Summer Solstice

June 14, 2010 Vicki
Tags: Litha, pagan, parenting, Rituals, sabbat, Solstice, Spells, Summer, Summer Solstice, wicca, wiccan

The Summer Solstice, the day in which the sun stands still and the sunlit day is longest and the night shortest, marks the mid point of the solar year.

Also known as Litha, an Anglo-Saxon word which finds its origin in Bede’s De Temporum Ratione and refers to a period of time roughly spanning the modern months of June and July, this sabbat marks the point in which the God reaches the panicle of his power. The land reflects the growing fertility of the Goddess and readies itself for the first harvest.

The evenings are long and warm, if the weather is in your favour, and now is the perfect time for outdoor rituals. Some people take trips out to see the Mid-Summer sunrise at stone circles like Stonehenge, or simply go to a special place in nature to see the phenomena. Most of these events are child friendly and children love camping and (in my experience anyway) won’t have any problems waking up in time to see the sunrise.

In addition to this you can involve your children in a little summer magick.
The Summer Solstice is a time for asking to good luck and protection as the nights once again begin to lengthen. Originally this would have been the protection and success of the harvest as our ancestors moved closer towards the Mabon harvests but our little ones can ask for their own success and luck, especially if they are facing the scary prospect of going to primary, or secondary, school for the first time.

Wish Stones

Make a trip to a local river, pond or similar body of water and choose some river stones to represent your wish to the water fairies. If you want you can choose stones from another location and prepare them at home with paint or take a marker pen out with you. You should choose flattish pebbles if you want to combine this with stone skipping.
Have your children mark their wishes and hopes for the coming 6 months onto the stones. They should write or draw their own wishes but you can help younger ones.
Then, asking the water fairies to hear their wishes, your children should say them out loud before throwing the stone into the water. You wan make it more fun by skipping the stones as far as you can.

Entry Filed under: Crafts,History,Holidays,pagan,parenting,Resources,Rituals,Sabbats,Spells,The Environment

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