Litha 2019

Litha (Date: on the summer solstice, Jun 20-23)

A Sabbat for celebrating the longest day of the year, as well as for mourning the shortening days after. Some Witches burn bonfires or light candles to represent the Sun.

Litha (pronounced “LEE-THA”) is known also as the Summer Solstice, and Midsummer. It is a Sun and fire festival that marks the longest day and shortest night of the year. In the Wiccan Wheel of the Year, the height of the summer and the height of the God’s powers are celebrated on Litha. It is one of the Germanic festivals of the year and was most likely not observed by the Celts. The Christian holiday of St John’s Day coincides with the summer solstice, its date is the 24th of June. The summer solstice is still widely celebrated in Sweden, where it is known as Midsommar. In Finland we have Juhannus. This is my first Litha post so I will give you bunch of information.

This years Litha was amazing, we were in sauna every night, ate so much I couldn´t move, I practiced my poi (fire thing) tricks, I cleaned, took pictures, we listened music, I read books, did some sketchings, picked flowers and made a flower crown and we just enjoyed our surroundings and chilled. Sometimes you don´t need much, you don´t need to talk. You just need to smell, see and feel the summer and nature vibes. I picked so much things to our trip but ended up doing nothing in the end most of the time. I couldn´t have been any more happier. I wish I would be still in our little cabin in our little island. I hope we get there soon again. Try not to be without your phones, computers or tv´s for a while, you end up being happier. Connect with the Mother Earth, I bet you will enjoy it.

The Midsummer sunset was creating such a macigkal light, no edits needed

Earlier Sabbats:

Lughnasadh 2018 English

Lughnasa 2012 Finnish

Imbolc 2018 English

Beltane 2013 both

Beltane 2012 both

Beltane 2011 mostly Finnish

Oestara 2013 both

Oestara 2012 Finnish and second Oestara post in English

Yule 2011 Finnish

Yule 2010 Finnish

Samhain 2011 Finnish

Mabon 2011 both

Historic Litha/Summer Solstice Traditions:

-Traditions in ancient/pre-Christian Rome:

In the run up to and during the Summer Solstice, ancient Romans celebrated and honored the goddess of the hearth, Vesta, during an aptly named festival - Vestalia. During this festival, alongside generic merriment (eating and drinking), women would leave offerings for Vesta in her temples hoping to bring blessings to their families.

-Traditions in ancient/pre-Christian Greece:

Around the Summer Solstice a festival named Kronia was held to honor and celebrate the god of agriculture, Cronus. It was a time of merriment and feasting, and during this time the social structures of Greece were flipped on their head: slaves were not required to fulfill their duties as slaves and were allowed to enjoy the festival alongside those of higher standing. 

-Traditions in ancient/pre-Christian Europe: 

In Europe, it was customary in many faiths and religious circles (including Slavic, Celtic, and Germanic) to celebrate the Summer Solstice with bonfires. Bonfires were believed to bolster the energy of the Sun and ensure a bountiful harvest come the end of the harvest season. The fires were believed to drive away and banish negative energies and evil spirits. 

Bonfires

In the UK, bonfires used to play a central role in the celebration of the summer solstice and St John’s Day. The etymology of the word “bonfire” is unclear. Possible origins are “bone”, “boon” (a gift of goodwill), “bane”, or the Old Norse “baun”, which means “beacon”.

In 14th century Shropshire, three fires were lit on Midsummer Night:

A bonfire made out of bones

A wakefire made out of wood

A St John’s fire made out of both

The bonfires were for protection and luck, since crops are especially vulnerable to diseases and bad weather at the time of the festival.

Wheel of Fire

Another tradition at the summer solstice is the Wheel of Fire. A haystack was lit and rolled down a hill. If it burned all the way down, a good harvest was to come. A text from 4th century France first mentions the custom. By the 19th century, it was widespread in Europe. (Here is a short video of a similar German tradition that gives you an idea of what it looks like.)

Plant Magic

Litha has always been a potent date for plant magic. St John’s Day celebrations often included processions were flowers were carried. In 16th century London, doors were decorated with birch twigs, fennel, St John’s wort, orpins, and white lillies.

Source: Hutton, Ronald, The Stations of the Sun (Oxford : Oxford University Press, 1997)

Activities: 

-Take a bath with gold/yellow bath bombs or corresponding herbs and flowers. 

-Sunbathe.

-Leave offerings for the Fae. 

-Try divination using fire scrying. 

