The summer solstice is an important day in the Wiccan calendar, marking the peak of the sun's power and the longest day of the year. In 2023, Wiccans around the world will gather to celebrate this special occasion. The Wiccan observance of the summer solstice is known as Litha, which derives its name from an ancient Celtic festival. It is a time of joy and celebration, as Wiccans honor the Sun God and the Goddess of the Earth. The summer solstice represents a balance between light and darkness, and it is believed to be a time of heightened spiritual energy. During the Litha celebration, Wiccans may gather in outdoor spaces, such as gardens or forests, to connect with nature and the elements.
During the Litha celebration, Wiccans may gather in outdoor spaces, such as gardens or forests, to connect with nature and the elements. Bonfires are often lit to represent the power of the sun, and rituals are performed to honor the changing seasons and offer gratitude for the abundance of the Earth. Wiccans may also participate in rituals that involve dancing, singing, and chanting, as a way to raise energy and commune with the divine.
Siwa Oasis-Magical String of Salt and Freshwater lakes in the Egyptian Western Desert
September 2021: Although I had already been to Egypt 3 times, we were so close and Paula has never been there, so it was an easy decision to return. Besides, I love Egypt-the ancient history and what isn’t there to like about mummies, tombs, curses and pyramids? Egypt embodies the childhood sense of adventure that lives within all of us.
In past trips to Egypt, I traveled up the Nile River, obtained an advanced diving certification in the Red Sea, visited the Sinai Peninsula so on this trip, I wanted to visit a new part of Egypt, the ancient oasis town of Siwa in the western desert along the Libyan border. Of course Paula would have to visit the Giza pyramids too. Since we only had three full days in Egypt, we decided to maximize our time by skipping the hotel stay on the night of our arrival. Instead we slept in the car, while our driver drove all night to Siwa. Sacrificing comfort for travel and adventure was nothing new to Paula and I so this was an easy decision.
About Siwa Oasis
Location of Siwa Oasis-a series of lakes on the edge of the great western sand sea of the Egyptian desert
Siwa Oasis is a fertile area of a series of fresh and salt water lakes bordering the edge of the Great Egyptian Sand Sea in the Western Desert along the Libyan border. It is one of the most remote human settlements in Egypt and has been inhabited for thousands of years since Pharaonic times. Alexander the Great was coronated as Emperor in Siwa, and Cleopatra is said to have visited this oasis town. More recently, World War II battles occurred between the British and Germans there.
Currently, 30,000 people mostly desert Berbers who speak a unique Siwa dialect live in Siwa. The population of Siwa was extremely isolated for many years and only a few decades ago were given electricity and asphalt roads. The Siwa people very conservative and due to the area’s isolation, few tourists make it to Siwa compared to other areas of Egypt. To get to Siwa, we had to fly into Cairo, meet our driver at the airport and drive 11 hours overnight to avoid the traffic and heat of the day. We drove north along the desert to the Mediterranean Coast and then turned inland towards the desert passing through 5 military checkpoints. A few of the checkpoints are very thorough and every personal item will be searched.
Long Overnight Drive to Siwa
Our driver and guide met us at the airport. Although Egypt is an easy country to travel independently in, a guide and pre-arranged driver was necessary since we only had three days and our plans were very ambitious. Our first order of business was to obtain a Covid test, which we needed to return home. Our guide had a doctor friend who could meet us in the street and take a PCR test from us in our vehicle. The doctor took our samples without gloves on or a mask and after a few minutes he was off. The price was steep and just about everything about the test was suspect. But in the end a few days later we received our test reports on time and the airlines accepted them.
After sorting our our testing business, we took a shortcut through Cairo by crossing the City of the Dead. Even though it was 10pm the traffic in Cairo never sleeps. The City of Dead, is one of the largest necropolis’s in the world. It is miles long with thousands of entombed souls dating back to 900AD. The area is huge and despite it’s name, large populations of the impoverished live side by side with the dead. Many are paid by the families of the dead to look after the tombs. others have moved in because they have no where else to go. The area is incredibly fascinating and many of the tombs are beautiful. There are risks to visiting however as gangs of glue sniffing youths are known to rob outsiders. This was my second time to the City of the Dead and it is one of my favorite places in Cairo. We took our time driving through and our guide requested we lock the doors and keep the windows rolled up to avoid tempting any bandits.
City of the Dead Tomb
After leaving the City of the Dead and Cairo, Paula and I fell asleep in the backseat. On occasion I would awake to take a peek outside but there was not much to see aside from an odd camel and the occasional bush. After reaching the Mediterranean we drove 7 hours through the flat featureless desert plains before reaching Siwa. The roads were mostly empty with the exception of the occasional semi-truck traveling from Libya.
Empty Desert Road to Siwa
In my travels, I have discovered that life can exist anywhere even in places where it would seem no life could exist, like the hostile Egyptian desert. But low and behold, when we pulled the car over to urinate in the desert one morning during sunrise, our guide found a chameleon sitting on top of a branch in one of the only bushes for miles in any direction. The chameleon was so blended in with his surroundings, that it took me a few minutes to find him when our guide tried to point him out to me. To the guide’s astonishment, I picked him up and carried him on my shoulder and brought him to the car to surprise Paula, still sleeping. She was not expecting to wake up to the sight of a chameleon in her face, but she did. The little guy was not pleased with me and he hissed and but me rather hard. After a few photos, I decide I ruined enough of his day, and returned him to his bush.
Chameleon we found in the desert
Chameleon we found in the desert sun basking on top of Paula’s head
After a while, the barren desert gave way to greenery and date palms. We arrived at Siwa, which is surrounded by dozens of fresh and saltwater lakes scattered here and there along towering sand dunes that extend 500 miles into Libya and the south of Egypt. The first place we visited was the Mountain of the Dead also known as Gebel al-Mawta, a mountain on the edge of town that is the site of hundreds of ancient Egyptian and Greek tombs. Most of them have already been raided by tomb raiders over the centuries, but some I was told likely remain unexplored within the mountain. The caretaker awakened from his sleep when we arrived. As is the case with much of Egypt during Covid, we had the place to ourselves.
Mountain of the Dead
After leaving the City of the Dead and Cairo, Paula and I fell asleep in the backseat. On occasion I would awake to take a peek outside but there was not much to see aside from an odd camel and the occasional bush. After reaching the Mediterranean we drove 7 hours through the flat featureless desert plains before reaching Siwa. The roads were mostly empty with the exception of the occasional semi-truck traveling from Libya.
The summer solstice is seen as a time for renewal and growth, both in nature and in personal spiritual journeys. In addition to the traditional rituals, Wiccans may engage in other activities to honor the summer solstice. This can include creating flower crowns, making herb sachets, or collecting and drying herbs for future spellwork. The focus is on connecting with the natural world and harnessing the energy of the sun for personal growth and transformation. The Wiccan observance of the summer solstice is a time of joyous celebration and connection to the cycles of nature. It is an opportunity for Wiccans to honor the sun and the earth, and to tap into the heightened spiritual energy of this auspicious day. Whether through rituals, ceremonies, or other activities, Wiccans will come together in 2023 to celebrate Litha and embrace the power and magic of the summer solstice..
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