Litha
Monday, June 21, 2027, the date of the solstice in BC
Litha is the summer solstice: the longest day, and the sun at the height of its strength.
What is Litha?
The name comes from Bede’s old English calendar, where Līða named the months around midsummer. Modern pagans use it for the solstice itself, though most of Europe simply calls it Midsummer.
After the solstice the days begin, very slowly, to shorten. So Litha is a celebration of abundance and light, with a quiet awareness that the year is turning.
St John’s Eve in Ireland
Midsummer in Ireland became St John’s Eve, June 23, when bonfires were lit on hills and in villages across the country. In parts of the west and in Cork it is still called Bonfire Night.
Herbs gathered at midsummer, like St John’s wort, were thought to be at their most powerful.
Ways to mark Litha at home
Watch the sunset
On the longest day in the Lower Mainland it doesn’t go down until after 9 pm. Make an evening of it.
Eat outside
Dinner on the deck or in the park, with candles once the light goes.
Gather and dry herbs
Lavender, mint, chamomile or whatever the garden gives you.
Make elderflower cordial
Black elder blooms around the solstice, and the cordial keeps the taste of summer.