-Meditate in the morning (or when ever)

-Listen to happy music

-Light yellow and orange candles

-Make rose oil

-Pick flowers and herbs

-Bake a cake, cookies or make other sweets

-Eat them with your loved ones

-Surround yourself with light

-Wear or make flower crowns

-Cleanse your room/home with light

-Clean out cobwebs

-Admire Summer: Whether it’s a hot, bright summer day or a summer storm, enjoy the Solstice! Stop to smell the flowers, bask in the weather and full bloom of nature, or just enjoy the longest day of the year. 

-Make a fire when it’s dark (or light a candle or incense if you can’t do that). As Fire is the primary element, simply lighting a candle is a great way to celebrate! Some choose to light it during the day and allow it to burn throughout the day. But it is way better to watch your fire and not get your place on fire, so don´t leave your candles alone! Praying to the candle is another aspect to consider. Bonus if you a light a candle that is made from beeswax!

-Use Summer herbs.

-Color-coordinate and accessorize: Yellows, oranges, and other similar summer colors are a low-key way to celebrate. Wear these colored clothing or accessories in celebration. If you have accessories or clothing that have butterflies, bees, other pollinators, and birds, even better! Got sun-theme jewelry? Also good! Wear warm colors or any bright color that makes you happy and what makes your own light shine!

-Watch the sunrise/sunset: Many suggest watching the sunrise on Litha, and others say watch the sunset. Your choice! Just enjoy the beautiful colors and scenery of a sunrise/sunset.

-Focus on yourself: Figure out what you want to let go. We’re 6 months in and it’s time for a review. Are you happy? Are there things you can let go of? Take the time to review yourself, your path, and your life. See what you want out of your life and make a plan to achieve it.

-Celebrate love: Love yourself, your family, your friends, and/or your partner. Single? Say a prayer to search for love. Cast a love-magnet spell, or a self-love spell. Hell, do some divination on the topic of love (romantic, platonic, and/or familial) Most importantly, express your love. Do things that promote self-love. Tell your family, friends, and/or partner you love them. 

-Do something outside! Litha is the longest day of the year, so go into nature and spend some of those hours doing something you enjoy. 

-If you have an altar, decorate it to celebrate. Use the symbols and colours and other things listed in this post to decorate your altar for the sabbat.

-Have a bonfire! You can have a big one, or a little one, but bonfires have been a big part of celebrating Litha for as long as we know. The bonfires are cleansing, energising and purifying.

Herbs/Flowers/Scents: 

Daisies, Marigolds, Carnations, Sunflowers, Chamomile, Parsley, Frankincense, Lemon, Lily, Hydrangea, Orchids, Sandalwood, Thyme, Sage, Peonies, Mint, Myrrh, Pink /White Roses, Red Clover, Chili Powder, Chamomile, Cumin, Arnika, Valerian, Mugwort, Yarrow, Verbena, Clover, Bay,

Chicory (Endive), Cinquefoil, Elderflower, Eyebright, Fennel, Lavender, Mistletoe, Pine, St. John’s Wort, Vervain, Oak, Lemon, Heliotrope.

Colors: 

Gold.

Yellow.

Orange.

Red.

Green.

Blue.

Light Pink

White

Light Green

Trees: 

Oak.

Decorations: 

Candles.

Sea shells.

Herbs.

Flowers.

Crystals.

Feathers.

Oak leaves.

Symbols of the sun.

Food:

Seasonal foods are always the best for sabbats.

Seasonal fruits (especially berries)

Cheese

Sweet cake

Fruit salad (any kind of salad actually)

Honey

Fruit tea

Chicken

Sunflower seeds

Lemonade

Chili

Chickweed

Samphire

Nettles

Sorrel

Watercress

Wild rocket

Horseradish

Chives

Wild fennel

Elderflowers

Wild mushrooms

Artichoke

Asparagus

Aubergine

Beetroot

Broad Beans

Cabbage

Carrots

Courgette

Garlic

Lettuce

Onions

Potatoes

Turnips

Fruit & veg

Herbed bread

Honey cakes

Pork

Ice tea

Oils and Scents:

Rose

Lemon

Cinnamon

Honeysuckle

Orange

Crystals:

Moon Stone, Amethyst, Tiger Eye, Red Jasper, Citrine, Fluorite, Agate, Carnelian, Sunstone, Aventurine, Topaz, Jade.,Garnet,Fire opal., Pyrite, All green stones (esp. jade and emerald), Diamond, Quartz, Fluorite, Pearl

SYMBOLS:

Fire.

The Sun.

Blades/Knives.

Mistletoe.

Oak trees.

Oak leaves.

Bonfire/Balefire.

Sun wheels.

SPELLS & MAGIC[K]:

Litha is a time for abundance, cleansing, creativity, divination; fertility; growth; healing; power; and manifestation. Any magic[k]al workings pertaining to these will be appropriate during this sabbat. Your workings may be somewhat amplified during thie time of heightened magic[k].

