This Ritual shall be performed during the bright, sunny daytime hours. Alternately, it would also be acceptable to begin at precisely the astronomical time that the Summer Solstice actually begins. The exact time that the Sun enters Cancer, marking the precise moment of the beginning of Summer - for 1997 - is 4:20 AM Eastern Daylight Time (check your calendar or almanac for future years). This particular Litha Ritual contains a cleansing/purification of Self, a Pet Blessing, a Re-Dedication Ceremony, and a Consecration of your Magickal Jewelry.
Prior to the ritual, prepare a small cloth pouch of herbs, such as lavender and chamomile. As you prepare it, pour into it your troubles, problems, pains, sorrows and illnesses. Place it on your altar for later use. In addition to your basic altar and circle set-up, place the cauldron in front of the altar. To the right of the cauldron, place a red candle, and to the left of the cauldron, place a green candle. Have a cup of fresh spring water ready to place into the cauldron later in the ceremony. Also - if you choose to include a Pet Blessing - have a picture of your pet and his or her Blessing Gift, placed upon the Pentacle.
Sweep the area, starting in the North and moving deosil, with your magickal broom to cleanse the Circle area and "sweep away" any lingering negative energies. Set up the Quarter candles (North-Green, East-Yellow, South-Red, West-Blue) and/or other items symbolizing the elements at the Four Quarters. Set up your altar as desired, and face it to the North, covering it with a white or golden yellow altar cloth. For this ceremony, decorate the altar with seasonal flowers - especially sunflowers - although any flowers are fine (silk are also acceptable), along with whatever else feels right. In addition to your usual tools and props, upon the altar should be:
Golden Yellow Altar Cloth
Prepared Small Cloth Pouch of Herbs, such as Lavender and Chamomile
Cauldron, with a cup of fresh Spring Water, ready to place into it later
Red Sun God Candle (in holder on the right side of the Cauldron)
Green Earth Goddess Candle (in holder on the left side of the Cauldron)
Your Pet's Picture
Your Pet's Blessing Gift
Incense - Summer Blend - any combination of Frankincense, Myrrh, Sandalwood, Lemon,
When all is set up, take a shower or bath for purification and don your Ritual Robe or other Ritual attire. Be sure to wear your Magickal jewelry, if you have any. Sit quietly and meditate for a little while - to ground and center. When you feel ready to begin, play some quiet peaceful music for the Ritual.
Pick up your wand, and with arms upraised, face the South and say:
Return the wand to its place on the altar. Light the green candle to the left of the cauldron, saying:
Light the red candle to the right of the cauldron, saying:
Lift the small pouch of herbs from the altar, hold it aloft, saying:
Hold it over the main altar candle to light it afire. When it is burning, drop it into the cauldron, saying:
Visualize the negative energies burning away to nothing. When the pouch and the herbs have been consumed by the flames, place the container of water into the cauldron on top of the ashes. Say:
Pass your hands and arms between the two candles, over the cauldron, making wishes for luck, health, prosperity, and many other good things for your life.
At this time, you may wish to bless pets or other animals in your life by moving the candles out away from the cauldron, and leading each animal between the candle flames, while saying:
If desired, place a previously consecrated and blessed amulet around the animal's neck.
Kneel before the altar, place a pinch of salt on your tongue, and say:
Face the North and say:
Face the East and say:
Face the South and say:
Face the West and say:
Dip the forefinger of your power hand into the cauldron water, and trace a pentagram, and/or, a crescent moon on your forehead, saying:
Anoint your lips, saying:
Anoint your heart, saying:
Anoint the centers of your palms, saying:
Anoint the soles of your feet, saying:
Place your magickal jewelry upon the pentacle, sprinkle it (lightly) with the salted water, then pass it through the flame of the candle and the smoke of the incense. Place it around your neck, saying:
Now is the time for meditation and any spellworkings you may desire to end your Sun celebration. Good Midsummer spellworkings include: prosperity, fertility, good harvest...
When you have finished and you are ready, follow the spellwork (if you performed any) by the Cakes & Ale Ceremony, and finally, Releasing the Circle.
I have been overwhelmed with e-mail lately and a lot of it is of a nature that I am not able to handle at this point in my current life. Many people have written asking me to become their Wicca Teacher or Mentor and I am unable to comply right now. I am Disabled from a serious back injury and just sitting here writing/answering e-mail causes a large increase in pain, so I usually simply cannot do it. Otherwise, my plate is about as full as it can get. I'm sorry, but don't write asking me to do this for you, but please continue to and write with your questions, comments, and suggestions...
Please feel free to use the information contained on my Wiccan Web Pages for your own personal use or for the teaching of others... remembering the Wiccan Rede... and harming none... Blessed Be, StormWing...
Portions of the words and actions in my online Wiccan Rituals are inspired by the works of the following authors: Silver RavenWolf, D.J. Conway, Edain McCoy, Scott Cunningham, Starhawk, Margot Adler, Laurie Cabot, Ray Buckland, Amber K, and Pauline & Dan Campanelli, and possibly others...
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