Season 1, Episode 1: Exploring Litha
Today we're diving into the magical realm of Litha and Midsummar. I'm your host WindMoon, so grab your cauldrons and get ready to embrace the magic of Midsummar.
As a practicing eclectic solitary witch and herbalist, I've always been captivated by the mystical and the natural world. I have embraced the path of rewilding, finding solace and inspiration in the untamed beauty that surrounds us. On this podcast, we'll explore the realms of modern witchcraft, magic, and herbalism.
Together, we'll unlock the secrets of the craft, dive into the mysteries of the moon phases, and discover the healing power of plants and herbs. I also host a special membership called the Inner Circle, where you'll find over 22 courses covering various aspects of modern witchcraft, magic, and herbalism, with new courses added regularly.
Whether you're a seasoned witch seeking to deepen your practice, or a curious soul just beginning to explore the magical arts, the Wind Moon Magic podcast and Inner Circle have something for you. So get ready to embrace the magic of the wind and the moon as we journey together into the realms of witchcraft, rewilding, and herbalism.
Let's discover the hidden treasures of nature and unlock the power that resides within each of us.
Welcome to episode one. I'm finally doing a podcast. To begin, let's start with understanding what Litha and Midsummer truly mean. Litha refers to the Midsummer festival. Celebrated during the summer solstice. It falls between June 20th and June 23rd in the Northern Hemisphere. Marking the longest day of the year.
This is a day cherished across various cultures and spiritual traditions. So, let's talk a little bit about the history and folktales of Litha. The summer solstice holds tremendous significance throughout history. In ancient times, people recognized the sun as a powerful entity, and the summer solstice was seen as a time of the sun's peak energy.
This astronomical event was observed and celebrated by many cultures. For instance, in Egypt, the summer solstice was linked to the god Ra, symbolizing the sun's peak. strength and power. While the Greeks celebrated this time with grand festivals honoring their god Apollo, who represented the sun and music.
The Celts celebrated Midsummer as a time of abundance and the union of the earth and the heavens. In Celtic mythology, Midsummer was associated with bonfires and gatherings. The myth of the Oak King and the Holly King is particularly significant during this time. The Oak King represents the waxing half of the year, from winter to summer solstice.
while the Holly King represents the waning half from summer to winter solstice. These two figures engage in a perpetual battle which symbolizes the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth that we see year after year. According to the myth, the Oak King and the Holly King are twin brothers who rule over the seasons.
They're locked in this constant battle for dominance, each reigning over his respective half of the year. During Litha, which marks the peak of the summer season, the Oak King is at the height of his power. He represents the energy of growth, abundance, and vitality, and the Oak King is often depicted as a strong and robust figure.
He usually symbolizes the strength of the summer sun. On the other hand, the Holly King is associated with the waning half of the year and gains strength as the days grow shorter. He embodies the energy of decline, introspection, and of course, the approaching of the winter season. The Holly King is often portrayed as an older figure, sometimes depicted with holly leaves or berries.
As the summer solstice arrives, the Oak King and the Holly King engage in a fierce battle. This symbolizes the shift from light to darkness, and from the height of summer to the coming of winter. The Oak King, having reached his peak, begins to weaken, while the Holly King grows stronger from this day forward.
During the battle, the Holly King triumphs over his brother, and his reign begins. As the days gradually become shorter, the Holy King's rule will continue until the winter solstice when the cycle repeats itself and the Oak King regains his strength to challenge his brother once again. Midsommar has a deep rooted connection to mythology and folklore.
Across the globe, many cultures have woven tales and traditions around this enchanting time. In Norse mythology, the great bonfires and revelries were meant to ward off evil spirit and ensure the sun's continued presence. The tale of Baldr, the Norse god of light and beauty, also intersects with Midsommar, as his death and subsequent resurrection symbolize the turning of the seasons
So, according to that myth, Baldor was loved by all beings in the Norse realm, as he emanated joy and radiance wherever he went. However, his mother, Frigg, had a prophetic dream about his impending death. Troubled by these visions, Frigg sought to protect Baldor by making every object in the world swear an oath not to harm him.
