In the Northern hemisphere, the days are getting longer and longer, as we come towards the longest day of the year, the Summer Solstice. This day is a very special celebration in traditional British culture, the opposite point on the Wheel of the Year from the Winter Solstice (Yule, or Christmas).

The traditional British name for the Summer Solstice Day is Litha (pronounced ‘lee-dha’), which has been translated as ‘gentle’. On Midsummer’s Day the soft summer breeze blows gently through the heather which is buzzing with bees. It is a time to give thanks for life getting easier in the warmth of the season.

As with all eight celebrations of the traditional British Wheel of the Year, there are many stories and symbols associated with Litha. In ancient British culture, trees are very important. Each month has its own tree, each with its particular properties and healing powers. Then there are the two trees which symbolically rule over the two halves of the year: the dark and the light. These are the two Kings, the Oak King and the Holly King.

The Oak tree (quercus robur) grows very large and for many years. There are some oak trees still left in the UK which are over 1,000 years old. As such, the oak is a symbol of strength and endurance. It is a deciduous tree, which means it loses its leaves in the autumn and has bare branches all winter. The Oak King is the ruler of the light half of thee year, the time from the Winter Solstice to the Summer Solstice, when the amount of daylight in the year is steadily increasing.

The Holly tree (Ilex spp) is an evergreen shrub. It grows fast and has a very slim trunk, but can get taller than an oak tree. It is an evergreen tree, which means the leaves stay green all year round. It has small, white, star-shaped flowers, and bright red berries which become ripe in the middle of winter. As such, it is a symbol of beauty and life in the darkness.

The story goes that the Oak King and Holly King are brothers, but nevertheless, every year they fight. On Midwinter’s Day, the Oak King defeats the Holly King, so the light half of the year can begin. This is celebrated, even in modern Britain and all over Europe, by cutting holly branches and decorating our houses with them.

On Midsummer’s Day, the Holly King defeats the Oak King, so that the dark half of the year can begin. This is traditionally celebrated by burning oak logs on a bonfire. Indeed, bonfires are an important part of Litha, and even today, all over Europe, Midsummer’s night is celebrated by dancing and singing around the fire.

How do you celebrate Midsummer in your culture? Please let me know in the comments below!

There are many more stories associated with Litha, and with the other eight celebrations of the traditional Wheel of the Year. If you would like to know more, please book a class with me.