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Litha Ritual
The South Warden opens the Circle.
South
Now is the time of summer, when the heat steams from the earth, the lakes grow warm, and the breezes bring heat with them, as well as rain. I invoke the warden of the South, Paralda.
West
Now is the time of summer, when the rains fall hot and bring with them heat and making the air wet, soaking the earth. I invoke the warden of the West, Nixsa.
North
Now is the time of summer, when the heat makes the earth shimmer under our feet in the air, and the rain steams from the ground even as it hits. I invoke the warden of the North, Ghob.
East
Now is the time of summer, when the heat and humidity make us flee indoors in search of cooler, drier air and the earth is parched. I invoke the warden of the East, Djinn.
The warden of the South steps into the circle and lights a candle set in the center. Then she steps back into the south.
West: It is the longest day.
North: It is the shortest night.
East: It is Midsummer.
North: It is the time of light.
East: It is the derth of dark.
West: It is Midsummer.
East: It is the reign of summer.
West: It is the poverty of winter.
North: It is Midsummer.
South
It is Midsummer, and the Lord of Flames takes his height.
West
The heat comes on, baking all in its path, as the Earth rises to great the Summer Lord. His light iluminates the sky, and night becomes day.
East
Between us, we hold the earth and sky.
North
Within us, we hold the dark and light.
West
Among us, we hold the Lady and her children.
North: Earth
East: Air
West: Water
All: And the fire grows between us.
West: Autumn
North: Winter
East: Spring
All: And the fire glows within us.
East: The Wand, She sets the wand on the ground, facing east.
West: The Cauldron, She sets the cauldron on the ground in the west.
North: The Stone, She sets the stone in the north.
All: And the sword of fire around us.
South: The Lord of Summer takes arms and strides across the sky, bearing with him his sheild of the Sun and the Sword of Fire. On this longest day, none challenge him and he reigns for one day supreme, unchallenged.
East: Fire in the air as lightning...
North: Rears to strike the ground...
West: Soaked with the summer rain...
All: We bid welcome to the Fire, the Lord of Summer.
North: The King doth keep his revels here tonight, to dance our ringlets in the whistling wind, And we four great him. Welcome lord!
All: Welcome lord!
by Nyx Wolfwalker
Summer Solstice Ritual
In addition to your usual magickal tools, you will need:
A Golden Yellow Altar Cloth
Small Cloth Pouch of Summertime Herbs
Cauldron
1 cup Fresh Spring Water
Red Sun God Candle
Green Earth Goddess Candle
Summer Blend Incense (Jasmine, Rose, Lotus, Wysteria, or combination).
Preparation:
Sweep area moving in deosil manner.
Set up Quarter Candles and any accessories symbolizing the Elements of the Quarters.
Decorate the altar with seasonal flowers, especially Sunflowers.
Prepare your Pouch of Summertime Herbs, and as you make it, pour your troubles, pains, sorrows, illness, and regrets into it.
Place the Cauldron in the center of your altar, the Red Sun candle to the right of it , the Green Goddess Candle to the left of it.
Place the cup of Fresh Spring Water in front of the Goddess Candle.
Take a shower or bath for purification. Sit quietly and meditate for a while, then ground and center.
When ready, play some peaceful music for the ritual.
Cast the circle
Pick up your Wand, and with arms upraised, face South and say:
"I celebrate the Mid-of-Summer, held in honor of the Blazing Sun God. All of Nature vibrates with the fertileness of the Goddess and of the God.
The Earth basks in the light and life of the Sun.
The ever turning Wheel of the Year has made the light ever stronger And the light has kept growing longer, until today... The light is at its peak, Litha, MidSummer's Day, SummerSolstice.
From here, the light begins to fade, until once more the Wheel turns to the time of darkness, Yule, Winter Solstice.
Yet, for today, the Sun is high, the light is bright, the Earth is warm. As the Sun God blazes above, may the fires of my riteflame below."
Face the altar
Light the Green Goddess Candle to the left of your cauldron, saying:
"Oh, Mother of Nature, She that brings the meadow to bloom, Green Forest Mother, from lakes and streams your children spring forth. Blessed Lady of the stars and the Moon, Fruitful Womb of which I honor, and ask of Thee, Thy Blessings."
Light the Red Sun God Candle to the right of your cauldron, saying:
"Oh, Father of all things, He that plants the seed and nurtures Life. God of Fertility and Fruitfulness, from hill and forest your children emerge. Blessed Lord of the blazing Sun, potent Consort of which I honor, and of Thee, Thy Blessings."
Take the Herb Pouch and hold above your head, saying:
"By thy power, oh sacred herbs, may the Lord of the Sun Burn away the hurtful, the troublesome, and the painful, Leaving me purified through His warmth and Light."
Hold the pouch over your main Altar Candle to take flame. While it is burning, drop it in the cauldron, saying:
"Great Goddess and Great God, from Thee all powers flow forth. The Two that are One, Great Spirit of All-That-Is, By Thy powers, and the powers of Air, Fire, Water, and Earth, By Thy powers, and the powers of the Sun, Moon, and Stars, I banish these negatives from my life."
Visualize the negatives burning away to nothingness. When all that is left is ashes, douse the ashes with the cup of Fresh Spring Water, feel as if the water were being poured over you and your negatives washed away. Air dry by dancing and running your hands up and down your arms, body, and legs. Don't forget your head... lay it back and shake, running your fingers through your hair.
When done, face altar, wave hand over the cauldron and say:
"As the Phoenix rises from the ashes, so let this water be pure and new. Mother Goddess, bless this water so that it may bless and renew me. Father God, may your rays of the MidSummer Sun bless and nourish me. Two that are One, may your blessings sustain me as I journey, anew."
Pass your cupped hands over the cauldron, pausing briefly each time to ' pour ' in wishes for health, prosperity, and good fortune to be part of your life. Dip the forefinger of your right hand into the cauldron water, and trace a pentagram on your forehead, saying:
"Let my mind be open to the truth."
*Anoint your lips saying:*
"Let my lips always speak the truth."
*Anoint your heart area, saying:*
"Let my heart seek the ways of the Goddess, now and always."
*Anoint the centers of your palms, saying:*
"Let my hands be gifted to work in magickal ways."
*Anoint the soles of your feet, saying:*
"Let my feet ever walk upon the sacred paths!"
Now is the time for meditation and any spellworkings.
MidSummer spellworkings include:
prosperity, fertility, and plentiful harvests.
Finish by having the Cakes and Ale Ceremony and releasing the circle.
The Ritual is done.
updated May 13, 2000
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