Summer solstice is an astronomical event that occurs twice a year, usually on June 21st and December 21st. It marks the beginning of summer and winter, respectively. During the summer solstice, the sun reaches its highest point in the sky and appears to stand still for a brief moment before reversing its direction. This day has great significance in various cultures and religions around the world. In Wicca, the summer solstice holds immense importance and is celebrated as Litha. Wicca is a modern pagan religion that follows the worship of nature and the divine.
Patti Wigington is a pagan author, educator, and licensed clergy. She is the author of Daily Spellbook for the Good Witch, Wicca Practical Magic and The Daily Spell Journal.
By watching agricultural changes such as the ground becoming warmer, and the emergence of plants from the ground you ll know exactly how you should welcome the season. At the ruins of Chichen Itza, the ancient Maya city in Mexico, crowds now gather on the spring and fall equinox to watch as the afternoon sun creates shadows that resemble a snake moving along the stairs of the 79-foot-tall Pyramid of Kukulkan, also called El Castillo.
Wicca is a modern pagan religion that follows the worship of nature and the divine. Litha is a time to honor the power of the sun and embrace the abundance of nature that surrounds us. It represents the peak of the sun's energy and the longest day of the year.
Books to Help You Celebrate the Vernal Equinox Like the Modern Witch You Are
Summon the coven via Facetime! The light and darkness may be in balance for now, but, in the words of Ariana Grande witch-extraordinaire, “The light is coming.” The Vernal (read: Spring) Equinox is upon us! Now is the time to celebrate the power of nature emerging anew. However, since we’re all stuck indoors, what better way to do that than by diving into some truly witchy books? We may not be able to convene the coven in person, but at least we can live vicariously through some fictional ones. With that in mind, here’s a list of books you can read to celebrate Ostara (see below) like the modern witch you are.
Witches of Ash and Ruin
by E Latimer
Modern witchcraft blends with ancient Celtic mythology in an epic clash of witches and gods, perfect for fans of V.E. Schwab's Shades of Magic trilogy and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
Seventeen-year-old Dayna Walsh is struggling to cope with her somatic OCD; the aftermath of being outed as bisexual in her conservative Irish town; and the return of her long-absent mother, who barely seems like a parent. But all that really matters to her is ascending and finally, finally becoming a full witch—plans that are complicated when another coven, rumored to have a sordid history with black magic, arrives in town with premonitions of death. Dayna immediately finds herself at odds with the bewitchingly frustrating Meiner King, the granddaughter of their coven leader.
And then a witch turns up murdered at a local sacred site, along with the blood symbol of the Butcher of Manchester—an infamous serial killer whose trail has long gone cold. The killer's motives are enmeshed in a complex web of witches and gods, and Dayna and Meiner soon find themselves at the center of it all. If they don't stop the Butcher, one of them will be next.
Regular Price $10.99
Regular Price $14.99 CAD
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The Devouring Gray
by C. L. Herman
"Fans of The Raven Boys and Stranger Things rejoice: This is your new obsession." —Claire Legrand, NYT bestselling author of Furyborn
After her sister's death, seventeen-year-old Violet Saunders finds herself dragged to Four Paths, New York. Violet may be a newcomer, but she soon learns her mother isn't: They belong to one of the revered founding families of the town, where stone bells hang above every doorway and danger lurks in the depths of the woods.
Justin Hawthorne 's bloodline has protected Four Paths for generations from the Gray—a lifeless dimension that imprisons a brutal monster. After Justin fails to inherit his family's powers, his mother is determined to keep this humiliation a secret. But Justin can't let go of the future he was promised and the town he swore to protect.
Ever since Harper Carlisle lost her hand to an accident that left her stranded in the Gray for days, she has vowed revenge on the person who abandoned her: Justin Hawthorne. There are ripples of dissent in Four Paths, and Harper seizes an opportunity to take down the Hawthornes and change her destiny—to what extent, even she doesn't yet know.
The Gray is growing stronger every day, and its victims are piling up. When Violet accidentally unleashes the monster, all three must band together with the other Founders to unearth the dark truths behind their families' abilities. before the Gray devours them all.
Regular Price $9.99
Regular Price $12.99 CAD
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The Diviners
by Libba Bray
A young woman discovers her mysterious powers could help catch a killer in the first book of The Diviners series--a stunning supernatural historical mystery set in 1920s New York City, from Printz Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Libba Bray.
Evangeline O'Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and sent off to the bustling streets of New York City--and she is ecstatic. It's 1926, and New York is filled with speakeasies, Ziegfeld girls, and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is that she has to live with her uncle Will and his unhealthy obsession with the occult. Evie worries he'll discover her darkest secret: a supernatural power that has only brought her trouble so far.