She received promises from every being except for the insignificant mistletoe plant. It seemed harmless. And so she overlooked it. The mischievous god Loki discovered this oversight and crafted a spear from mistletoe. He then orchestrated a game in which the gods would throw various objects at Baldur, enjoying the spectacle of their failed attempts to harm him.
Loki approached Baldur's blind brother and offered him the mistletoe spear, guiding his hand to throw it. Tragically, the spear pierced Baldur's heart and he fell lifeless. The death of Baldur plunged the world into darkness and mourning. Frigg's grief was immense. And she sent messengers to all the realms, offering immense rewards to anyone who could bring her son back to life.
Eventually, Hermond, another of Balder's brothers, embarked on a perilous journey to the Land of the Dead, where he negotiated with Hel, the ruler of the Underworld. Hel agreed to release Balder if all beings wept for his return, demonstrating the depth of their love and sorrow. The gods and all creatures wept for Balder except for one giantess who was later revealed to be, not shockingly, Loki in disguise.
This unwillingness to mourn Balder ensured his permanent stay in the realm of the dead until the final battle of Ragnarok where he is destined to be reborn. The story of Balder's death and eventual resurrection is often associated with the summer solstice. Litha marks the longest day of the year, when the power of the sun is at its peak.
It symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, warmth over coldness. Balder's death and the subsequent return parallel the seasons. Cycles, where the days grow shorter after Litha, eventually leading to the darkness of winter, and the subsequent rebirth of the sun at Yule. Midsummer is often associated with magical and mystical encounters.
In Scandinavian folklore, for example, it was believed that on Midsummer Eve, witches and supernatural beings would roam the earth, and mortals could gain extraordinary powers, or partaking in certain rituals, or wearing protective herbs. It's intriguing how Midsummer customs and celebrations differ across the world.
In Sweden, for instance, the festival of Midsummer is widely celebrated with maypole dances, flower crowns, and feasting on traditional delicacies. In Estonia, the solstice is observed with bonfires and singing and dancing late into the night. And even in India, a festival takes place during Midsummer, where massive chariots are pulled through the streets in celebration.
It's remarkable how these traditions have endured through time, preserving the spirit of Midsummer, and carrying it forward for generations. The folklore and customs surrounding this time offer us a glimpse into the deep reverent and awe that our ancestors held for the turning of the seasons, and their observational powers.
They observed the solstice. As modern practitioners of witchcraft and mysticism, it's essential for us to honor and learn from these traditions. By embracing the mythology and folklore of Midsommar, we can connect with the wisdom of our ancestors, and thereby deepen our own spiritual practices. The myths, legends, and customs of Midsommar remind us of the sacredness of this time, and the profound connection we have with nature and the spiritual realms.
As we celebrate Midsummer, let's take a moment to reflect on the stories and traditions that have shaped our understanding of this magical time. By honoring and preserving these ancient tales, we keep the flame of Midsummer's magic alive. Let's dive into some of the symbolism of Midsummer and also working with the elements at this time of the year.
The symbolism and the energy associated with Litha in Midsummer are captivating. It's a time of great light, warmth, vitality. The sun's energy is at its peak and it's a wonderful opportunity for us to tap into that radiant power. The energy of Litha is often associated with themes of growth, transformation, and the blossoming of intentions.
Just as nature thrives during this time, so can we. It's a period of abundance.
Let's deep dive into the elements and how we can use them this season, starting with fire. Fire, with its transformative energy, holds a special place during Litha. Bonfires, which I've mentioned, have long been a significant part of Midsummer celebrations. They serve as vocal points for communal gatherings.
People dance, they sing, they bask in the warmth and the light of the flames. Bonfires symbolize the burning away of the old and making space for new beginnings and transformation. Fire and magic is a catalyst for change, and during Litha we can harness its power through candle magic as well. So not everybody can have a bonfire.
