ritual at noon, outside, on the day of the summer solstice or as near to it as possible. If you can't do it at noon, at least try to perform the rite before the sun sets. If your tradition requires you to cast a circle, or create sacred space, now is the time do so.
2. Lay all the tools that need recharging on the altar or your workspace. Take a moment to stand in the sunlight, feeling its warmth upon your face. Think about the power of the sun -- it has been a symbol of light and hope and rebirth for thousands of years. Feel its energy as the sunlight shines overhead, and take some time to absorb as much of that energy as you can.
3. When you are ready, hold the first tool in your hands, and hold it up to the sunlight. Say:
O mighty sun!
I call upon your energy, your strength, your power!
I use your fire to make this tool sacred and strong.
May the power of the sun live each day in this tool.
May the fire of the sun blaze each day in this tool.
May the warmth of the sun carry on each day in this tool.
As I will, so it shall be.
4. Hold the tool up so that it may absorb the sun's rays. You may even feel it begin to warm, and that's okay, it's perfectly normal. When you're ready, lower the tool. Repeat the process with your other magical items, until you are finished. Once you have blessed all of your tools, open the circle and allow them to stay outside in the sun for a while, absorbing the energy and power. Bring them in before sunset (remember, some items shouldn’t be left out in the hot sun, like candles!).
5. Note: If, for some reason, you are unable to do this ritual outside, or during the day time, you have a couple of other options as a substitute for sunlight. Remember, the sun is the ultimate representation of Fire -- which means you can use a candle, a tabletop brazier, or even your fireplace for this ritual instead
Tips:
If the summer solstice happens to fall around the time of a full moon, feel free to leave your tools outside overnight for an added boost!

Litha Correspondences

Element:

Fire

Threshold:

Evening/Dawn

Herbs: 

Anise, mugwort, chamomile, rose, wild rose, oak, blossoms, lily, cinquefoil, lavender, fennel, elder, mistletoe, hemp, thyme, larkspur, nettle, wisteria, verbena, St. John’s Wort, heartsease, rue, fern, wormwood, pine, heather, yarrow, oak, holly trees.

Gemstones:

Lapis lazuli, diamond, tiger’s eye, all green gemstones, especially emerald, and jade.

Incense/Oil:

Heliotrope, saffron, orange, frankincense, myrrh, wisteria, cinnamon, mint, rose, lemon, lavender, sandalwood, pine.

Colors/Candles:

Blue, green , gold, yellow, and red

Animals/Mythical:

Wren, robin, horses, cattle, satyrs, faeries, firebird, dragon, thunderbird.

Tools/Symbols/Decorations:

The sun, oak, birch and fir branches, sunflowers, lilies, gold flower, love amulets, seashells, summer fruits and flowers, feather/flower door wreath, sun wheel, fire, circles of stone, sun dials, and sword/blades, bird feathers.

Goddesses:

Venus, Aphrodite, Yemaya, Astarte, Freya, Hathor, Ishtar.

Gods:

Oak King, Holly King, Arthur, gods of power and strength, Gods of the Sun.

Essence:

Fire, partnership, nourishment, relationships, nurturing.

Dynamics/Meaning:

Crowning of the sun god, death of the oak king, assumption of the Holly King, end the ordeal of the Green Man.

Purpose:

Rededication to the Lord and Lady, beginning of the harvest, Honoring the Sun God, Honoring the pregnant goddess.

Rituals/Magicks:

Nature spirits, plant healing, divination, love and protection magicks.

Customs:

Bonfires, singing, feasting, celebrating with other, dowsing rods and wands, herb gathering, handfasting, weddings, richness, abundance, garlands of St. John’s wort placed over doors/windows and a sprig in the car for protection.

Foods:

Honey, fresh vegetables, lemons, oranges, summer fruits, summer squash, pumpernickel bread, ale, carrot drinks, mead.