Sacred Summer Solstice: Litha Meaning, Rituals & Feminine Spiritual Practices
- Penelope Silver
- May 12
- 4 min read
Light, Pause, and the Turning Tide
The light stretches long in June, lingering at the edges of the day. The bees hum lazily through open lavender.
The garden grows wild and full, and so - perhaps - do our thoughts.
Here in the height of summer, I notice a certain contrast.
The world is buzzing with activity, brightness, and visibility… yet inside, I feel a quieter pull.
A gentle need to stop, reflect, and simply be.
The Summer Solstice, or Litha, offers us just that: a moment of stillness in the blaze.
What is Litha? Summer Solstice Meaning (UK)
Litha (pronounced lee-tha) is the peak of the sun's power in the Northern Hemisphere - the longest day and the shortest night.
This turning point usually arrives between 20th and 23rd June (21st for us In the UK) and marks the beginning of astronomical summer on the Wheel of the Year.
It’s a celebration of light, growth, and abundance - but also a gentle invitation to surrender, as from this day forward, the light begins its slow descent.
Litha energy calls us to:
Honour what’s flourishing — in nature, in our lives, in our hearts
Recognise our inner radiance and share it authentically
Reflect on the first half of the year
Gently release what no longer serves, without force or shame
It’s a time to pause at the peak, take a breath, and begin to turn inward - not in haste, but in reverence.
A Glimpse Into the Past: Litha’s Ancient Roots
The summer solstice has long been honoured across cultures and spiritual paths. In modern times, many neopagans celebrate it under names like Litha, Midsummer, and - within neo-Druidic traditions - Alban Hefin, meaning “Light of the Shore”.
Across history, our ancestors marked this day with reverence for the sun’s power, the fullness of nature, and the sacred balance of the year:
At Stonehenge, ancient stones align to the solstice sunrise. People have gathered there for over 5,000 years to greet the light.
In Spain, prehistoric tombs were constructed to channel the midsummer sun’s rays into sacred spaces.
The Mayans, Ancestral Puebloans, and others aligned temples with the solstice to mark time and call in divine presence.
The Saxon calendar called this time Litha — a season of calm waters and gentle transition.
These observances weren’t about control.
They were about alignment.
Living in rhythm with the sun, the land, and the unseen.
Myth & Meaning: The Oak and Holly King
One beloved myth of the solstice is the battle between the Oak King and the Holly King.
These two archetypes represent summer and winter, light and dark.
At Litha, the Oak King’s reign ends, and the Holly King begins his return - reaching power at the Winter Solstice.
This passing of the crown reminds us:
That no season - internal or external - is permanent
That decline is not failure, but part of the rhythm
That there is beauty in both light and shadow
The sun at its peak is not just warmth - it’s clarity, truth, and creative fire. Litha invites us to honour that radiance.
A Note From Me – Penelope
This year, the solstice doesn’t feel flashy.
It feels gentle.
Quiet.
Internal.
I’ve been holding a lot - teaching, building, studying metaphysics, and caring for others - and now I feel the call to just be.
Not produce.
Not plan.
Just pause and receive the light that’s already here.
I’ve been sitting most mornings with adaptagenic coffee (swapped from the old beloved builders brews) , in the silence before the day begins. It’s not a performance. It’s a returning.
If you’re feeling stretched by summer energy - by the pressure to “make the most of it” - know that you’re not alone.
You don’t have to hustle.
The sun doesn’t force anything.
It just shines.
Gentle Tools for Solstice Integration
Essential Oils
Lemon – for lightness and clarity
Geranium – for emotional balance
Frankincense – to deepen spiritual practice
Diffuse them, or anoint your solar plexus or wrists with a carrier oil blend.
EFT Tapping Phrase
Gently tap your collarbone or heart space and repeat:
“Even though I feel overwhelmed, I honour where I am and soften into the light.”
Reiki Self-Healing
Place one hand on your solar plexus and the other on your heart.
Visualise golden sunlight filling your body.
Repeat: “I honour my radiance. I receive the energy that is already mine.”
Journaling Prompts
What has grown or blossomed in my life this year?
What feels ready to be let go of?
What does my energy need right now — more light, or more rest?
A Simple Litha Ritual: Candle & Flower Blessing
You’ll need:
A yellow or gold candle
Fresh flowers or petals
A bowl of water
A quiet space
Steps:
Light the candle to represent your inner fire.
Float petals in the water. Speak aloud one thing you’re grateful for, and one thing you’re releasing.
Dip your fingers into the water and anoint your face or heart.
Sit quietly and receive.
Close with the words:“I honour this turning point. I bless the light and welcome the change.”
Affirmations for the Solstice
I welcome abundance in all forms.
I honour the fullness of life and the wisdom of the wheel.
I am aligned with the rhythms of nature and my own inner truth.
I receive joy, peace, and spaciousness.
Speak them aloud, write them in your journal, or carry them through the season.
In Closing: Trust the Rhythm
This solstice, let it be simple.
Let the light hold you, not demand anything from you.
Let the season meet you where you are.
There’s no need to rush, force, or prove.
Just breathe.
Just soften.
Just shine.
If this blog resonates with you, I’d love to hear how you’re honouring the solstice.
You’re warmly invited to subscribe to my seasonal newsletter, where I share spiritual tools, Reiki guidance, and reflections for living in rhythm.
With love and light,
Penelope x
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