Evolutionary Spirituality
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Litha celebrates the fullness of the sun’s power (the longest day of the year), and the stable, powerful love of marriage. Weddings are often held on Litha, and we commemorate our wedding anniversary on this day, often while camping. Other Litha traditions include bonfires. Of course, being the height of the sun’s power also means that the daylight begins to decline after Litha. Just as Yule is the birth of the light, so Litha is the birth of the dark – hence the traditional battle between the Oak and Holly kings, with the Holly King’s victory. Colors include the blazing yellow of the sun, and the red and orange of fire.


In Deep Time history, Litha represents the full expression of life on earth, with most major life forms appearing. First land vertebrates, basking in the hot sun, first reptiles, first mammals, first creation of body heat, first dinosaurs. I think of dimetrodon, with a huge sail to celebrate the full sun of Litha. Time = from 400 million to 200 million years ago)


Cookies aren’t as often done for this Sabbat in our family simply because it requires being inside to cook them, and we tend to be outdoors on Litha! Kayaking local rivers or the Great Lakes, hiking in the woods, and a ritual out in the forest are also common. Mead is often consumed – celebrating the honey of our marriage and the season. Mead is honey wine, and the full moon closest to Litha is traditionally called the mead moon or the honey moon (hence the name “honeymoon” for the vacation after a wedding).

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