I certainly cannot, living in Southern California. Lighting candles. With specific intentions allows us to focus our energy and manifest our desires. Whether it's a simple gratitude ritual or a spell for personal transformation, candle magic can be a potent tool during this time. So let's talk about a quick fire purification ritual.
And this is actually part of the Litha content that's being released to inner circle members in just a couple days. So you're going to create a sacred space, ideally outdoors, where you can safely build a small fire. It can even be in a fireproof bowl or pot that you build this fire. Gather dry herbs, such as sage, rosemary, and you're going to use them as purification tools.
Begin by centering yourself through deep breaths, and pick a grounding exercise. There are many to choose from, but pick a grounding exercise. Really ground yourself first. You're going to light the fire, and carefully, adding the herbs, produce aromatic smoke. Stand. or sit in front of the fire holding your hands over the flames and visualize any stagnant energy or negativity being released and transformed by the fire's purifying power.
As the smoke envelops you, feel a sense of renewal and purification. Take this moment to express your gratitude to the element of fire for its transformative energy and to allow the flames to burn down naturally. As you watch them, the sun at its full zenith during the summer solstice radiates immense energy and life force.
It's the perfect time to honor and celebrate the sun's power, taking a moment to bask in the sun's warmth, feeling its rays on your skin. This can be deeply, deeply spiritual experience. The sun's energy not only nourishes nature, but also rejuvenates our own spirit. The sun's energy can uplift and energize us, inspiring personal growth and creativity.
It's an excellent opportunity to align our intentions with the abundant energy of the sun. This might involve setting goals, making affirmations, or engaging in sun salutations or other solar practices. Myself, I love to get out and do early morning sun salutations on the day of the solstice. Here's another one from the content bundle about to be dropped to inner circle members.
This is a solar water blessing, so we're going to infuse water with the sun's power. Fill a glass or bowl, ideally use glass, use something non reactive, with fresh water and you're going to place it in a sunny spot outdoors. Take a moment to connect with the energy of the sun, feeling its warmth and vitality.
Hold your hands above the water, palms facing down, and visualize golden rays of sunlight entering the water, infusing it with the transformative energy of the sun. Envision the water being charged with the elements of fire and water, and becoming a potent elixir of purification and empowerment. Then you're gonna drink it.
And as you drink it, feel the sun's energy revitalizing every cell of your being, igniting your inner fire, and connecting you with your intuitive depth. Water, with its fluidity and healing properties, helps us wash away stagnant energies, and it just invites a fresh start. It's an opportunity to connect with the ebb and flow of life, and tap into the emotional and intuitive aspects of our being.
Moving on, let's talk about some Earth based practices. Litha offers us an abundance of plants, herbs, and stones to explore. This is an opportune time to connect with the Earth's energies and engage in rituals involving nature's gifts. So that might be creating floral wreaths or making herbal charms or potions.
And working with crystals can deepen our connection with the Earth element as well. There are several plants and herbs associated with Litha. The first one I want to talk about is St. John's Wort. It's often associated with Litha due to its vibrant yellow flowers that bloom around this time of year. It is believed to possess protective qualities and is commonly used in rituals and spells for warding off negative energies as well as promoting positivity.
Great during the peak of summer. Lavender, with its soothing aroma and beautiful purple flowers, is strongly linked to Midsummer. It represents love, healing, purification. Lavender is often used in rituals to promote peace, relaxation, and to enhance spiritual connection during this time of heightened energy.
So it's a good balance to all this fiery, hot sun energy. The tall and radiant sunflower is a powerful symbol of the sun. It holds great significance during the summer solstice. The sunflower represents energy, vitality, and abundance. Sunflowers are used in rituals and decorations to honor the sun's energy and to attract positivity, as well as prosperity, into one's life.
Meadowsweet is one of my favorites. It's a fragrant, flowering plant often associated with Litha. It's used in love spells as it's believed to attract love and strengthen existing relationships. Metasweet is also known for its soothing and calming properties, again, making it a nice balance to all the fiery energy of this sun season.
