Litha, also known as the Summer Solstice or Midsummer, marks the peak of the Sun’s power and the longest day of the year. Celebrated around June 21st in the northern hemisphere, it is a time of abundance, growth, and vitality, honoring the strength of the sun and the fullness of summer. As the Sun reaches its zenith, Litha invites reflection, transformation, and the celebration of life, light, and nature’s gifts. (More on the Wheel of the Year here.)

Here are a few associations to get you started on your Litha traditions and rituals.

Litha Crystals

Sunstone, citrine, and carnelian are great crystals to have on hand during the Midsummer season, but feel free to get creative with any crystal that reminds you of the sun or fire energy!

Sunstone

Sunstone, with its warm, golden glow, is a perfect embodiment of Litha. This vibrant crystal radiates joy, vitality, and confidence, mirroring the sun’s life-giving energy at its peak. Just as Litha is a time of abundance, growth, and illumination, Sunstone encourages optimism, personal empowerment, and embracing one's inner light. It is often associated with leadership and motivation, making it an ideal stone for setting bold intentions and manifesting dreams during this potent time of the year. Like the fiery solstice sun, Sunstone fuels passion, creativity, and a deep connection to the warmth and magic of summer, perfectly aligning with the themes of celebration and transformation that define Litha.

Citrine

As a stone of abundance, joy, and manifestation, Citrine embodies the warmth and vitality of the longest day of the year, when the sun’s energy is at its peak. Just as Litha is a time of growth, prosperity, and personal empowerment, Citrine encourages confidence, creativity, and the attraction of success. Its bright, sunlit essence helps to dispel negativity, uplift the spirit, and fuel motivation, making it an ideal crystal for harnessing the powerful solar energy of the season. Like the glowing summer sun, Citrine radiates positivity and possibility, making it a perfect companion for celebrating Litha’s themes of light, abundance, and transformation.

Carnelian

Carnelian is known for its connection to vitality, courage, and creativity—qualities that align beautifully with the themes of abundance, strength, and personal power that Litha represents. Just as the summer solstice is a time of heightened energy and celebration, Carnelian ignites motivation, enhances confidence, and fuels the pursuit of goals and desires. Its warm, sun-kissed essence resonates with the life-giving power of the sun, encouraging joy, boldness, and a zest for life. As Litha marks a time of transformation and manifestation, Carnelian serves as the perfect talisman for embracing one’s inner fire and stepping fully into the season of light and abundance.

Litha Herbs

Litha is associated with St. John’s wort, chamomile, and lavender.

St. John’s Wort

St. John’s Wort has long been associated with the magic and energy of Litha. This bright yellow herb, blooming in the height of summer, is deeply connected to the themes of protection, healing, and vitality—key aspects of the solstice’s powerful solar energy. Traditionally used to ward off negative forces and invite positivity, St. John’s Wort embodies the light and strength of the sun, making it a perfect plant for rituals of purification, renewal, and personal empowerment. Just as Litha is a time of joy, abundance, and transformation, this herb is known for uplifting the spirit, banishing darkness, and promoting inner strength. Whether used in charms, teas, or burned as an offering, St. John’s Wort carries the radiant essence of Midsummer, reinforcing the themes of light, growth, and protection that define the season.

Chamomile

Chamomile, with its delicate golden blossoms resembling the sun, is a perfect symbol of the warmth and vitality celebrated during the Midsummer holiday. Known for its soothing and protective properties, chamomile embodies the themes of peace, prosperity, and well-being that align with the height of the Sun’s power. Just as Litha is a time of abundance and solar energy, chamomile has been traditionally used in spells and rituals for luck, purification, and attracting positive energy. Its calming essence helps balance the fiery energy of the solstice, promoting harmony and relaxation amid the season’s vibrant celebrations. Whether brewed as a tea, used in ritual offerings, or incorporated into charm bags, chamomile radiates the gentle yet powerful magic of the sun, reinforcing Litha’s themes of light, renewal, and the nurturing forces of nature.

