Midsummer, Litha (Líða) is the beginning of summer.  The Sun has reached both its highest point and greatest strength, and now begins the inevitable decent toward the darkness.  Life is celebrated, for the crops are growing and the people are thriving. 

In many places, Midsummer is celebrated with similar customs from Beltaine.  Bonfires are lit and once again the livestock is guided between two fires, to continue their good health, safety, and that they continue to produce.  Brave lads jump the fires, and how high they leap is thought to be an indicator of the height of the crops when harvested.  Some celebrants would slip off to the woods, to greet the summer in a much more intimate, private celebration.

Sunna, the Norse goddess of the sun, is honored at this time.  Early on Midsummer’s Eve, the bonfire is lit, and is fed by offerings that range from branches and wood to flowers and herbs – giving Her the extra strength that is needed to continue Her voyage through the year toward Yule, where She will need it to return.  Our Norse (Viking) ancestors, with the crops safely in the ground, would also take this time to fish, trade and raid.

A popular Neo-Pagan myth involves the circle of battles between the Oak King and the Holly King.  At Midsummer, the Holly King defeats/kills the Oak King and rules as the waning sun.  The Earth Goddess is now pregnant and will bear the new Sun Child at Yule. 

June is a very popular month for weddings in both Europe and America.  I fondly remember being soundly thrashed by my maid-of-honor for scheduling my wedding over this holiday weekend. (277 words)