How to Celebrate Litha
While you may or may not have heard of a holiday called Litha, you almost certainly know it by its more common name, the summer solstice! This day was traditionally called Midsummer, because the summer was considered to extend from May to July. These days, the solstice is the official beginning, rather than the middle of summer, although it's still the longest day of the year. Whatever your background, it's a great day to celebrate the bounty of nature and enjoy the sunniest time of the year.
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Instructions
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Get out into nature! Few times of year are more delightful to spend outdoors than the early days of summer. Sure, it might be hot, but as long as you stay hydrated and don't get too much sun, you should be fine. Consider a picnic, camping trip, or dip in a river. If you like outdoor sports, use this excuse to go hiking or play ball or Frisbee.
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Look for fairies. Litha is considered to be a great day for fairy sightings. This can be an especially fun theme for kids' activities--besides looking for fairies in the woods, you could make fairy-related crafts, read fairy stories and have fairy-sized snacks (or leave the snacks for the fairies).
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Have a seasonal feast. Though the grain harvest hasn't begun, it's a great time of year for fresh produce. Salads, iced tea, honey, and strawberry dishes are especially appropriate, as is any type of picnic fare. If you have a garden, see if any of your produce is ready to use.
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Have fun with flowers. Litha is a great time to create seasonal flower arrangements. You could also collect flowers and leaves for pressing, so you can use them all year-round for craft projects.
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Take advantage of the weather to wear light, flowing clothing, or even go naked if that's what you prefer.
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Take it easy. If you don't have too many pressing responsibilities, the summer is a great time to spend some extra time chilling out. Relax in a hammock, on a porch or balcony, on a boat trip or leisurely walk.
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Tips & Warnings
People who live in the Southern Hemisphere often reverse the dates of their seasonal holidays. So, for example, you could celebrate Litha on December 21, if that's when it's sunniest in your area.
With the sun overhead for so much of the day, be careful not to get burned! If you will be outdoors for a long time, so wear sunblock or protective clothing.
