The Summer Solstice marks the longest day of the year. In northern European lore, the Summer Solstice marks the battle between the Oak King and Holly King, figures representing the waxing and waning forces of Nature. On the day of the Summer Solstice the Holly King defeats his brother the Oak King. Even though this is the longest day of the year, the days begin to grow shorter from this time forward.

In southern Europe, groups such as the Benandanti enacted ritual battles. Fennel and sorghum stalks were used as symbols of light and darkness in a battle over the fertility of crops and herds. In Italian Witchcraft the Summer Solstice is the celebration of the anticipation of plenty, the bounty of Nature and the coming of the harvest season. In many modern Celtic based Traditions of Wicca/Witchcraft the Summer Solstice festival is called Litha. The word litha is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word lida, which means moon.

Some commentators have suggested that "aerra lida" corresponded to the month of June in the Anglo-Saxon calendar, while "aefterra lida" corresponded to July. Some modern Celtic-oriented Wiccans believe that Litha was actually the ancient name of the Summer Solstice although there is no historical evidence to confirm this. In the popular fictional work titled The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien, the author uses the word Lithe to denote Midsummer's Day. In modern Wicca the use of the word Litha for the name for the Summer Solstice first publicly appears in the late 1970's in such works as the Spiral Dance by Starhawk.

The eve of the Summer Solstice is a night of celebration for the Faery Folk because they are of a lunar nature, and the Summer Solstice marks the beginning of the sun's decline in the Wheel of the Year. What we are seeing here is an archaic remnant of older rites (and concepts) that existed before the rise of agrarian society.

St. John's Wort has been, since ancient Greek times, believed to possess the power to banish evil spirits and to protect against harmful magic. It's interesting to note that the Christianized name for the Summer Solstice is St. John's Day (or Festival). The old belief held that the Faery Folk blessed St. John's Wort during their rites, and the herb could then be harvested on the morning of the Summer Solstice. This required one cutting stroke, and one only. The harvester was not to look back over his or her shoulder (particularly not the left one) and could then leave the area after collecting the herbs (but no cutting could be taken where any Faery Ring stood or where even any solitary mushrooms appeared). The harvested herb was then placed over the door of the home, upon the hearth mantle, or was carried in a pouch until the next Summer Solstice (when it could be renewed).

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Summer Solstice / Litha / Midsummer Blends