So, we use it quite often in rituals and celebrations that are centered around relaxation and harmony. Finally, I want to talk about the oak tree. We talked about the oak king. Clearly, the oak is a big player, symbolically, in this time of year. It's a symbol of strength, endurance, and wisdom. It represents the masculine energy associated with the sun and is revered during the summer solstice.
Oak leaves and branches are commonly used in midsummer rituals and decorations. as they invoke protection, abundance, and spiritual growth. These plants and herbs are just a little glimpse into the rich botanical tapestry that accompanies the celebration of Litha. Their associations with this sacred time of year adds depth and intention to rituals and spell work.
They connect practitioners with the energies of the season and are a great way to enhance your magical experience. There are also several crystals and stones that I want to talk about. So as the name suggests, Sunstone is strongly associated with the energy of the sun, making it the perfect crystal for summer solstice.
It's vibrant orange and golden hues reflect the warmth and vitality of the summer. Sunstone is believed to bring joy, abundance, and personal power. It can also help boost confidence, aid in creativity and motivation. And really it's a, it's a powerhouse for manifesting your desires. Carnelian, one of my favorites, is a fiery stone.
It represents the energy of passion and creativity. It's a warm, reddish orange color that aligns with the intense energy of the summer sun. Carnelian is associated with courage, motivation, and vitality, and it can really ignite your inner fire and inspire you to take action towards your goals. It also enhances self expression, and it stimulates our confidence.
Well, primarily associated with the moon, I also want to add moonstone to this list. It's a valuable crystal to, again, balance all this sun energy. We always need to be striving for balance within our magic, within our practice. So as a counterpart to the sun, the moon holds its own significance during the summer solstice.
Moonstone is known for its ethereal luminescent glow, and it really symbolizes the mystical and intuitive aspects of this time. It promotes emotional balance, intuition, and inner reflection, enabling you to tap into your intuition and embrace the transformative energies of Litha. These crystals can be used in various ways during Litha celebrations, such as carrying them as talismans, or incorporating them into altar decorations, or even using them in crystal grids and rituals that take place.
At this time of year, their unique properties and energies enhance the connection with the summer sun and empower practitioners to harness the sun power and embrace the transformative energies of the sacred time by working with plants, herbs, Stones and crystals during Litha, we tap into their unique energies and their magical properties.
It's a chance to harmonize with the earth's rhythms and cultivate a deeper appreciation of the natural world. So whether it's cultivating our own herb garden, using crystals for intention setting, or creating earth altars, there are so many ways to explore earth based practices during this magical time.
Really, by embracing the elements of the fire, sun, water, and earth. We can amplify our connection to the energy of Litha. It's a time to engage in transformative rituals and magic. It's a time to celebrate the sun's power, to purify ourselves through water, and to honor the earth's bounty. Embracing the elements of Litha allows us to align ourselves with the natural world and tap into its abundant energy and magic.
So, light your bonfires, soak up the sun, commune with water, embrace the earth. The elements are waiting. as guides and to inspire you this midsummer journey. And that leads me directly into talking about rewilding, which as you all know, is a subject near and dear to my heart. Rewilding is a powerful concept that calls us to restore our connection with the natural world and reclaim our wild roots in our fast paced and technology driven lives.
It's essential to carve out time to immerse ourselves in nature and nourish our souls. Midsummer provides us with a perfect opportunity to rekindle that connection. The weather's nice, the earth flourishes around us. We can take inspiration from its abundant energy and incorporate nature based activities into our celebrations.
One simple way to engage in nature based activities during midsummer is by spending time outdoors. It's that simple. Go take a hike. Go for a picnic in a local park. I mentioned doing my sun salutations outside in the early morning light. Find a peaceful spot to meditate surrounded by nature's beauty.
Simply allow the sights, the sounds, the sense of the natural world to ground you and replenish your spirit. Connecting with plants and herbs is another great way to embrace nature during midsummer. You might consider going for a botanical walk to identify local flora, do some wildcrafting, maybe learn about the medical properties of your local plants, and um, gather local, what is growing right now, herbs for your rituals and spell work.
