Here comes the Sun…

Just a few tidbits about summer solstice and the celebration of Lisha

For hundreds and thousands of years people have been celebrating the summer solstice. Some of the proof is in the structures that are around, structures, such as Stonehenge and the pyramids of Giza. Though the motive of the mysterious English edifice [Stonehenge](https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/graphics/stonehenge-was-one-triumph-amid-a-prehistoric-building-boom-feature) remains untold, this 5,000-year-old dolmen has a notoriously special connection with the solstices. On the summer solstice, the structurs’ Heel Stone, which stands outside Stonehenge’s main circle, lines up almost perfectly, with the rising sun. In Egypt, the [Great Pyramids at Giza a](https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/giza-pyramids)ppear to be lined with the sun as well. When looked at from the Sphinx perspective , the sun sets between the two pyramids of Khufu and Khafre on the summer solstice—though it is I’m certain just how the ancient Egyptians crafted it this way. Many cultures have found individual ways to mark the June solstice. Many revere this special day as a holiday. Lots of parties, dancing, and energy, heightened celebrations mark this day as special.

This year, the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere falls on June 21 at 10:57 a.m. EST. The unofficial beginning of winter happens at this same moment south of the Equator. Although solstices happen simultaneously across the globe, the local times differ due to time zones. Solstices are caused by Earth's tilt of about 23.4 degrees relative to its orbit around the sun. This tilt leads to unequal amounts of sunlight in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres throughout the year, which drives the planet's seasons. From March to September, the Northern Hemisphere experiences spring and summer due to being tilted more toward the sun. From September to March, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, resulting in autumn and winter. The Southern Hemisphere's seasons are reversed. Twice a year, Earth's axis is tilted most closely toward the sun. This results in the hemisphere tilted most toward the sun experiencing its longest day, while the hemisphere tilted away from the sun experiences its longest night. During the Northern Hemisphere's winter solstice (around December 22), the Southern Hemisphere experiences its summer solstice. Conversely, during the Northern Hemisphere’s summer solstice (around June 21), the Southern Hemisphere experiences its winter solstice. The sun's position during solstices can also be used to understand them. During the Northern Hemisphere's summer solstice, the sun appears directly over the Tropic of Cancer, located at 23.5 degrees North. During the Northern Hemisphere's winter solstice, the sun appears directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, which is the southern counterpart of the Tropic of Cancer.

Litha is a super cool summer festival that celebrates the peak of the sun's power and the longest day of the year. It's a great excuse to light up a bonfire and watch the sun rise or set. If you're feeling fancy, you can even decorate your pad with flowers and have a big feast with your squad.To set up a Litha altar, you can just grab a small table and throw a yellow or gold cloth on it. Then, get creative and add some candles, flowers, and other summertime stuff to make it look awesome. If you want to really get into the spirit, don't forget to add some crystals, herbs, and incense that are associated with the sun and the summer solstice. If you're looking to celebrate even deeper, some awesome foods and drinks to include are grilled meats, which symbolize the sun's warmth and power, and mead, which is a honey-based alcoholic drink that is perfect for the summer solstice. You can also add in seasonal fruits like berries and stone fruits, and fresh, crisp salads to keep things healthy. For crystals, citrine is a popular choice and is believed to bring joy and abundance, while sunstone is thought to bring vitality and strength.If you're interested in herbs, marigold is said to bring happiness and prosperity, and chamomile is known for bringing peace and tranquility.

For the solstice this year, I did a six spread tarot card reading that turned out. Amazing, it starts with a question or a problem, or an issue in life and cycles through six cards all the way to the fruition that will happen within a year. I also took the time to make a jar spell of solstice, water , almost as strong as its counterpart, moon, water dish, sun water I’ve infused with turmeric and ginger as well as salt to heighten protection, good, positive solar, energy, while I included my Garnet to infuse the water with health benefits, immune system, regenerating benefits, and put it in the sun on the porch to gain the strength from this amazing significant astrological day. Lastly, for incenses, frankincense is believed to bring spiritual protection and purification, and lavender is great for bringing protection and purification as well. Happy celebrating!

Love you for reading.

Be well