Summer Solstice June 21 2015… Happy Summer Folks… Lots of ideas from Patti Wigington AboutPagan.com

A Blessed Solstice to You All!
June 21 is Litha, the summer solstice, for our northern hemisphere readers. The gardens are blooming, and summer is in full swing. Fire up the barbeque, turn on the sprinkler, and enjoy the celebrations of Midsummer! This Sabbat honors the longest day of the year. Take advantage of the extra hours of daylight and spend as much time as you can outdoors.

If you’re one of our readers below the equator, it’s Yule, the winter solstice, and the longest night of the year. Be sure to scroll down for info on how you can celebrate the return of the sun.

No matter which of these you may be celebrating this weekend, may your solstice be a magical and blessed one.

Litha Rites & Rituals
Depending on your individual spiritual path, there are many different ways you can celebrate Litha, but the focus is nearly always on celebrating the power of the sun. It’s the time of year when the crops are growing heartily and the earth has warmed up. we can spend long sunny afternoons enjoying the outdoors, and getting back to nature under the long daylight hours.

Here are a few rituals you may want to think about trying — and remember, any of them can be adapted for either a solitary practitioner or a small group, with just a little planning ahead.

Midsummer Night’s Fire Ritual
Midsummer Sun Celebration
Hold a Backyard Barbecue Ritual
Amergin Nature Meditation
Celebrate Fathers
Tool Recharging Ritual
Prayers for Litha
Seven Ways to Use Beach Magic
Ten Great Ways to Celebrate Litha
5 Fun Ways to Celebrate Litha with Kids

Customs, Traditions and Folklore of Litha
Interested in learning about some of the history behind Litha? Here’s some background on Midsummer celebrations – learn who the gods and goddesses of summer are, how they’ve been honored throughout the centuries, and about the magic of stone circles!

Litha History
Deities of the Summer Solstice
Litha Folklore and Customs
Setting up Your Litha Altar
Litha Altar Photo Gallery
The Oak King vs. the Holly King
Germanic Pagans and Aerra Litha
The Romans Honor Juno and Vesta
The Vestalia Celebration
Ra, the Sun God
Sun Magic, Myth and Folklore
Sun Worship
The Sun Dance
Stone Circles
Sacred Springs and Holy Wells
Firefly Magic & Folklore
Wildcrafting Herbs
Summer Reading: Witchy Fiction

Craft Ideas and Projects for the Summer Solstice
As Litha approaches, you can decorate your home (and keep your kids entertained) with a number of easy craft projects. Celebrate the sun’s energy with an elemental garden, a fiery incense blend, and a magic staff to use in ritual!

5 Easy Decorating Ideas for Litha
Create an Elemental Garden
Sunflower Candle Ring
Midsummer fire incense
Summer of Love Incense Blend
Handfasting Basket (13 Blessings)
Make a Set of Ogham Staves
Make a Magic Staff
Stone Circle Sundial
Lavender Dream Pillow
Litha Blessing Besom
Make a Summer Solstice Herb Pouch

Feasting and Food

No Pagan celebration is complete without a meal to go along with it. For Litha, celebrate with foods that honor the fire and energy of the sun. Enjoy light summery snack wraps, some fiery grilled salmon, spicy and sweet candied ginger, and more.

Lemon Balm Tea
Savory Snack Wraps
Fresh Fruit Fennel Salad
Fiery Grilled Salmon
Grilled Summer Veggies
Candied Ginger
Brew a Batch of Midsummer Mead

For Our Southern Hemisphere Readers: Celebrating Yule
For people of nearly any religious background, the time of the winter solstice is a time when we gather with family and loved ones. For Pagans and Wiccans, it’s often celebrated as Yule, but there are literally dozens of ways you can enjoy the season.

