Litha Ritual (with cocktails)
Witchcraft rituals are always unique and personal to everyone’s individual practice – but I hope you find some fun with this little structure below! If you work with deities, don’t forget to thank them, or if you use elemental energy then you could honour it during your ritual. You can do this ritual on your own, or involve a friend if you’re comfortable, but what’s important really is that it’s fun and meets your magickal intentions.
Cleansing the Space:
Find a quiet and comfortable space where you can perform your ritual. Begin by cleansing the area to remove any stagnant or negative energies. Light a bundle of dried herbs, such as sage or rosemary, and let the smoke fill the space. Visualize the smoke purifying the area and clearing away any unwanted energy. As the smoke dances, repeat the following affirmation:
“With the cleansing smoke, I release all that no longer serves. I create a sacred space for joy, celebration, and the turning of the wheel. As this smoke purifies, I invite in the vibrant energy of summer and the blessings it shall reveal.”
Setting Intentions:
Take a moment to ground yourself and connect with the energy of the summer season. Visualize the warm rays of the sun enveloping you and filling your being with vitality. Hold a clear quartz crystal in your hands and infuse it with your intentions for the ritual. State your intention aloud or silently:
“On this joyful occasion, I set my intention to celebrate the summer and honour the turning of the wheel. May this ritual create a space filled with love, laughter, and the essence of the sun. I open myself to the abundance and blessings that this season brings.”
Creating the Sacred Space:
Arrange your ritual tools and ingredients on a beautifully adorned table or altar. Place a vibrant yellow or orange cloth as the foundation, symbolizing the energy of the sun and the warmth of summer. Arrange fresh flowers, citrus fruits, and herbs like rosemary, elderflower heads or mint as offerings to the spirits of the season.
Gin Cocktail Preparation:
Select your favourite Welsh Witch Litha Edition gin and gather the ingredients for your cocktail. As you mix and prepare the drink, infuse each ingredient with your intention for celebration and joy. Whisper or speak the following affirmation:
“In this glass, I blend the spirits of summer. May this cocktail be a potion of delight, carrying the essence of the sun’s embrace. With every sip, I am nourished, uplifted, and connected to the abundant energy of this season.”
Celebration and Gratitude:
Once your cocktail is prepared, raise your glass in a toast to the summer and the turning of the wheel. Express gratitude for the blessings of the season and the opportunities it brings. Sip the cocktail slowly, savouring each moment and allowing its flavours to awaken your senses.
As you enjoy the cocktail, take a moment to reflect on the intentions you’ve set and the energy you’ve invoked. Feel the warmth of the summer sun within you, filling your heart with joy and inspiration. Offer words of gratitude to the universe, the spirits, and the elements for their presence and support.
Closing the Ritual:
When you’re ready, offer a final expression of gratitude and release the energy of the ritual. Blow out any candles, extinguish any incense, and thank the spirits and energies that have joined you. Close the ritual by saying:
“As I conclude this ritual, I thank the spirits/elements/universal energies that have joined me in celebration. I carry the essence of summer within me, and I embrace the abundance and blessings that this season offers. And so it is!”
Allow the sacred space to remain in place for as long as you desire, or dismantle it with gratitude, knowing that its energy lingers within you.
“Sipping the Sun” cocktail recipe
This is a very special “Sipping the Sun” cocktail for Litha, involving all the flavours you can expect with that little bit of magickal-spice added to it!
Ingredients:
50ml Litha Edition gin- 3-4 ripe strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 330ml water
- 2 black tea bags
- 1 fresh lemon, sliced
- 1 small quartz crystal (cleansed and charged)
- Elderberries or Strawberries sliced, for garnish
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
Honey-Soaked Strawberries:
In a small bowl, combine the sliced strawberries with honey. Gently stir until the strawberries are coated in the honey. Set aside to let them soak and release their sweet flavours overnight in the fridge before the solstice.
Sun Tea Infusion:
- Fill a glass pitcher with water and add the black tea bags, lemon slices, and a cleansed quartz crystal. Place the pitcher in a sunny spot outdoors, allowing the sun’s energy to infuse the tea. Absolutely get it covered with cling film or a plate to ensure no insects get in.
- Let the tea steep for 2-3 hours, depending on your desired strength. Once infused, remove the tea bags and lemon slices. Set the pitcher aside.
Cocktail Prep:
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle (mush up) the honey-soaked strawberries to release their juices and flavours.
- Add ice cubes and our Litha gin to the shaker. Shake well to combine and chill the ingredients.
How We Witches Serve:
- Fill a glass with fresh ice cubes.
- Strain the cocktail mixture from the shaker into the glass.
- Top off the glass with the sun tea infusion, pouring slowly to control the desired strength.
- Garnish with a few elderberries, allowing them to float on top of the cocktail.
Final Touch:
- Take a moment to appreciate the summery appearance of the cocktail, reflecting the energy of the sun and the magick boost of the quartz crystal.
- Stir gently with a cocktail stirrer or spoon to combine all the flavours.
Savouring the sweet floral notes of elderflower gin, the vibrant flavours of honey-soaked strawberries, the refreshing taste of sun tea, and the subtle earthiness of elderberries. As you sip this enchanting summer cocktail, feel the warmth of the sun’s energy, the healing power of the crystal-infused tea, and the joy of the season. Cheers to a magical summer!
The power of any witchcraft practice lies within your intentions and personal connection to the elements you choose to incorporate. Trust your intuition, adapt these suggestions to suit your preferences, and let your witchcraft practice be a reflection of your unique magick and empowerment.
And so it is!
Until next time xox
Lizzie Burgess, a secular divination Bosswitch, runs 
