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Ten of Wands. Art by Cedar McCloud, from The Magic Pantry Tarot.

▪ Burdens ▪ Struggle ▪ Burnout ▪ Warding off Ah, garlic! One of the most beloved seasonings in the world—and one of the most pungent. Whether you are a garlic lover or a hater, it’s hard to deny that its scent and flavor can be quite strong, even repulsive, especially when raw. Is there something or someone in your current situation who feels overwhelming or burdensome? Off-putting, even? Too much garlic (some people say there’s no such thing, but I must be spicy and disagree) can overpower other flavors in a dish. Are you currently in a situation that is so heavy, it blocks out all other desires and responsibilities? Might there be a way to lessen its burden on your life and let those other flavors shine through? Garlic is high in oligosaccharides, a type of complex carbohydrate chain which the human body finds difficult to digest. Is there something or someone in your life right now that you’re having trouble stomaching, no matter how much you desire it? How is your body handling current stressors? Garlic is famous for warding off vampires, whose blood-sucking is an easy metaphor for things that drain us of our energy. Do you have an energetic vampire in your life, whether that’s a person, a job, a commitment, etc? How is it affecting you?

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It is also

National Ice Cream Soda Day.

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All About Litha

Litha is the modern name given to the Wiccan and pagan holiday for the summer solstice, a.k.a. the longest day of the year. In 2024, the holiday falls on June 20th for the northern hemisphere. Generally, the intense power and energy of the sun is celebrated by those wishing to participate, and many celebrations revolve around fire and light and other symbolic things representing the sun.

Historically, the actual word "Litha" was associated with the June and July months in the Anglo-Saxon communities in Europe, as written by Venerable Bede from the 8th century. However, different cultures and regions have their own names for midsummer or solstice festivals, and Litha is a modern name and version adopted by new-age Wicca and modern Druidry. Some Wiccans and pagans will use the name "Midsummer" for the holiday, though, as that name signifies the many solstice traditions held in Europe as a whole and has a more ancient history in texts. Since their new-age holiday enmeshes many traditions together, Midsummer makes sense as an alternative name.

Because Litha was created by Wiccans, which is a new-age practice, they have adopted different solstice traditions from more ancient pagan religions that aligns with their religious beliefs. Just like other solstice celebrations, their summer Sabbat named Litha is all about the sun and the abundance and life is brings to us all, especially in agricultural communities. The sun's energy is thought to be the most powerful at this time, so many Wiccans use this opportunity for spellwork, cleansing, and energy-intensive work and projects. Since it's a combination of many traditions, there is no one way to celebrate the holiday. Some ways to celebrate include having a bonfire, focusing on love and romance, gathering herbs and other plants, creating flower crowns, singing and dancing, enjoying time outside, and feasting by having a picnic under the sun. Since Wicca is also a very divided religion with many sects, certain branches may celebrate different ways. The overlaps seem to be focusing on the sun, height of summer, and nature, like other religions on the same day. In terms of associations, it is generally believed that anything you associate with summer can be used for Litha, such as fruits, vegetables, flowers, sun, fair weather, bright colors, etc.

Litha Associations

Colors - yellow, orange, red, green, blue, pink, purple, other bright colors

Food - fruits and vegetables, citrus, melons, berries, honey, mead, wine, herbal teas, salads

Animals - bees, snakes, butterflies, birds

Items - sun wheels, sunflowers, chamomile, dandelions, torches, wreaths, flower crowns

Crystals - sunstone, citrine, carnelian, tigers eye, diamond, amber

Other - sun, fire, bonfires, picnics, faeries, love and romance, power, bountiful harvest, high energy

Ways To Celebrate

have a picnic under the sun

make a sun wheel

enjoy a sun themed feast filled with summer foods

have a bonfire

light candles and give thanks to the sun and the light

make a flower crown or bouquet of summer flowers

do spellwork that needs large amounts of energy

use the sun to charge your crystals

make sun tea

make an offering to the faeries

focus on relationship and self love magick

go to a farmers market

go for a nature walk

create a vision board

plan out your goals and projects

sing and dance to joyful songs

gather and dry herbs to use

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The Hierophant. Art by Cedar McCloud, from The Magic Pantry Tarot.

▪ Systems ▪ Hierarchy ▪ Wisdom ▪ Initiation The systems which produce meat and meat substitutes are enormous. A complex chain of farms, processing, production, packaging, and safety measures get these goods to us. What larger systems are you a part of? How do they affect your current situation? In many places, meat is considered the most important part of a meal, while others believe meat is not needed at all. Pay attention to how hierarchies affect your situation. Where are you on the pyramid? Who is considered to be above or below you, and why? The ethical raising of farm animals requires knowledge and wisdom. Insight and innovation is needed to create and promote vegan alternatives. Who are the leaders in your life, and how do you learn from them? Or is it your turn to step up and instruct the class? When this card appears, you may be facing an initiation or access to a particular tradition, skill, or community. It may test you or require dues be paid. Will you accept? There are dark sides to global food production systems, and many corrupt powers in place. Are there any such powers affecting your own life or situation? Will you stand up to them? Note: Please interpret this card to your own tastes whether you are an omnivore, vegetarian, or vegan. This is a complex topic for just one page.

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5 Esoteric SOCIETIES That Tried to Contact Non-Human Intelligences,

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Justice. Art by Mélissa Houpert, from the Mirror Arcana.

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Neuf de Pentacles. Art by cybermonamoor.

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The Link Between Quantum Physics and Spirituality

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The Star. Art by Mariya Tobischek, from the Ukrainian Night Tarot.

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The Magician. Art by Mariya Tobischek, from the Ukrainian Night Tarot.

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Other holidays and events for May 1st, 2025.

Beltane (Wicca) By the way, the Gaelic or “Irish” for May is Bealtaine

May Day (International)

- 4 Green Corn Dance (Zuni) welcoming back the Corn Maidens, who flee the land during the Winter.

International Workers Day. What May Day has become in many parts of the world,

Giorno dei Lavoratori (Italy)

National Love Day (Czech Republic), Couples go to the memorial of the poet Karel Hynek Mácha in Prague and kiss.

Lei Day (Hawaii)

International Day of Solidarity of Workers (Moldava)

Maharashtra Day (India)

Batman Day

Worthy Wage Day

Silver Star Service Banner Day

Law Day & Loyalty Day (U.S) W jr. tried to start this one to fight May Day, but it didn’t take.

Day in 1776 that the Order of the Illuminati of Bavaria was formed by Adam Weishaupt (1748 - 1811)

According to Ronald Hutton in Triumph of the Moon, it was this day in 1947 that Gardner (founder of modern Wicca) had the first of four May meetings with Aleister Crowley, where he bought several books and was recommended by him to be made a 4th-degree initiate of the O.T.O.

Samhain (Wicca) In the Southern Hemisphere.