Litha

A festival of connection and gratitude, including 2 Litha recipes and a few reflection questions!

One of the topics I love writing about in my Notes of a Wildflower is the idea of living more in tune with the seasons. Following the Celtic Wheel of the Year, with its eight seasonal festivals, provides a comforting rhythm for me. In this notes, I’ll share more about Litha, one of the solar festivals of the Celtic Year.

A bit of history

Litha is one of the four Solar Festivals of the Celtic calendar and is celebrated on June 20th, the day of the Summer Solstice—the longest day of the year. You may also know it as the Summer Solstice, the Summer Equinox, or Midsummer. Litha marks the official beginning of summer—and that calls for celebration! It’s a festival filled with connection, music, dancing, and gratitude.

You may like to read my introduction on the Celtic Wheel of the Year:

The Celtic Wheel of the Year

Summer at its peak!

The Celts did not divide the year into four seasons like we do today, but into two: the dark season, ruled by the Holly King, and the light season, ruled by the Oak King. During Litha, they celebrated the peak of the light season, the moment when the Oak King is defeated by the Holly King, who will now begin to take back control.

Litha symbolises the power and vitality of the sun. When you look for the literal meaning, Litha would mean ‘light’. It could also be derived from the Old English word ‘lipa’ which can be translated as calm or gentle.

Another explanation is that it comes from the Old Germanic word for slope which would refer to the sun's journey where she is now at the top of the mountain, her peak.

As with Samhain, the Celts believed that on this day the separation between the upper and lower worlds was thin, with spirits and fairies perhaps able to interact with us. So a time of magic too! Celebrating Litha includes rituals to protect you from this magic.

A celebration of connection and gratitude

Litha is a time for deep connection…

Connection to the earth. Walk barefoot, lie in the grass, lean against a tree with a good book. Feel the earth—and especially the sun.

Connection to yourself. Go outside for a walk. Read, meditate, or write outdoors. How are you doing?

Connection to others. Have a BBQ, go on a picnic, watch the sunset on the beach with friends around a bonfire. Make music together, listen to music, enjoy a drink on a terrace, dance, or go to a summer festival.

It’s also a time to celebrate nature’s abundance and be grateful for the growth and bloom all around us.

Litha Rituals

• Light a bonfire or some candles. Fire represents the sun’s strength and also offers protection from the wild energy and mischief that can accompany Litha.

• Go outside for the sunrise (check your local time) or take a simple walk to greet the new day.

• Pick or buy a bouquet of (wild)flowers. Place them in a vase or make a flower crown. Tuck a flower in your hair…

• Harvest fresh herbs, which are at their peak now. Herbs picked on Litha are said to hold extra power. Make tea, dry them, or use them in a recipe (see the Summer Solstice Herb Bread below!).

• Invite friends, dance, sing, and celebrate summer together! Or attend a local midsummer gathering or festival.

• Have a picnic, take a walk, or go for a bike ride.

• Pause and reflect. Meditate or write about summer, the sun, the warmth, and the light.Pick a wildflower bouquet, and include some tree branches as well. You could even make a flower crown — a true Beltane tradition! You can wear it, hang it on your door, or place it somewhere special in your home.

What to eat…

Litha is perfect for light, fresh, summery dishes. Think salads, summer baked goods or yogurt with fresh fruit, elderflower syrup, or herb-infused bread. Honey is also widely used, and mead (honey wine) is a traditional drink for Litha.

Lemon Cookies

Fresh, bright cookies that perfectly suit the summer season!

Ingredients:

• 120 g butter or margarine

• 100 g sugar, divided

• 1 egg

• ½ tsp vanilla extract (approx. 2.5 ml)

• 155 g flour

• 1 tsp baking powder (approx. 5 g)

• ⅛ tsp salt (approx. 0.75 g)

• 20–25 g lemon herbs (lemongrass, lemon balm, or lemon basil), chopped

Instructions:

• Cream the butter and 75 g of sugar.

• Add the egg and vanilla extract. Beat well.

• Mix the flour, baking powder, salt, and herbs.

• Add the dry mixture to the creamy mixture and combine well.

• Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet, leaving about 7.5 cm in between.

• Press lightly with a fork or the bottom of a cup.

• Sprinkle the remaining 25 g of sugar on top.

• Bake at 175°C for 8–10 minutes or until lightly golden.

• Let cool slightly and enjoy!

Summer Solstice Herb Bread

A delicious bread with fresh herbs (straight from your garden!). Just a bit of (salted) butter is all it needs 😊

Ingredients:

• 375 g flour

• 15 g sugar

• 5 g salt

• 1 packet dry yeast (7 g)

• 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives (approx. 6 g)

• 2 tsp chopped fresh rosemary (approx. 2 g)

• 1 tsp fresh thyme (approx. 1 g)

• 300 ml hot water

• 30 g butter or oil

How to make it:

• In a large bowl, mix 250 g of the flour with the sugar, salt, and yeast.

• Add the herbs, water, and butter. Mix slowly, then gradually add the remaining 125 g of flour until a smooth dough forms.

• Let rise in a warm place for 35 minutes or until doubled in size.

• Knead the dough for about 15 seconds.

• Place in a greased loaf pan and shape into a loaf. Cover and let rise again for about 30 minutes or until doubled.

• Bake at 190°C for 40–45 minutes.

• Brush with butter or margarine, remove from the pan, and let cool.

Enjoy!

Reflection Questions

With the sun’s energy at its peak, this is a powerful time for personal and spiritual growth. Here are a few reflection prompts to inspire your journaling or meditation:

• What is currently blooming in your life? Or what is there to celebrate right now?

• Where do you feel most vibrant and alive? Or what light or fire within you wants to be seen?

• What intentions did you plant earlier this year—and how are they growing?

• How do you create more balance between the wild energy of Litha and rest?

• Where are you grateful for right now in your life, both big and small?

P.S. I’m participating in

Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

challenge to write 12 chapters this year, culminating in an ebook. Consider this the Chapter for June! 😊