Lavender

Lavender, with its soothing fragrance and vibrant purple blooms, beautifully aligns with the themes of Litha. As a plant associated with protection, purification, and peace, lavender embodies the balance between the fiery energy of the solstice and the need for spiritual and emotional harmony. Just as Litha is a time of abundance and transformation, lavender is known for attracting positive energy, enhancing intuition, and promoting restful sleep after long summer days. Its strong connection to both the sun’s warmth and the cooling energy of relaxation makes it a perfect herb for Midsummer rituals, whether used in cleansing bundles, spellwork, or offerings. With its ability to bring clarity, love, and tranquility, lavender serves as a powerful symbol of the joy, renewal, and magic that define the essence of Litha.

Litha Element: Fire

Fire represents the Sun’s immense power, fueling growth, passion, and transformation—key aspects of this vibrant season. Just as Litha marks a time of abundance and strength, fire symbolizes vitality, creativity, and the burning away of negativity to make space for new beginnings. Bonfires are traditionally lit during Litha rituals to honor the Sun’s energy, encourage protection, and ignite personal empowerment. This element also embodies courage, willpower, and the spark of inspiration, making it a powerful force for manifestation during the solstice. As the world is bathed in golden sunlight, fire’s presence in Litha reminds us to embrace our inner light, pursue our desires with confidence, and celebrate the warmth and magic of life.

Litha Symbols

Here are a couple of other symbols that are often associated with Litha.

Sunflowers

Sunflowers, with their bright golden petals and ability to follow the sun, perfectly embody the themes of Litha, the Midsummer holiday celebrating the sun at its peak. As a symbol of vitality, joy, and abundance, sunflowers reflect the energy of the longest day of the year, when the light is at its strongest and nature is in full bloom. Their connection to the sun makes them a powerful emblem of personal growth, positivity, and manifestation, aligning with Litha’s themes of expansion and transformation. Just as the solstice is a time to embrace warmth and gratitude, sunflowers remind us to soak in the blessings of the season and radiate our own inner light. Whether used in altars, offerings, or decorations, these sun-kissed flowers serve as a reminder of the sun’s life-giving power and the magic of Midsummer.

Solar Wheels

Solar wheels are ancient symbols representing the Sun’s power, cycles, and eternal movement through the seasons. Often depicted as a circle with spokes or a cross, they have been used in various cultures to honor solar deities and mark the changing of the year. The design of the solar wheel reflects the turning of the Wheel of the Year, emphasizing the balance between light and darkness as the Sun reaches its highest point during the summer solstice. In many traditions, solar wheels were associated with fire and protection, sometimes even set ablaze and rolled down hills during Midsummer celebrations to symbolize the sun’s journey across the sky and the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

During Litha, the Midsummer holiday, the solar wheel takes on special significance as a representation of the Sun’s peak strength and life-giving energy. This is a time of abundance, growth, and illumination, when the Sun's influence is at its most powerful. The solar wheel’s connection to fire aligns with the bonfires traditionally lit on Litha night, reinforcing themes of purification, passion, and transformation. Just as the solar wheel turns, so too does the Wheel of the Year, reminding us that even as the Sun stands at its highest, the days will soon begin to shorten. This sacred symbol serves as a reminder to embrace the warmth, vitality, and opportunities of the season while honoring the ever-turning cycles of nature.

Bonfires

Bonfires are a central symbol of Litha. During the summer solstice, when the Sun reaches its peak, bonfires are lit to honor the Sun's power and to celebrate the abundant energy of the season. The flames represent purification, burning away negativity, and making way for new growth, while also symbolizing vitality, passion, and the warmth of the sun. These fires are often seen as a way to connect with the sacred element of fire, which is associated with strength, creativity, and courage. Bonfires also serve as a communal space for celebration, encouraging unity and joy among those gathered. As the flames flicker and crackle, they remind us to embrace the fullness of life, reflect on our personal transformations, and celebrate the magic and power of the summer solstice.

More on Litha

Now that you have your Midsummer traditions ready to go, do you want to explore more about Litha?

About Litha:
Litha Meditation: A guided meditation for the Midsummer season
Litha Journal Prompts: Journal prompts to use during Litha

Litha Associations