In the Southern Hemisphere, Litha is traditionally celebrated around the 21st. After checking a pagan calender I discovered that it would fall on the 22nd which was a good day to do it as it was a week day and would be fairly quiet while I did the ritual in the backyard.
After doing this ritual I asked permission that I might take a couple of photos to share with you all.
I did not manage to get all the ingredients for the ritual so I adapted it slightly, I have been reading about how you should adapt rituals to suit the materials you have. Therefore the herb part was not done but the rest was. I used nuts and seeds for the offerings so they could be put in the garden afterwards and birds and small animals could eat them. I didn't want to put out anything that would not be healthy for them to eat.
Circle of flowers for ritual
Ritual outfit- floral wreath and green dress.
I found these instructions online. I think it was on the
Southern Hemisphere Pagan page.
"SOLITARY LITHA RITUAL
You will need:
Seasonal
flowers and items to decorate your altar.
The means to create
a small fire. A fire pit outside will work wonderfully, but an indoor
fireplace is also fine. If you cannot build a fire, use some candles
(red or gold are best).
Some herbs representative of
happiness; lavender and vervain are traditional.
A small
square of fabric and a ribbon; natural materials are best.
Any
percussive instrument (optional).
A bowl or plate of seasonal
fruits or other foods and a glass of fruit juice, red wine, or some
other appropriate drink.
An offering bowl (only needed if you
are not working outside and/or if you cannot build a fire).
Decorate
your altar or working space with summery items. Seasonal flowers and
fruits are especially good. Cast your circle and mark it out by
walking sunwise [Widdershins in the Southern Hemisphere] around it and laying flowers around its perimeter.
Build the fire or light the candles and speak the following
words:
At this time of life and joy when summer’s reached
its height,
I honour the season and the sun with these flames
burning bright,
And as the year begins to wane, I’ll keep with
me this light,
To fill my heart and warm me when the day turns on
to night.
Feel the warmth of the flames and imagine their
light filling you. Sit by the fire (or candles) and place the herbs
in the centre of the square of fabric. Fold the fabric up around the
herbs and tie it off to make a pouch. Push all your troubles, pains,
sorrows, etc., into the pouch. Throw it into the fire if you’ve
built one. If you are using candles, place it on your altar for
now.
Stand up and walk sunwise [ Southern Hemisphere: Widdershins] around the fire or candles. If
your fire is not in the centre, simply walk around the circle. Play
the instrument (if you have one) or clap your hands if you like, and
chant the following words as you walk:
Turn, turn, turn, turn,
the Litha fire is burning
Walk the circle, chant the song, the
year’s great wheel is turning.
As you walk and chant,
reflect on the year — now that it is halfway through, what have you
learned? What has come to pass? What is yet to come? Picture a great
wheel turning, a representation of the steady passage of time.
Continue this active meditation for as long as you like. When you are
ready to stop, sit by your altar again and place the food, drink, and
offering bowl (if needed) in front of you. Speak a small and personal
expression of gratitude for all that the Earth has provided and for
the food and drink before you. Throw a bit of the food into the fire
and pour some of the drink onto the ground (or put them into an
offering bowl if you are not outside and/or you do not have a fire).
Enjoy the rest.
Close your circle and end your ritual, putting
out the fire or candles last. Go outside and bury the offerings if
needed. If your ritual used candles and you did not burn the herb
pouch, keep it on your altar until you can throw it into a fire. If
you cannot, you can bury the pouch."
Source:
http://spellbookofwitches.tumblr.com/post/25538094745/solitary-litha-ritual
I also decided to wear green for the rest of the day to celebrate Litha.
May your Litha also be bright!
Blessed be.
Laura Morrigan.
