In northern Europe, the longest day of the year was known as Midsummer, while wiccans and other pagan groups called it Litha. People were thought to wear protective garlands of herbs and flowers to ward off evil spirits that appear on the summer solstice.The most powerful of these, was “chase devil,” known today as St John’s Wort because of its association with St John’s Day.
Folklore also holds that bonfires on Midsummer, as the solstice was known among northern Europeans, would banish demons and evil spirits and lead young maidens to their future husbands.
Decorate your altar with summer flowers, herbs and fruits, and summer colors like yellow, green and blue. This is a traditional time for rites of re-dedication to the God and Goddess, as well as divination related to love and romance. Keep at least one candle lit throughout the day to honor the Sun, and if possible hold your Litha rituals at noon, when the Sun is at its highest point in the sky.
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