Litha - Summer Solstice

June 20 - 22

Pronounced - Leetha

Litha is celebrated on the longest day of the Year of the Wheel; this is the height of the summer, with abundance everywhere and time to celebrate and give thanks for this.

This is also one of the two the traditional times for the battles between the Oak King and the Holly King. The Oak King rules the "Light" half of the year and reigns until the Summer Solstice, when he is cut down by the Holly King who will reign until the Winter Solstice when they battle again, this time with the Oak King once again winning to reign until the next Solstice.

This ritual battle reminds us that there can be no light without the dark; it is their contrast which makes each possible.