Thread: Litha: Hail to the Sabbat

http://www.paganet.org/pnn/v06/i4/sabbat.html

Hail to the Sabbat
by Lance

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The turning wheel has now brought us to Litha, which may be more commonly known as Midsummer. Litha marks the summer solstice, when the sun is at its peak in the sky, and day is at its longest. It also marks the decline of the sun, as it must inevitably do after its peak.

Some Pagan traditions see Litha as the beginning of the Holly King's reign. This event is sometimes depicted by a battle between the God of the waxing year, the Oak King, and the God of the waning year, the Holly King. The two brothers each represent the light and dark halves of the year, respectively. On this day, the Oak King must give way to his twin, the Holly King, whose reign will continue until the Winter Solstice, when the Oak King is reborn.

It is important to note that the separation of the light and dark halves of the year have nothing to do with good and evil. Light signifies growth and expansion; dark means withdrawal and rest. Both are necessary. Our Holly King, reigning over the dark of the year, does not equate with Satan! On the contrary; the holly, as an evergreen, is a reminder to us from the Holly King that even when all life is apparently gone from the Earth in the cold winter months, he holds life in trust for us. It is he who brings his brother's fertility to completion.

Midsummer is, of course, a fire festival and has at times been called Beltane as both Sabbats usually have bonfires lit during the rites. The traditions of jumping the fire and driving cattle between two bonfires are observed the same as for Beltane. In some areas, a solar wheel would be set ablaze and rolled down a hill as a symbol of the sun's power. In more ancient times, Druids would gather mistletoe in the oak groves, for mistletoe without the berries was viewed as an amulet of protection. Amulets which have lost their usefulness were traditionally destroyed on this day as well. The worn-out amulets were cast into the Sabbat fire, with the respect due them, to be destroyed. The ashes were then scattered to bring blessings to the land. Customs also mention that women should walk naked through their gardens to ensure continued fertility for the season of growth.

Today, in Ireland, the celebration of the summer solstice has been taken over by the Christian St. John, and is celebrated with bonfires at sunset on June 24th. St. John can be seen as an Oak King figure, being sacrificed and succeeded by Christ, who wore the thorny crown.

The full moon of June is known as the "Mead Moon" or the "Honey Moon" due to the activities of gathering the honey, which of course was used to make honey mead. The month of June is also the favorite month in which to be married, hence the term of going on a "honeymoon."

Some ideas for Litha celebrations would include: leaping the fire, singly or in couples holding hands, to bring fruition to your life (whether literal, spiritual or symbolic - if you jump the fire, please take appropriate cautions...don't wear loose clothing, tie up long hair, make the fire small! Be careful!); make a ritual symbol of troubling things in your life you wish to be rid of, then charge them and toss them into the fire to burn them from your life; choose two men in your group to act out the parts of the Oak King and Holly King, ritually enacting the struggle between the two and the defeat of the Oak King; choose a talented woman from your group to dance in celebration of the death of the Oak King and the passing of power to the Holly King; partake in the fruits and vegetables of the season, in honor of the Mother's full richness and abundance; share your garden's harvest with those that are not so fortunate.

...and so the wheel turns.

Interesting reading .. thanks for sharing!