Litha Ritual

Written by: Veronica Brown

For this joyous ritual, you will create a small altar outside, reflecting the beauty of your house altar. Embrace the spirit of summer, the spirit of celebration. After the ritual, the festivities commence—feasting, drinking, and igniting the bonfire in a triumphant display of merriment.  

This ritual is a canvas for your unique expression. Feel empowered to substitute anything that doesn't resonate with you—you are not bound to invoke anyone. This is your journey; make it authentically yours.

Items Needed

- Small altar for outside

- Candles (Gold, Yellow, Orange, Red, Green, Sky Blue)

- Crystals (Carnelian, Citrine, Tigers Eye, Selenite.)

- Flowers (Chamomile, Cinnamon, Daisy, Rose, Sunflowers, Rosemary, Yarrow, Lavender.)

- Seashells

- Offering bowl or plate

- Decor (Bee, Fairy, Dragonfly, Hummingbird, Butterflies.)

- Any musical instruments

- Honey Cakes

- Summer Fruits (Citrus, Blackberries, Raspberries, Strawberries, etc.)

- Summer Vegetables (Squash, Beets, Bell Peppers, Corn, etc.)

- Smudge stick and Palo Santo or a spray

Step 1)

• After you have set up and decorated your outside altar, cleanse it with your smudge stick and use Palo Santo to attract positive energies.

Step 2)

• Light your candles and incense.

Step 3)

• Call in your chosen deity or angels and ancestors (if doing so)

Deity Invocation

Great Goddess, Rhiannon, today I honor you. Join me in this celebration of Litha. Help me remember that times of sorrow are opportunities for the most significant growth. Rhiannon, I affirm that I dare to overcome my doubts and fears.

Angel Invocation

Archangel Uriel, I call upon you now. Allow me to see and feel your light and warmth. Bestow upon me your wisdom and, with your sacred flames, transmute any energy around me that is not of a loving frequency into its highest possible good.

Ancestor Invocation

Ancestors, I call upon you to join me in celebrating the summer solstice. Stay and revel in the merriment, knowing that you are cherished and honored this day and every day thereafter.

Step 4) Prayer for Litha.

Stand before your altar, arms reaching the sky, and soak in the warmth. This prayer expresses gratitude and sets intentions for the summer season. When ready, recite the following prayer.

Prayer

It's midsummer evening, the shortest of night,

Where our planet is blessed with the greatest of light.

The sun at its peak, sharing its wealth,

With the earth glowing in abundance and health.

The tree's leaves are green, the birds are in song,

The days are warm as they are long.

We honor the animals, the plants, and all living things

The sun and the water and the life that it brings.

May we find well-being and may we find peace,

In days after the solstice, when light does decrease.

May the blessings of solstice be ours; I pray

Light warms our hearts and souls every day.

Step 6) Cakes and Ale!

Pass around the cakes and ale (tea, mead, water). Do not eat or drink yet! While passing out the cakes, say to each person,

• May you never Hunger.
  

While passing out the ale, say to each person,

• May you never thirst.
  

After everyone has their cake and ale, say,

• May we never hunger.
  

And then everyone takes a bite of their cake.

Next is ale,

• May we never thirst

Everyone takes a drink.

As you eat and drink, let gratitude fill your heart for the earth's bountiful provisions. Give thanks to the sun for its nurturing warmth, aiding plant growth. Most importantly, express gratitude to the wonderful people in your life for their love and support.

Step 7) Cast any spellwork.

• This is a time to perform any spells or magical workings that align with the energy of the summer solstice. These could include spells for Fertility, abundance, love, overcoming obstacles, shadow-work, healing, self-growth, protection, and purification. You may skip this if you need to become more familiar with spellwork.  

Step 8) Closing.

• Thank your deity and/or angel(s) and ancestors for joining the celebration and release them

Release Ancestors:

I remember you through the love of the first Mother and Father. I remember you in joy and sorrow. I remember that this air is the air you breathed, that this bread is the bread you ate, that this wine/water is the wine/water you drank.

Release Deity

Rhiannon, I thank you for joining me for this celebration. Please stay until you have had your fill of food and merriment. Please see that any ancestors that have joined us today safely return to where they belong.

Release Angels

Archangel Uriel, thank you for joining this celebration and lending your light. Please see that any ancestors that have joined us today safely return to where they belong. I honor you and all you do to protect and shed light in the darkness. You are released.

Step 9) Clean Up.

• You can break down the altar or leave it up for a while; it is entirely up to you. Breaking down the altar concludes the ritual and returns the space to its normal state while leaving it up allows the energy of the ritual to continue to infuse the space.

• Do not leave your candles unattended if you plan to let them burn out. If possible, put any offerings on your altar somewhere wildlife, and the Fae can get to it. If that is not an option, simply placing it in the trash or garbage disposal would be fine. Please see that any ancestors that have joined us today safely return to where they belong.

Step 10) Food and merriment!

• This is a time to enjoy the fruits of your ritual, share a meal with loved ones, and joyfully and festively celebrate the summer solstice.

Please check with your state Environmental Protection Division to ensure you do not have a burn ban. This is important to ensure your ritual's safety and comply with local regulations regarding open fires.