HAVING A HAPPY & HEALTHY LITHA

  • Prakritik Admin
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  • Jun, 17 , 21

by TJ Perkins, author of The Healthy Witch: A Workbook for Optimal Health and Four Little Witches.

Litha: the name given to the Wiccan Sabbat. 

For the Witch, it is the time to rededicate to Lugh the sun god, or you may instead celebrate Crunnons, the God of the wild hunt, or recognize the Greenman. Litha is also a time to burn your old magicks and release the final burst of energy to the Cosmos. Rejoice in the returning warmth of summer, and feel love in your heart when life comes forth in one final rush of joy. This is the magic of Midsummer. It is the longest day and shortest night of the year, marking the pinnacle of the Sun’s power to fuel the growing season.

The elements of Fire and Earth are a focus. The element of Fire for the Sun God, and the element of Earth for the Horned God of the forest and its wild animal life. But beyond the spiritual excitement and fun rituals, most of us are more interested in getting outside, exercising, getting in shape and, now that fresh produce is going to be available, eating fresh and healthy.

In my book, The Healthy Witch, I focus on this time of year and encourage you to shake off the staleness of winter, the blahs and snacking too much, and energize your body. When you eat fresh produce, drink lots of water, and indulge in outdoor activities, you ignite the magickal flow within. Your energy flows through your organs, each affecting the other, and if one organ is ‘stuck’ or not functioning properly, your energy will be blocked. 

Blocked energy means any spell work you’re doing will most likely fizzle out or not manifest at all.

I mark Litha/Midsummer as part of the healthy pentagram under Earth. The organs that are attached to this time of year are the stomach and spleen.  No matter how many healthy foods you eat, if your spleen or stomach doesn’t function property, your body can’t take the food and transform it into the energy it needs.

The stomach is the main organ related to weight gain. Stomach energy is the food you eat. If your digestive system is not functioning properly, you will not be able to get enough nutrition or make sufficient energy to meet your body’s daily energy needs. I’m sure you already know this. Too much food leads to bloating and weight gain because you’re not allowing enough time to lapse in order to burn off the calories. You need to find balance, which is another important factor for Litha.

Did you know that your immune system is located in the lining of the stomach? One of the biggest causes of a weakened immune system has to do with the overabundant amounts of sugar that are in everything we eat. Too much sugar makes it easier for unwanted viruses and bacteria to fester longer than they should. Be a label reader and stay away from high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, fructose, or anything with those words in it.

Earth energy of the spleen and stomach helps control the kidney like a dam controls water.  If they are weak, then your kidney will be weak, and the end result will be that your body retains too much fluid.

With warming temperatures, many of us are not as hungry. Still many others of us may suffer from IBS. While there is no ‘cure’ for stomach issues, there are things we can do to combat them:

  • Lay off sugar the best you can.
  • Discover what it is that upsets your stomach and refrain from eating that.
  • Fasting for 24 hours is actually very good for you. You can drink liquids, but do not eat. Doing this will actually reset your system to allow you to get back to a normal eating pattern.
  • Find a Salt Sanctuary and relax in the salt cave, breathe in the fresh salt air, and reap the rewards. These places are becoming very popular, and they clear out your sinuses and lungs, too.
  • Flush out your system by drinking dandelion tea (without sugar). Just hot water and a teabag are all you need. If you feel bloating or tightness in your gut, this type of tea will ease the pain and spasms. Yogi has a very good dandelion tea.

Feeling your best will give you the boost you need to get active. Remember, being outside in the woods is a fantastic way to show your appreciation and respect for the earth elementals and our beloved Horned God.

Earth Walking truly rests your heart and soul. Simply go out in nature, take off your shoes, and set your bare feet upon the earth. Grip the dirt or grass with your toes. Walk along a dirt path gently — that means don’t stomp or plod heavily! When you gently place your feet to the earth as if kissing someone tenderly, you are allowing the energy from your body to join with the energy of the earth.

Litha is not only a time to rededicate yourself to The Path, but also to promise yourself that you will do more Self Care, be a little selfish with your time, and not feel guilty about it; fuel your body with the things that will make you feel good on the inside so you will shine on the outside. Your energy will flow throughout your body so your spell work will be successful, you will be successful, and you will manifest all that is good within yourself. Having a truly mind, body, soul connection within yourself is what it’s all about.

Remember: As Within + So Without = a Healthy Witch

Feel free to get my workbook, The Healthy Witch, and in Spring 2022 pick up your set of The Healthy Witch Oracle cards! You can use them together or separately. I can’t wait for you to begin your magickal health journey, have fun with the spells and rituals provided, and build upon your own personal experience. What works for some may not work for everyone, so pick and choose what pertains to you.

Be a happy, healthy you!

About the Author:

TJ Perkins

TJ Perkins has been practicing Wicca for over 13 years, achieving the status of second degree and Journeywoman. Her prior Pagan picture book for ages 0–6, Four Little Witches, won the 2016 COVR Visionary Art Award. TJ is a gifted and well-respected author in the mystery/suspense genre for YA and fantasy for teens and children, with eight published YA mysteries and a five-book fantasy series titled Shadow Legacy. A strong presence at Balticon, TJ conducts writer workshops and her short stories for young readers have appeared in the Ohio State 6th Grade Proficiency Test Preparation Book, Kid’s Highway Magazine, and webzine New Works Review. TJ’s work has placed five times in the CNW/FFWA chapter book competition, and her short story of light horror for tweens, “The Midnight Watch,” was published in 2007 by Demon Minds Magazine. Adult short stories include “Redemption,” The Reading Place anthology (2014), “The Sapphire Circle,” Dark Luminous Wings (2017), “Thief in the Night,” FLASH (2017), and more.

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