Remember, to practice ethical foraging, only take what is sustainable and necessary. Midsummer is also an excellent time to engage in gardening or create small green space, whether you have a backyard or just a few pots on a balcony. Try cultivating some herbs, flowers, even vegetables that resonate with the energy of the season.
Tending to plants not only nourishes the earth, But it nourishes our own connection with nature. And that's a place where we can find a lot of magic. And finally, let's not forget the joy of barefoot grounding. Preaching it out there. Take off your shoes. Walk on the grass or sand. Really allow the Earth's energy to flow through you.
It's a simple yet profound practice. And it really helps us reconnect with the natural rhythms and energies around us. You'll sleep better. As a solitary modern witch, you can celebrate Litha by performing a ritual that honors the sun, the natural world, and your own inner fire. Here are some of the types of magic and spell work that are particularly potent during this time.
Sun magic. By harnessing the energy of the sun, we focus on attributes such as strength, confidence, success, and illumination. So spells involving the sun can be performed to enhance personal power, they increase our motivation, and they can bring clarity to your goals. Love and passion spells. The summer solstice is a time of passion and romance, so spells related to love, relationships, and sensuality can be especially potent during this time.
You can perform rituals to attract a new love, deepen existing relationships, and, you know, ignite the flame of passion in your life. This is not a bad time to explore sacred sexuality and embodied magic, if you were in our rewilding course a couple weeks ago. Fertility and abundance spells. As a celebration of the Earth's bounty, the Summer Solstice is a great opportunity for spells related to fertility, abundance, and prosperity.
You can perform rituals to promote growth and abundance in various aspects of your life. Maybe it's your career. Maybe it's your creativity. Whatever it is. My favorite healing and renewal spells at this time of year, the Summer Solstice is a time of renewal. So bring that into your spell work. Create spells and rituals focused on healing, both physical and emotional.
They can be very potent during this period. You can work with the energy of the sun to promote self healing, release negative energies, and really invite in positive transformation, divination, and insight. The heightened energy of the summer solstice can facilitate deep insights and intuitive guidance.
Divination practices such as tarot reading, scrying, or dream work. can provide valuable messages and clarity for the months ahead. Take advantage of this time to connect with your inner wisdom. Do a tarot spread. Receive guidance from the spirit realm. This is a fantastic time for that. Perform your rituals in nature.
What an awesome way to connect when we perform our rituals outdoors. Consider creating an altar or sacred space in a natural setting. It could be your garden, it could be in the forest, by a body of water. Use the energy of the earth, the sun, and the elements to amplify your intentions, your spell work, your rituals.
Remember, the most potent magic comes from within, so it's really important to align your intentions with the energy of the summer solstice. And then trust in your own power. Focus on gratitude. Focus on clarity and getting purposeful about what you are manifesting. As with any magical practice, always please approach spell work with respect, mindfulness, and a clear ethical framework.
When you are getting ready for a ritual this time of the year, I want you to make sure that you are preparing your space. Clean and clear your ritual area. Set up any altar items you may want to use. Maybe it's candles or incense. Representations of the sun, and then gather any herbs, crystals, and other tools that you want to use.
Take a few minutes. Cleanse those things. If you haven't cleansed them already under moonlight, you can do the smoke cleansing. You can do a water cleansing. Cleanse them, but then take a few minutes. Ground yourself. If you can, stand barefoot on the earth. I like to visualize roots growing out the soles of my feet or out of my body, wherever it's touching the earth and connecting me, tying me into the earth and all of that yummy earth power.
Center yourself by taking a few deep breaths and then just really focusing your awareness on being present. being in your body and being here in this moment. I like to invoke the sun by lighting a candle and saying a simple invocation. You can see mine linked in the show notes for the episode. Take a moment, honor the natural world by making an offering of fruits and flowers to the earth and land spirit.
