Litha Explained: Candle Traditions for the Longest Day of the Year

There’s a moment in June when everything feels stretched; light, time, energy, possibility.

It’s not just another summer day. It’s Litha, the summer solstice, when the sun is at its peak and the wheel of the year turns on golden hinges.

For centuries, Litha has marked a time of celebration, fertility, power, and reflection. And while bonfires and feasts were once the norm, modern rituals have grown gentler, more personal. For many of us, lighting a candle is the simplest way to honour the season’s brightest moment.

So, what exactly is Litha and how can you celebrate it meaningfully, one flame at a time?

Let’s slow down, breathe in the scent of midsummer, and explore.

What Is Litha, Really?

Litha is one of the eight sabbats on the Wheel of the Year, celebrated between June 20th and 23rd in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s the longest day and shortest night, a time when the sun seems to pause at its highest point in the sky. (In fact, the word “solstice” comes from Latin: sol meaning sun, and sistere, to stand still.)

Rooted in ancient European and pagan traditions, Litha has always been a celebration of life at its fullest. The earth is buzzing; flowers bloom, bees work overtime, and everything feels just a little more alive.

In old folklore, this was a time to honour the sun gods, give thanks for abundance, and prepare for the gradual return of the dark. Fire and light were central to the celebrations, which makes candles a natural part of modern practice.

Why Candles for Litha?

Sure, a full-blown solstice bonfire might be ideal; but let’s be honest, not everyone has a meadow and a fire pit on hand.

Candles give us the same symbolic energy, in a form that fits easily on our altar, kitchen table, or sunny windowsill. A lit candle honours the element of fire, celebrates the peak of light, and invites warmth into your space.

It’s small-scale sun magic.

Plus, scent adds another layer. The right fragrance doesn’t just set a mood—it marks a moment. One inhale, and suddenly it’s midsummer again.

Candle Traditions for the Solstice

Celebrating Litha can be as simple or elaborate as you want. Here are a few easy, meaningful ways to bring candles into your solstice rituals:

1. Create a Solstice Altar

Place a candle at the centre, surrounded by seasonal symbols like sunflowers, herbs, citrine, fresh fruit. Let the candle be the heart of your altar, radiating warmth through your space.

2. Use Scent Symbolically

Scents like citrus, herbs, wildflowers, and honey are perfect for Litha and our Sabbat candles have all been designed to help bring the scents of their seasons into your space.

Our Brigid, The Fair Folk, or Garden of Earthly Delights candles also all bring that bright, earthy joy that the season deserves.

3. Set Intentions with Flame

Write your intentions or wishes on a piece of paper, light your candle, and meditate while it burns. Focus on what you want to grow and nourish this season. (Then tuck the paper under your candle, or burn it safely if that’s part of your tradition.)

4. Time Your Lighting

Try lighting your candle at sunrise, noon, or sunset, the key solar moments of the day. Let the timing itself become part of ritual.

Litha Is the Pause Before the Shift

Even as we celebrate the sun at full power, Litha also reminds us that change is constant. After the solstice, the days begin to shorten again. The light starts its slow retreat.

So light your candle. Watch it glow. Let its flicker remind you that joy can be both fierce and fleeting, and that’s exactly what makes it beautiful.

🕯️ Explore Seasonal Scents
☀️ Celebrate Litha in your own light