A Little Pride at Litha

Every incarnation of Haven Song—from the tiny study group it started out as, to the small coven it currently is, and every step in between—has always been overwhelmingly queer. While we've never excluded cis/het witches from our practice, we've always attracted members of the LGBTQIA family, and their allies. A few years back, we were lamenting our busy schedules, and how difficult it was to squeeze in Pride events each June. That's when we realized we host an event of our own every June, so why not make it a Pride event?

Litha, or the Summer Solstice, is the longest day of the year, and a time to celebrate abundance. What sort of abundance, and what the celebration looks like can vary quite a lot depending on the people celebrating, and the ups and downs of the previous year. In Haven Song, our choice to weave Pride into Litha means that the abundance we celebrate is not just the abundance of sunlight, and the abundance brought to us by nature, but the abundance of sexuality, life, healing, art, and serenity that our community and chosen family bring our way.

The original Pride flag, designed by Gilbert Baker in 1978 at the request of Harvey Milk, featured 2 colors (hot pink and turquoise) that are no longer seen in most modern Pride flags.

However, just as we honor the light at the Winter Solstice, we do not shy away from the dark at the Summer Solstice. Roughly a month ago the dangerous narcissist in the white House and his administration released a "Counterterrorism Strategy." Among other things, this report identifies anti-fascists and anyone who is "radically pro-transgender" as being "anti-American." The report closes with a comment straight from the 47th President of the United States. "We will find you and we will kill you."

No matter how long the sun is out each day, these are dark times. And that makes it all the more important that we shine our light as bright and as hot as we possibly can. We must be the loudest, biggest, most authentic versions of ourselves. Let our light burn away false accusations, and ignorance, and create a world that is safe for all our brothers and sisters and non-binary siblings.

The first Pride was a riot.