Invocation to Open the Gates
I call the winds of time
the softly blowing breezes
that sing of other worlds
Creatures and mystics of the forest
I call to you
open your gates
And let us join you
on this night of festival
Folk of Faerie and Dryad
the Court of the Sidhe
And Dancing Ladies
Open your gates
Maiden: I am the Maiden
Mother: I am the Mother
Crone: I am the Crone
ALL: And we are one Goddess
Maiden: We who are the Witches, both young
Mother: in midlife
Crone: or elder
Maiden: We are gathered here today
Mother: to celebrate
Crone: the longest day of the year
Maiden: The Summer Solstice
Mother: a time of rebirth
Crone: A time of change
The Casting of the Circle
Spirit of the North, as I call you, come forth! Of rolling hillsides and sweet damp earth, strawberries in the field, oranges in the trees and sweet grapefruit in the palm of your hand. Spirit of the north, as I call you, come forth!
Spirit of the East, as I call you come forth! Of softly blowing winds and birds chirping sweetly, of faeries in the air and the cerulean blue of the skies, spirit of the east, as I call you, come forth!
Spirit of the South, as I call you, come forth! Of summer heat and burning fires, the cracking of wood in the flames and hot sunlight, spirit of the south, as I call you, come forth!
Spirit of the West, as I call you, come forth! Of echoes in the ocean, songs of the whales, swiftly flowing waters and crystal shining on the surface of the lakes, rivers and oceans. Spirit of the West as I call you, come forth!
This circle has been Cast
Tonight the wheel once again turns. The days are long, in this, the full triumphant power of the energy of the Sun. it is the time of fulfillment, a time of festival and a time of rejoicing as the Earth Mother who recieves that energy blooms all around us. now the Bright Lord must go into the form of the Mother of Corn and Grain and die in order to feed Earth's children. and so we must pause to reflect, even in this time of festival. we must look for inner illumination of the profound meaning of our times of fulfillment. For without meaning, growth and purpose, fulfillment is emptiness.
O Lord of the Sun, i ask your vibrasnt presence now. Flow through this circle and charge it with your energy and light.
Now is the time of summer, when the heat of the sun shines down upon us, when the lakes and rains grow warm, when the heat makes the air shimmer and when the humidity makes us flee indoors for cooler hiding places.
It is the longest day and the shortest night. It is the reign of summer and the poverty of winter. It is midsummer and the Lord of the Sun and Flame takes his height.
The heat comes on, baking all in its path, as the earth rises to greet the SUmmer Lord. His light illuminates the sky and night becomes day
Between us we hold the earth and sky
Within us we hold the dark and light
Among us, we hold the Lady and her children
With the Sun God at the height of his power and majesty, the waxing of the year has come to pass, and the reign of the Oak King has reached it's end. With the Sun God at the height of his splendor, the waning of the year begins; the Holly King must slay his brother the Oak Kind and rule over the land until the depth of winter, when the Oak King shall be born again.
Dance, Lady, dance on the Oak King�s tomb.
Where he lies half the year, sagely in thy womb.
Dance, Lady, dance, at the Holly King�s birth,
Who has slain his twin brother for the love of the earth.
Dance, lady, dance to the Sun God�s power,
And his kiss of gold on field and flower.
Dance, lady, dance with thy blade in hand,
That shall summon the Sun to bless they land.
Dance, Lady, dance in the Silver Wheel,
Where the Oak King lies, his wounds to heal.
Dance, Lady, dance for the Holly king�s reign
Till his brother the Oak shall rise again.
Dance, Lady, dance in the moonlit sky,
To the Threefold Name men know thee by.
Dance, Lady, dance on the turning Earth,
From the birth that is death, and the death that is birth
Dance, Lady, dance to the Sun on High,
For his burning splendor so too must die.
Dance, Lady, dance to the year�s long tide,
For through al change must thou abide.
Dance for the Sun in glory
Dance for the Oak King�s passing.
Dance for the Holly King�s triumph,
Dance, Lady, dance,
Dance, Lady, dance
Dance, Lady, dance
The spirit of the Oak King is gone from us, to rest in the Castle of the Silver Wheel, until with the turning of the year, the season shall come when he shall return to rule again. The spirit is gone, therefore let the man among us who has stood for that spirit be freed from his task.
Maiden Here now we stand, in the place which lies between the worlds
Mother: it is a space we have created, to be at peace, where the magick of the worlds is at its highes
Crone: and where we Witches walk in darkness as well as light
Maiden: With a blade of ancient power, I draw a Gate upon the veil that separates this world from the next.
Mother: And in doing so, we have stepped into a world not yet our own, and is yet to be...
Crone: In the creation of sacred space, we have become one to go beyond the boundaries of our world
Maiden: We stand here, between the worlds
Mother: and enter in perfect love and perfect trust
Crone: to the sacred space with positive energies all around.
The Closing of the Circle
North
Spirit of the North!
Thank you for coming to our circle
To stand and witness this ritual of midsummer
Hail and farewell!
West
Spirit of the West!
Thank you for coming to our circle
To stand and witness this ritual of midsummer
Hail and farewell!
South
Spirit of the south!
Thank you for coming to our circle
To stand and witness this ritual of midsummer
Hail and farewell!
East
Spirit of the East!
Thank you for coming to our circle
To stand and witness this ritual of midsummer
Hail and farewell!
Into Faerie Land
Bellandonna! Queen of the Faerie
I call to you
Join me on this Midsummer�s Night
Come and dance with us!
Dance! Dance! Dance!
Come be with us in this joyous time!
With you wand of oak leaves
And silver scepter,
Open the Gates Between the Worlds
For us.
Let the Midsummer Fires shine forth!