Litha

[lee-thuh] Between the 20th-23rd of December (22/12/2025)

The Summer Solstice, Midsummer, Midsommar, Sun Feast, Festival of the Sun, Vestalia

The longest day and shortest night of the year. Enjoy beach days and time spent at the river or out in nature. Light and life are abundant. Wear red, orange, yellow and gold to honour the Sun and fire energy. The Summer Solstice is a turning point towards the inevitable darkness of Winter, as the days get shorter from here on out. It is the peak of the Oak King’s reign and the return of the Holly King begins.

How to celebrate Litha, the Summer Solstice, in the Southern Hemisphere

Blog post coming December 2025 - as well as how to decorate your altar, feast ideas and seasonal recipes

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Southern Seasons Litha Candles 2024

Litha 2024 Altar

Featuring solar symbols such as an altar cloth with large Sun face, gold discs, The Sun tarot card, Sun catchers and Sun themed beeswax candles.

Sun Sphere Candle

Small spherical Sun face candle I made from pure NZ beeswax.

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Sun and Moon Candle

My Large Sun and Moon candle is the perfect centrepeice for your Litha altar.

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Bees and Flowers Candle

Bees and Flowers themed pillar candle to honour the bees who pollinate our beautiful Summer flowers.

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Sunlowers Candle

Sunflowers are a symbol of the Sun and bring joy and abundance.

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Litha Intention Bottle of Beach Sand

A little bottle of beach sand and some crab shells I collected from our local beach, displayed on a glass shell plate I found at an opshop.

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Litha Bouquet

A sunflower, St John's Wort, mullein and lilies among others. Search your garden and neighbourhood for what is currently in season. Choose reds, yellows and oranges to match the Sun's firey energy.

Litha Bowl

A bowl with The Sun tarot card, a few sunflowers petals and some rose waxmelts I made.

Oak Leaves

Oak leaves to honour the Oak King who is in his prime at Midsummer, before the Holly King regains his powers and we descend back into darkness after the longest day.

Sun Cake

Make this orange and almond flour cake, decorated with a Sun face made from orange slices, to honour the Sun King in his prime at Midsummer.

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Summer fruits

Summer fruits

All of the Sun coloured fruits that were in season - pineapple, peaches, nectarines, apricots, mandarins, mango, cherries, watermelon. strawberries and raspberries.

Sun Fruit Platter

Make your own Sun shaped fruit platter out of mandarins, peaches, nectarines, apricots, mango, strawberries and raspberries - the children especially will love this one!

Summer Fruit Punch

Fresh fruits and berries chopped up finely mixed with ginger beer and orange juice - add alcohol if desired.

Sun Sticks and Dip

Carrot sticks with homemade roasted capsicum hummus.

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Sun Snacks

Sun dried tomatoes and olives with, smoked peppery salmon and spicey beersticks with cheese cut into Sun rays. (I forgot to add the Sunflower seed crackers).

Dinner

Grilled meats, Summer salad, Sun sticks and my Mother's roast turmeric orange duck.

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Dessert

Fruit salad, homemade berry icecream and Sun cake.

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Family Photo 2024

Wearing Litha colours and my sunflower skirt made by my dear friend Darla.

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Litha altar 2023

Litha 2023 Altar

Featuring gold disc symbolising the Sun, round red candles, the Sun face altar cloth, palm fronds that looked like sunrays, rata flowers and oak leaves

How to Decorate for Litha
Heywood family Litha 2023

Family Photo 2023

Wearing our Sun colours and Summer symbols.

Find out more about Litha

Read my latest ebook to learn about celebrating the Wheel of the Year in the Southern Hemisphere. It is a comprehensive guide featuring an informative page on each festival, including crafts and activities, seasonal foods and home decoration ideas.