I know it makes me sound like the worst witch and Pagan that ever existed, but this is the very first year I celebrated Litha (a.k.a. The Sumer Solstice).
To be honest, I was both excitedly-intrigued and definitely-nervous: excitedly-intrigued for this brand new and exciting to-do I have never done before, and definitely-nervous for...well...this brand new and exciting to-do I have never done before.
Go figure.
Growing up in my good Christian home, you were never allowed to celebrate Pagan traditions, and witches were what you were during pretend time as a kid. So, this was new territory for me, and I wanted to do it right. So, I read everything regarding properly celebrating Litha online, from meditating in the sun and wearing either yellow or gold, to dancing skyclad and giving thanks to the Goddess of Fertility.
Here's how it all broke down: I was going to wear yellow but I virtually own nothing of that color in my closet. In truth, I detest the color yellow in clothing. I'm not sure why but it just does nothing for me. Second, I was going to meditate under the sun but considering the Tennessee drought, the sun was scorching and that was out of the question. And as far as skyclad goes, Yeah...maybe when no one is watching. I don't want to traumatize my neighbors' eyes, even though one of my neighbors walks outside without her bra under her shirt, and her two boobs look like deflated hanging baskets.
Ummmm...Goddess bless her heart. 😉
The best part about being both Pagan and a witch is there's really nothing you can screw up regarding sabbats and celebrations. But there was something I did do, especially since this celebration is also about old things passing away. I sat in a tub of hot water and sprinkled the water with sea salt. As I sprinkled the sea salt, I began to be thankful: thankful for the sun, and the warmth, and for the Earth. I learned to be thankful for the old things that have passed. And as I soaked in the water and let the sea salt absorb into my flesh, I decided to let those things absorb into me that are of love and light, and to let the things I cannot change of yesterday die out.
There are other things I plan on incorporating for next year's Litha. And hopefully next year I'll be more prepared with little worry and lots of sunscreen.