Spells to Do:

Happiness and Joy

Love

Success

Luck

Personal Growth

Glamour and Beauty

Campfire ritual

-Perform ritual at midnight preferably on a full moon

-Make a campfire in a safe area (check the weather broadcast!), or alternatively light a white candle. have a bucket of water nearby just in case.

-Leave out an offering (food, drink, flowers) for the local spirits near the fire.

-Play music or sing and dance around the fire (naked is good). empty your mind and let there only be music.

-Speak a prayer to your ancestors. ask, if you have questions.

-Listen to the sounds of nature in silence.

-Put off the fire before leaving the spot.

Altar ideas: 

Symbols of the Sun and the Moon, feminine and masculine symbols if that’s a thing in your tradition; decorate with black and white to symbolize the night and day.

Celebration ideas: Get up before the Sun rises and go to sleep after it sets, so you can experience the day and night; have a bonfire (again, safety is important); have a picnic; just spend a lot of time outside.

Litha Altar Decorations

- Lots and lots of flowers that grow native in your area this time of year

- Sunflowers, roses, lavender, dandelions

- Flower crowns and flower garlands

- A bowl of fruit and vegetables, especially anything citrus like oranges 

- Lots of candles (Litha is a fire sabbat)

- Colours like yellow, gold, and orange

- You could have a vase of sticks with fairy lights in it to represent a bonfire

- Maypoles are still a thing for Litha

- A cute offering dish to leave out sweets for the fae

- A jar of local honey

- Anything that represents the sun

- Incense (sandalwood, rose, lavender, frankincense, dragon’s blood)

- Oak leaves and acorns

- Anything that reflects the sun like suncatchers, glass beads, and mirrors

Things to enjoy while celebrating Litha:

-Sunshine, sun flowers, bright clear sunny blue skies, cold lemonade, soft yellows, candied lemon peels, bubbles and sparkles in the air and dandelions. Water balloons and hot air balloons. Honey bees and warm breezes

-Bonfires, sparks, barbecue, flame dancers, roasted peppers, loud drums, the smell of charcoal, heat, charred marks on grilled food, hot sun and bright orange day lilies. Orange paper plates, dragons, smoke and habaneros. 

-Fire flies, thick emerald and lush greenery and woods, camping in the backyard, the soft glow of lanterns, cool melons and cucumbers, the musical chirping of crickets, a lakeside party in the middle of the woods, a softly playing guitar the golden glow of the setting sun layered on everything.

-The crashing shores, mermaids and bejeweled bikinis, a bonfire by the sea, fries and seafood, soft colorful shawls billowing in the wind, blazing sun, sunscreen and colorful towels. Salt water taffies and gummy candies. Sea shell tea lights and sparklers.

-An open field and a hot oppressive heat, an bright blue sky, the screaming sounds of cicadas and the smell of frying food. Colorful tents, neon colors, funnel cakes, tie dye, a lute playing, a summer festival with carnival-like qualities. Electric lights, holographic scales, neon black lights.

-Strawberries, pink lemonade, sunset skies and sweet smelling candles in glass lanterns. White linen, rose petal infusions, hanging votives from trees, elderflower wine and lemon glaze icing. White lace dresses and flower crowns. Bouquets of summer flowers, the countryside’s grass of many streaks of colors.

-Gold tiara chains, blood oranges, tiki torches and flame flag dancers. Night skies with thousands of stars, hibiscus iced tea, Gold rings, chain jewelry, bohemian cushions and sheer veil canopies. Warm summer nights, fire pits, story telling and spiced liquor.

Don´t worry, be one with the nature.

Blessed be darklings!

C for Chaos Witch

Chaos/Chaotic - A type of magick utilizing new, non-traditional, and unorthodox methods. It is a new and highly individualistic practice, while still drawing from other common forms of magick.

My research for Chaos majick or Chaos witches has took me to longest this far. Didn´t know much about it, everywhere I looked, there was a totally different approach of it. So just imagine, I was super confused. What the hell is this thing? Can´t they explain it the way I would understand it? Then I decided to watch few videos about it from Youtube (witchcraft in Youtube is strong!). After the videos I actually interviewed few Chaos witches and all became finally clear. Actually the practice is really simple. There is few things that I realize it has and yet again, like every Chaos witch, I say, this is just my point of view. 

2010-2013

-First of all what became clear to me, is the dogmatism, it´s really strong with the idea of "viewpoint or system of ideas based on insufficiently examined premises." Basically, nothing may be true, you need to find more resources to back the "facts" or opinions and learn learn learn. This is the reason why every Chaos witch say the different thing, we all have different approaches and ideas and because you can do your stuff and do your magick the way you want... This may be confusing to some (like to me in the beginning). 

