Sunne has now reached “the point”, that time of year known as the sunstead or solstice, where she pauses in the sky.  The Old English word for this time of year is Litha.  The word lið means a point, and the solstice takes this name because this holy tide, unlike most, is marked by a specific celestial moment.  Litha celebrates Sunne in her glory when the days are longer than at any other time of year.

For the Saxons, the months preceding and following the solstice were Ærra Liða (before the point) and Æftera Liða (after the point).  Although American calendars often reference this day as “the first day of summer”, the holy tide is actually Midsummer, falling between the beginning of the summer season on May Day and the beginning of the harvest season at Lammas.

My inhíred will be having our Midsummer celebration on Saturday, the 26th, at the full of the moon.  Because of other commitments as an author and speaker, this is the first Liða in years that I will be spending with my híredmenn.  We will be giving offerings to our lady Sunne and to the elves, and will celebrate with a Midsummer feast.

What are your plans for the holiday?