Cybi's space

Litha - Midsummer's Day

In the Uk, this year the summer solstice is the 21st of June It marks the longest day of the year (most hours of day light) and the shortest night (least hours of darkness)

In Wicca, Litha marks the point where the powers of light and the sun are most powerful
Flower and herbs gathered on the summer solstice are believed to be more potent and can then be dryed and stored for use through out the year

The Glastonbury Festival was started as a summer solstice celebration, as the town of Glastonbury is very close to Stone Henge, which is a an ancient monument thought to have been a temple. When the sun rises on Midsummers Day it aligns with the key stones to make for a trully awsome sight

The Sun Wheel Cake

One traditional way to mark Litha is with a sun wheel cake. It 'should' be eaten at sun rise on midsummers day The cake should be made the day before. Then you set out before dawn to watch the sun rising and eat some of the cake. Another tradition is to wash your face with the Litha mornings dew (which is meant to give you a clear complexion and improve your eyesight)

Sun Wheel Cake Recipe
Ingredients;
100g Self-raising flour
100g Castor sugar
100g Margaine
2 medium free range eggs
A few drops of vanilla
topping;
icing sugar
1 table spoon of clear honey
Saffron or yellow food colouring
A few shelled sunflower seeds
Method; Cream the margarine and sugar together until its fluffy and lightens in colour. Add the vanilla. Beat the eggs. Slowly fold in the flour and eggs. Spoon the mixture in to a greased cake tin and bake in a pre- heated oven (180c) for 20-25mins.
Mix the icing(or use ready made if you want) and add the honey. When the cake has cooled, cover the top with the icing mix and arrange the sun flower seeds in the shape of the sun.