Well, Litha or Summer Solstice as the mundane call it, has passed. However, Sacred Wheel CUUPs is hosting it this Sunday instead of last weekend.

Why are we hosting it so late at the UU Congregation at Montclair NJ? Because life happens when you are busy making plans. As leader of Sacred Wheel, I had only three options and the first — holding it early wasn’t one of them. There was too much going on at the Church the week before the General Assembly. I spent a great deal of time oddly working both jobs right up to the day before I left.

The second, skipping it all together didn’t sit right with me. So we are on the third and final choice, holding it a week late.

I again attended the UUA’s General Assembly in Baltimore, Maryland as a delegate for my congregation. The otter in me was beyond happy — shrimp and grits for breakfast, fried fish and crab — and soft shell nonetheless.  Furthermore, the Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael, senior co-minister, was correct, the best crab cakes come from there. But it’s the other reason I couldn’t officiate Litha at UUMC last weekend.

Now back to Litha.  As we know it’s the longest day and shortest night, at least here in the Northern Hemisphere. In the southern latitudes they’re celebrating Yule. It was probably a bigger deal for our ancestors because they relied solely on their crops and animals and needed the extra light for everything to thrive.

I imagine with the sudden drop in temperatures, like we’ve had here in New Jersey, our ancestors would probably hold a special ritual, especially since the skies are so gloomy. Sure rain is needed, however this otter even thinks this is just a bit much. We, as modern people know that the sunlight will return, however, our ancestors were not that sure. They performed rituals to help the weather, crops, and livestock along such as at Litha. Some rituals are for celebration and others are to help Mother Earth specific, people or animals. I do believe with the streak of below temperature norms that they would be holding weather-focused rituals now as well.

In my path of Druidry, Litha is called Alban Hefin which means ‘The Light of the Shore.’ That is a great description for this otter, who tends to love the ocean, or any other form of water. During our recent Board meeting, I said my favorite summer pastime is in the water — ocean preferred. I have other favorites though, including watching a baseball game (Go Mets!), digging in my garden and hanging with friends. I don’t consider art or music a pastime. While I do love them both, art for one is partly work and both are needed to destress. Music is usually on for background sounds as well. 

However, for me, ‘The Light of the Shore’ holds a different meaning. This reminds us Druids that the seashore is where the three realms of the Earth, Sea and Sky meet and is respected and appreciated as a liminal or in-between place. Add a rising sun or moon and you have the makings for a special ritual, no matter the time of year.

Additionally, this is the time that we assess our gardens and prepare to help them in those very hot dry days ahead. After all, most of us just finished our first summer heat wave and this is only the beginning. July and August are around the corner.  Typically the hottest months of the year. Nourish your gardens, both veggie and flower and they will return the favor.  So go water them and prune them or pick off the fruits they produce. By doing this you will receive both spiritual and physical nourishment. We grow as they do. While they physically get bigger we grow internally. Hint, it is not too late to put in fast growing crops like lettuce beans and the Mediterranean herbs.

At the same time, nourish your insides. Not just with your home-grown or farmers’ market produce, but making time for things you want or have promised to do. Take a book outside after supper and read while the day cools off. Go hiking or just walking in the woods or spark. Take along a guidebook to help identify the trees, birds, or plants you find. Share the trips with kids or grandkids.  This is the traditional way kids learn and it tends to stick far better than normal schooling.

It’s midsummer,  Lughnassadh and the first grain harvest is only six weeks away. This also means there’s a little over 13 weeks before the wheel turns again at Samhain.  So reviewing your progress on your new year’s promises is timely. If you need to fine tune it, now is the time. Oh and enjoy the longer days for now, while you can.

See also: Changes — as UU Pagans, lets flow with them and grow

and Ritual on the fly — When and how to run an effective Sabbat