-Nothing is written on the stone, you can pick what ever floats your boat and make your magick, the outcome work. Many Chaos witch may use book of shadows or journals to write the whole process down or even revolve with different starting points and add them to their studies. What premises help you to achieve your goal the best?

-You can change your mind at any point.

2014-2016

-Chaos witches are very good at their technical experiences. Because all the learning and analyzing about everything, they became very (with no other words in my mind) officiant the things they do. So actually, chaos magick isn´t chaotic at all, it is very straight and in place at all time. Only thing that may seem chaotic, is the process to getting there for seen, nothing is certain.

-Deconditioning. Totally new word to me, but it means (very psychologically) that our ego and everything that includes us to think who we are, need to be kind of re-programmed. You don´t need to think you are everything that has happened to you, that those things are the only thing you are. You can wide your self-image; who you are is up to you. How much do you want to enjoy life and be the better you.

 "Our ego is a fiction of stable self-hood which maintains itself by perpetuating the distinctions of ‘what I am/what I am not, what I like/what I don’t like’, beliefs about ones politics, religion, gender preference, degree of free will, race, subculture etc all help maintain a stable sense of self, whilst the little ways in which we pull against this very stability allows us to feel as though we are unique individuals. Using deconditioning exercises, we can start to widen the cracks in our consensual reality which hopefully, enables us to become less attached to our beliefs and egofictions, and thus able to discard or modify them when appropriate."

-Gnosis. Ability to enter altered states of consciousness. 

"We tend to draw a distinct line between ‘ordinary consciousness’ and ‘altered states’, where in fact we move between different states of consciousness - such as daydreams, ‘autopilot’ (where we carry out actions without cognition) and varying degrees of attention, all the time. However, as far as magick is concerned, the willed entry into intense altered states can be divided into two poles of ‘Physiological Gnosis’ - Inhibitory states, and Excitatory states. The former includes physically ‘passive’ techniques such as meditation, yoga, scrying, contemplation and sensory deprivation while the latter includes chanting, drumming, dance, emotional and sexual arousal."

So, conclusion.

"Rather than trying to recover and maintain a tradition that links back to the past (and former glories), Chaos magic is an approach that enables the individual to use anything that s/he thinks is suitable as a temporary belief or symbol system. What matters is the results you get, not the ‘authenticity’ of the system used. So Chaos magic then, is not a system - it utilises systems and encourages adherents to devise their own, giving magic a truly Postmodernist flavour."

"Chaos magic has a reputation being sinister or some type bad. Maybe because the name is what it is or,  "its “pick’n’mix/D.I.Y” approach to magic was frowned upon by the ‘traditionalist’ schools, secondly that many people associated chaos with ‘anarchy’ and other negative associations, and thirdly that some Chaos magic publications were hyped as being ‘blasphemous, sinister, and dangerous’ in a way that they were not, which proved all the same to be an attractive glamour for those who required such a boost to the ego." "

Tips for making sigils

-Use positive affirmations. Take the “not” out of your sigil. Sigils use your subconscious to manifest, and in much the same way that your first response when someone tells you “don’t look over there,” is to ignore them and look where they just told you not to, your subconscious will skip right over the “not” and fuck with your results. For example, “I am strong,” versus “I am not weak,” where “I am strong” carries the positive affirmations and “I am not weak” carries negative affirmations. Your subconscious takes “I am not weak” and crosses out the “not” and sees it instead as “I am weak,” and therefore your sigil may manifest the complete opposite of what you had intended.

-Use present tense as opposed to future tense. I’ve learned from experience to not leave room for loopholes, and using “I will” instead of “I am” leaves some room for loopholes. The phrase “I will be strong” leaves an open loophole where your sigil could start working right away as you intended it, or, in the case that the universe decides to be a little fucker as it so often does, a year from now. “I am strong” denotes that this is a thing that is happening now, so it’ll manifest now as opposed to later when it might not even matter anymore. If you have to use the word “will,” then the phrase “it is my will” may work for you. 

However, if your sigil is something that you planned on manifesting sometime in the future, (“i will meet my soulmate”) then go ahead and use “I will” in your phrasing. 

-Your sigil has to be charged AND activated. Not one or the other. Both. There are a number of methods and combination of methods to achieve this, but it’s important that you do both or your desire will not manifest.

Read a book/ All quotes:

http://www.philhine.org.uk/writings/pdfs/orchaos.pdf

Nothing is true. Everything is permitted.

Blessed be!