The Longest Day Has Something to Tell You
This Sunday, June 21st, the sun reaches its peak.
Litha — the Summer Solstice — occurs at 8:24 UTC on June 21, 2026, making it the longest day and shortest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Wheel of the Year, Litha is one of eight sabbats: a celebration of abundance, vitality, and the fullness of life in bloom. The word “Litha” itself appears in Bede’s 8th-century work De Temporum Ratione (On the Reckoning of Time), where he recorded the Anglo-Saxon name for the summer months as “Lida,” meaning mild or navigable. The name was adopted into modern Neopagan and Wiccan practice in the 20th century.
And then, quietly, imperceptibly — after this Sunday — the light begins to recede.
The Most Profound Teaching of the Wheel
I find this to be one of the most profound teachings of the Wheel. At the very moment of greatest light, the turn has already begun. Not as loss — but as reminder. Nothing stays at its peak forever. The fullness of this moment is made more precious by its transience.
This is not a reason to grieve. It is an invitation to be present.
Litha asks us: Are you actually here, in your life, right now? Or are you rehearsing the future, or replaying the past?
Presence, Trauma, and the Work of Healing
For those of us healing from trauma and eating disorders, presence is not a given. Our nervous systems have often learned to live anywhere but the present moment — because the present moment, for a long time, was not safe. Dissociation, numbing, hypervigilance — these are not character flaws. They are survival strategies. And part of recovery is gently, patiently learning that it is safe to arrive.
At Fox + Feather, our art therapy services are rooted in exactly this kind of work — using creative expression to help clients return to their bodies, regulate their nervous systems, and build a relationship with the present moment that feels safe rather than threatening. Whether you are navigating eating disorder recovery, processing trauma, or simply learning to inhabit your own life more fully, art is one of the most reliable doorways back.
Art is one of the most reliable doorways back.
Litha Art Directive: A Solstice Sun Wheel
You’ll need paper and any color materials you have on hand — paint, crayon, marker, collage.
Draw a circle in the center of your page. This is your sun — your center, your light source.
From the center, draw rays outward. On each ray, write or draw one thing that is fully alive in you right now. A relationship. A desire. A creative project. A feeling. A grieving process you are navigating. A joy you are allowing yourself to feel.
When the wheel is complete, place it somewhere you’ll see it this week. Let it be a map of your present fullness.
This is presence. This is Litha. This is the work.
Wishing you a luminous solstice, dear ones.
— Sarah Guercia, MA, ATR-BC, LPC, Founder + Owner
FAQ
What is Litha?
Litha is the Summer Solstice — the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Wheel of the Year, it is one of eight sabbats and is celebrated as a time of abundance, vitality, and presence. The name derives from the Anglo-Saxon word “Lida,” recorded by the scholar Bede in the 8th century.
What does the Summer Solstice have to do with mental health?
The solstice is a natural invitation to practice presence — to arrive fully in your own life rather than rehearsing the future or replaying the past. For those healing from trauma or eating disorders, this kind of grounded presence is often a central part of recovery work.
How does art therapy support trauma recovery?
Art therapy uses creative expression to help clients access and process experiences that are difficult to reach through verbal language alone. It engages the body and nervous system directly, making it particularly effective for trauma, dissociation, and eating disorder recovery. Learn more about our approach on our Art Therapy Services page.
Does Fox + Feather offer individual art therapy sessions?
Yes. We offer individual art therapy sessions as well as group work, serving clients ages 8 and older in person in Guilford, CT and via telehealth throughout Connecticut.
How do I get started with art therapy at Fox + Feather?
We offer a free 15-minute phone consultation. Visit our contact page or call us at 860-393-0940 to get started.
Why Choose Fox + Feather Healing Arts
Fox + Feather is Connecticut’s only group art therapy practice specializing in eating disorder and trauma recovery. We weave together anti-diet philosophy, intuitive art therapy, and the rhythms of nature — including the sacred cycles of the seasons — into every aspect of our care. We serve female-identifying clients, trans-femme individuals, and LGBTQIA+ community members ages 8 and older, in person in Guilford, CT and via telehealth throughout Connecticut. We accept Husky insurance and most FSA and HSA plans. Meet our providers or contact us to begin your journey.
References
Bede. (725 CE). De temporum ratione [On the reckoning of time]. Referenced via: Summer Solstice 2026: Date, time & longest day of the year. AcadCalendar. https://acadcalendar.com/summer-solstice/
The Pagan Grimoire. (2026). What is Litha: History, celebration ideas, and rituals. https://www.pagangrimoire.com/litha-celebrate/
Hutton, R. (2008). Modern Pagan Festivals: A Study in the Nature of Tradition. Folklore, 119(3), 251–273.