A bundle of sunflowers placed next to the front door is a favorite of mine, but this can also be done by leaving an offering outside, in a nature spot, or leaving it on your altar. There's lots of things you can leave as offerings to land spirits this time of year. You might gather a selection of vibrant and seasonal flowers and herbs from your garden.
Choosing blossoms and plants As they're in full bloom during the summer solstice, create a beautiful bouquet or an arrangement and place it in a special spot in nature, such as near a tree or on a rock, even by a stream. As you offer the flowers and herbs, be sure to express your gratitude to the land spirits for their presence and blessings.
We talked a little bit about sun water infusions. You can make sun tea by infusing herbs in that solar infusion. You know, filling that jar with pure water, you would add your selected herbs, flowers. You could do citrus slices. Those are associated with the sun. You could add things like chamomile, calendula.
Lemon verbena, orange slices, and then seal that jar and place it in a sunny spot outdoors, preferably on the morning of the summer solstice. Allow it to infuse with the sun's energy throughout the day, and then in the evening, you pour that sun infused water onto the earth as an offering to the land spirits.
Maybe have some for yourself as well. Again, express your appreciation and ask for continued blessings as you do this. Finally, you could offer seeds. Um, seeds represent the potential for growth and abundance. So collect a variety of seeds, either from plants in your garden or those that are native to your region.
My son and I like to make seed bombs this time of year so that we can fire them off over the next couple months and they will be ready for our autumn rains, which are so critical in the wildflower populations here. So anyway, choose seeds that resonate with the energy of litha, such as sunflowers, lavender, or chamomile.
We choose California poppies because they are about as sunny as it gets. As an offering, find a suitable spot in nature, and then you're going to gently pat your seeds into the soil. Infuse them with your intention for growth, harmony, and blessings. And, you know, take a moment, connect with the land spirits, express your gratitude, and ask for guidance in this cycle of life.
Remember, when making offerings to land spirits, it's important to do so with respect and sincerity. Really take time to connect with the energies of the land and express gratitude for their presence and support. Listen to your intuition. Choose offerings that feel meaningful and aligned with the spirit of Litha.
As you engage in Midsummer rituals and spells, Trust in your own power and intuition. Allow the energy of the season to guide and support you on this magical journey. I want to remind all of my listeners to embrace the magic of midsummer, to connect with the natural world, and to let the wilderness within them flourish
For those of you who wish to continue your exploration, I have some recommended reading and resources for you in the show notes. And if you're a member of the Inner Circle, keep your eyes out for the Litho Workshop. Embracing the Magic of Litha, a three day journey through past, present, and future that's going to be dropping in just a couple days
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you, my amazing audience, for joining me on this Midsummer adventure. Your curiosity and enthusiasm inspire me to continue sharing the magic of witchcraft, mysticism, and rewilding. I hope you enjoy diving into the magic of Midsummer and exploring the rituals, spells, and wisdom associated with this time of the year.
Make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss out on future episodes. And if you enjoyed the show, I would be incredibly grateful if you could take a moment to rate and review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback means the world to me and helps others discover the show. Remember, if you're hungry for more knowledge and eager to dive deeper into the craft.
I invite you to visit my website, windmoonmagick.com, that's magic with a k. There you'll find the show notes for this episode along with a treasure trove of free resources. Also consider joining me in the Inner Circle. Inside this special membership you'll gain access to over 22 courses covering a wide range of topics in modern witchcraft, magic, and herbalism.
Become a part of the Inner Circle for free this month when you join the mailing list and you'll gain entry to my exclusive litho workshop. Embracing the Magic of Litha, a three day journey through past, present, and future. To stay connected with me and receive updates, inspiration, and glimpses into my journey, follow me on Instagram @wind_moon_magick, remember that's magic with a K, and underscores between each word.
As we bid farewell for now, I want to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for joining me on this extraordinary adventure. Your support and presence mean the world to me. Until our paths cross again, may the wind carry whispers of ancient wisdom, and may the moonlight guide you on your own magical path.
Farewell for now, and blessings be.
