Litha

Also known as Summer Solstice or Midsummer occurs between December 20 and 22 (June 20 and 22 in the north) marking the death of the sun and the return of winter. This is the longest day of the year.

Symbols: The sun; all things yellow, orange and round; full pregnancy; big oak branches; gardenias; poinsettias; cherries; plums; apricots; passionfruit

Herbs: Basil, wood betony, chamomile, cinquefoil, dogwood, elder, fennel, fern, frankincense, lavender, lemon, rose, St John’s wort, thyme, vervain, yarrow