It's almost Litha, which means we're coming up on the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Sun worship is a custom that has gone on nearly as long as mankind itself. In North America, the tribes of the Great Plains saw the sun as a manifestation of the Great Spirit. For centuries, the Sun Dance has been performed as a way to not only honor the sun, but also to bring the dancers visions. Learn more about this Native American tradition: The Sun Dance

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Litha falls in the middle of summer, right before things start to get unbearably hot in most parts of the world, so it's a perfect time to celebrate by having friends and family over for a cookout. Why not take advantage of this get-together and turn it into a fun celebration of the summer solstice? After all, if summer is about having fun with the people you love, a Litha backyard barbecue is the perfect way to mark the season! Backyard Barbecue Ritual

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Periodically, I get emails bemoaning the lack (or sadly short life span) of Pagan shops. There are hundreds of Pagan and Wiccan-themed shops that start up and fail each year. Why? Because they don't have the business they need to stay solvent. Small and locally-owned Pagan businesses do need support from the community -- otherwise, they're going to disappear. Why should you patronize a local Pagan shop? Here are a few reasons it's important: Supporting Pagan Shops.

Readers, where are your favorite Pagan/Wiccan shops located, and why do you love them?

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If you're up in the northern hemisphere, it's Litha, and it's a great time of year to get outside and reconnect with the natural world. In addition to growing your own magical herbs in your garden, in many areas you can harvest herbs from their natural environment -- in the wild. This is known as wildcrafting, and is becoming a popular pastime. If you're one of the many Pagans or Wiccans who enjoys working with herbs, you may want to look into wildcrafting. However, much like any other natural resource, herbs must be harvested responsibly. Here's how to be a responsible and ethical wildcrafter: Wildcrafting Herbs

Don't forget to sign up for the free Seven Day Litha Class!

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