When the police find a murdered girl branded with a cryptic symbol and Will is called to the scene, Evie realizes her gift could help catch a serial killer. As Evie jumps headlong into a dance with a murderer, other stories unfurl in the city that never sleeps. And unknown to all, something dark and evil has awakened.
Regular Price $16.99
Regular Price $22.99 CAD
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Teeth in the Mist
by Dawn Kurtagich
Three generations of women uncover an ancient evil in this epic genre-bending horror-fantasy -- a "fearless" Faustian tale perfect for fans of Kendare Blake and Ransom Riggs (Cat Winters).
Before the birth of time, a monk uncovers the Devil's Tongue and dares to speak it. The repercussions will be felt for generations . . .
Sixteen-year-old photography enthusiast Zoey has been fascinated by the haunted, burnt-out ruins of Medwyn Mill House for as long as she can remember -- so she and her best friend, Poulton, run away from home to explore them. But are they really alone in the house? And who will know if something goes wrong?
In 1851, seventeen-year-old Roan arrives at the Mill House as a ward -- one of three, all with something to hide from their new guardian. When Roan learns that she is connected to an ancient secret, she must escape the house before she is trapped forever.
1583. Hermione, a new young bride, accompanies her husband to the wilds of North Wales where he plans to build the largest water mill and mansion in the area. But rumors of unholy rituals lead to a tragic occurrence and she will need all her strength to defeat it.
Three women, centuries apart, drawn together by one Unholy Pact. A pact made by a man who, more than a thousand years later, may still be watching . . .
This haunting, captivating, and "delightfully disturbing" mystery redefines horror and fantasy (Kirkus).
Regular Price $18.99
Regular Price $24.99 CAD
The word Ostara is just one of the names applied to the celebration of the spring equinox on March 21. It's been celebrated and observed for a long time in many places around the world.
During the summer solstice, Wiccans often gather in groups, known as covens, or individually to perform rituals and ancient ceremonies. These rituals typically involve lighting bonfires, dancing, chanting, and making offerings to the sun, earth, and other natural entities. It is a time of joy, celebration, and spiritual connection. Wiccans believe that the energy during the summer solstice can be harnessed for personal growth and manifestation. It is a time to set intentions, reflect on one's spiritual journey, and embrace the power of the sun's warmth and light. The energy of the summer solstice is believed to enhance creativity, vitality, and the ability to manifest desires. In addition to the rituals and ceremonies, Wiccans may also engage in activities such as nature walks, meditations, and spending time outdoors to connect with the natural world. They may create altars adorned with flowers, herbs, and other symbolic elements to honor the sun and the cycles of nature. Overall, the summer solstice is a significant event in the Wiccan calendar, representing the balance between light and dark, the peak of the sun's energy, and the celebration of nature's abundance. It is a time of spiritual connection, reflection, and embracing the power of the sun to manifest desires and embrace personal growth..
Reviews for "Opening the Gateway: Connecting with Other Realms and Deities on the Summer Solstice in Wicca"
1. John - 2 stars - "I was really looking forward to reading 'Summer Solstice 2023 Wicxa' as I am a fan of the author's previous work. However, I was left disappointed. The plot was slow and lacked depth, and the characters felt one-dimensional. The writing style was also quite average, with no stand-out prose or descriptions. Overall, it failed to capture my interest and I struggled to finish the book."
2. Sarah - 2 stars - "I found 'Summer Solstice 2023 Wicxa' to be quite predictable and cliché. The story followed the typical young adult fantasy formula, with a chosen one discovering her powers and saving the world. The romance plotline felt forced and unoriginal. Additionally, I couldn't relate to or connect with any of the characters, as they lacked depth and development. Overall, it was a forgettable read that didn't bring anything new to the genre."
3. David - 1 star - "I was extremely disappointed with 'Summer Solstice 2023 Wicxa'. The writing was mediocre at best, with awkward dialogue and lackluster descriptions. The plot was convoluted and confusing, with too many unnecessary subplots that didn't add anything to the story. The characters were poorly developed and unlikeable, making it hard for me to care about their fate. I struggled to finish the book and wouldn't recommend it to others."
4. Emily - 2 stars - "I expected 'Summer Solstice 2023 Wicxa' to be an exciting and immersive fantasy read, but unfortunately, it fell flat. The pacing was slow, and the story lacked compelling twists or surprises. The magical elements felt underdeveloped and poorly explained, leaving me feeling confused throughout the book. The main character also lacked agency and seemed to rely on others to solve her problems. Overall, it was a disappointment and I wouldn't recommend it."