Rituals and Ceremonies
Yule Magic
Yule Traditions and Trends

Celebrating With Family and Friends
Crafts and Creations
Feasting and Food

MORE FROM ABOUT.COM
10 Things Pagans Want You to Know
Make a Summer Solstice Herb Pouch
Are Pagans & Wiccans Devil Worshipers?
Make a Set of Ogham Staves for Divination
Do Pagans & Wiccans Recruit New Members?
Legends of Litha, the Summer Solstice
Create an Elemental Garden for Lith

Bulldog-Boxer Mix up for adoption @ Oshawa Animal Services: June 2015

This little guy is up for adoption:

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Whitby This Week: Kristen’s Kritters: Jason Liebregts/Metroland
  • Name: Doug
  • Type: American Bulldog-boxer mix
  • M/F:   Male
  • Age:   One Year
  • History: Doug, came to the Oshawa Animal Shelter May 6 2015. He was in rough shape, however after some TLC and treatment Doug now has a clean bill of health. 
  • Temperament: Energetic, Eager to Please.
  • Needs help with: Doug likes to jump up a lot and needs some training. 
  • Best Suited: With older children or adults,(see needs help with)
  • Contact/More Information: Oshawa Animal Services: 905-436-3311

Source: Whitby This Week: Kristen’s Kritter’s Edition June 18 2015: Adopt A Pet: Jason Liebregts/Metroland

Confidence Returns

SGC Admin: We could all use a little bit of that fabulous Mars energy right about now I think… time to get things moving… :) Have a fabulous weekend everyone..

Laraine's avatarRiding Moon Cycles

Moon Cycle: New Moon plus 2 days Moon Phase | June 18, 2015.

Now we are starting back at the time of the cycle that most resembles modern working life.

If you are an overachiever, the next two weeks will bring a return to your comfort zone. By all means, don’t hold yourself back if you are ready!

Business team enjoying victory

It is time to trust your thinking and plans. With a new rush of energy, pursue making your personal mark in the world after the period of self-reflection.

The sense of doubt falls away and confidence returns.

Image credit: iStock

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Whitby Public Library Summer 2015 Hours

SGC Admin, From our Inbox to You:

Whitby Public Library Summer 2015 Hours: 

A illustration of inside the modern library Stock Vector - 36056076
http://www.123rf.com: Copyright : Artisticco LLC

Summer Hours

All Whitby Library locations will be closed on Sundays beginning June 28. Sunday hours will resume on September 13.

All Library locations will be also be closed on Wednesday, July 1, Monday, August 3 and Monday, September 7.

The Central Library will close at 5 p.m. on Fridays from July 3 until September 4, inclusive.    

Our  virtual branch is available 24/7!  

Use it any time to access eBooks, eMagazines, eAudiobooks, research tools and more.    

Rent Tent Durham Summer Solstice/New Moon Event June 2015

Big hot gold sun on clouds  Stock Vector - 24191097
http://www.123rf.com: Copyright : Larisa Kravets

 

  • Event: June Red Tent Gathering
  • Date: June 21 2015
  • Location: Dolly’s Tarot 1 Division St, Bowmanville, Ontario
  • Cost: “by donation only ($5 suggested.) Donations may be monetary donation, time donation (set up & take down), a healing, red pillows, red scarves or fabric, a craft for the gathering, food or an item for the altar”.
  • What’s it all about? “Our New Moon Red Tent Gathering is being held in a brand new little funky space in Bowmanville. We will be celebrating not only the new moon but Summer Solstice as well so come prepared to enjoy part of our time outside (weather permitting). Join us (the rent tent ladies) to celebrate all that it is to be a woman. To share stories, poems, songs and dreams”.
  • Notes **: “There will be music and mooooovement. Please bring a scarf or piece of fabric that you can see yourself swirling with (or waving above your head from your repose on pillows on the floor) We’ll be closing our eyes and dancing summer in to our circle”
  • For more information: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RedTentTempleDurhamRegion/
  • FaceBook page for this event: https://www.facebook.com/events/881468651900472/

The Rent Temple Durham Region, is a place where all women can gather and celebrate being a woman… :)

Please visit either Facebook above page for more information or to inquire about becoming a member :)