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LESSON - MIDSUMMER
Those of us in the Northern Hemisphere are now approaching Midsummer
(also known as Litha) which occurs on the Summer Solstice on or about
June 21st. For us, the sun is at its highest point in the sky. In
Australia the Sabbat celebrated at this time is Yule. For us Yule
falls at the same time of year as the christian Christmas, but in
Australia there is no major holiday for it to coincide with. The
wheel of the year turns differently for Australians than for us
because they are on the "under" side of the planet, so while we
celebrate Summer Solstice, they are celebrating the Winter Solstice
and vice versa. While Yule and the Winter Solstice are a time of
family gathering and celebration for us, it is Midsummer and Yule for
our Australian bretheren. Happy Yule to everyone down under!
Midsummer (or Litha) marks the longest day and shortest night of the
year. We celebrate the Sun God, who is at the height of his power at
this time, so Litha is considered a fire festival. The Sun is also
entering the sign of Cancer at this time, so many folks celebrate
quietly at the water, honoring the Goddess as Aphrodite or Yemaya,
goddess of the sea from where all life comes.
Traditionally herbs may be picked at this time so that the Sun's
maximum power may be stored in them. It is also a time when amulets
from the previous year may be buried and new ones can be made and
hung around the house because the protective quality of the Sun is
also at its greatest. Also, any magic that calls to be performed at
an hour of the Sun is best performed at this time when its power is
great and the most benefit can be reaped.
Midsummer is a time of vacation rest and fun. Beach rituals,
festivals and divination are high on the list of activities as well
as firing up the old barbeque with perhaps a drumming circle, bonfire
and storytelling to follow. It is a time to enjoy the warmth of the
Sun and relax.
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It is at this point I would like to share the ritual that I did this
past Saturday as my first public ritual for the Pagan Community
Church. As some of you already know, I am in the ordination program
there and I volunteered to put this ritual together as part of my
requirements. All sources are quoted.
The one thing I wanted to focus on was what happens at this time of
year...what does this Sabbat really signify? Well, since it is the
Sun who is at the height of his power, I wanted this ritual which was
adapted from Raven Grimassi's book Italian Witchcraft, to also
include items which are specifically for the honor of the Sun. In
the original version, Raven includes a mock duel between the Holly
and Oak Kings. I chose to leave that out and instead substitute a
meditation on the Sun tarot card and Calling Down the Sun which would
in be in two parts...the first part concentrating on the purification
of the participants (the grove members), and the second part where
the power of the Sun would be drawn into a golden disc (a 3 wick
brass candle stand) and presented before each member to draw that
power into themselves, to stay with them through the dark half of the
year when the power of the Sun is waning.
SUMMER FEST -- LA FESTA DELL' ESTATE
Items required (in addition to standard ritual set-up):
Flowers for procession
Symbol for God and Goddess
Cauldron
Libation fluid (nectar/ambrosia)
4 small bowls for libation (at quarters)
Offerings (one for deities and another for Nature spirits)
Ritual:
1. Cast circle in usual manner, then open a threshold at the
northeast.
Chant softly while casting:
"We are a circle we are, moving together we are, moving together we
are one."
2. Grove members form a line, making a corridor at the northeast
into the circle.
3. Priest and Priestess pass through the corridor into the
circle.
All members toss flowers about them as they walk.
4. All enter the circle behind them, and then the threshold is
sealed.
5. High Priestess gives address at the altar to the Grove members:
"We gather on this sacred Summer's Eve, and join ourselves to
the powers and forces
of this mystical season. It is now when the Folletti gather,
as do all those spirits of Nature
to which we are kindred, to give honor to Sol Invictus, the
invincible Sun, who is at his
greatest power this day. Let us join all who have worshipped
before us in honoring the
source of our strength. So it was in the time of our
beginning, so is it now, so shall it be."
6. Symbols of the God and Goddess are placed before the cauldron,
which is set at the southern quarter.
Priest addresses the Grove:
"Here is the divine couple, whose Union give Life to the
World.
Priestess reads: "Song of the Goddess" (Source: Wicca: For the
Solitary Practioner by Scott Cunningham)
Priest reads: "Call of the God" (Source: Wicca: For the Solitary
Practioner by Scott Cunningham)
7. Grove members place Deity offerings in the cauldron at the south
quarter.
8. Priestess goes to each of the four quarters and pours a libation
of nectar into the bowls set there for libation.
9. All Grove members now place Nature spirit offerings at the four
quarters.
10. Priestess speaks from the altar:
"O spirits of the Elemental forces, hear me, and receive our
blessings. O spirits of the Earth
O powers that be, hear me and receive our blessings. Assist
us on this sacred day to maintain
the natural balance which keeps vital the essence of the
earth. Let there always be clear,
flowing water, freshness in the air, fertility within the
soil, and abundant life within the world."
Chant: (Start slowly then gradually pick up pace. Sing several
times building energy)
"Earth my body, water my blood, air my breath and fire my spirit."
11. Meditation: Pass The Sun tarot card around the group and have
them meditate upon it briefly and pass to next person in preparation
for the Drawing Down of the Sun.
Priestess: "The sun is the source of all life. Its rays nourish our
bodies as well as our minds. A life without the Sun, would be a life
of total darkness. Without it, existence would cease. As each of
you receive the Sun card, it is appropriate to take a moment and
reflect upon all the good that is in your lives.
12. Drawing Down the Sun by Priestess at the altar. (Needed: Bowl
of blessing water and golden disc to draw the rays of the Sun down
into)
"We celebrate the noon of summer with mystic rites. O great Goddess
and god, all nature vibrates with your energies and the earth is
bathed with warmth and life. Now is the time of forgetting past
cares and banes; Now is the time of for purification. Sol Invictus,
Invincible Sun, burn away the unuseful, the hurtful, the bane, in
your omnipotent power. Bless this water and Purify us, purify us,
purify us."
The bowl of water is passed by each member of the grove to bless
themselves with.
Priestess draws down the sun into the golden disc:
"Sol Invictus, Sun invincible, shining and eternal one. We call upon
you to send your rays into this disc. Charge it that it may impart
to us your strength, light and power which will stay within us as the
days grow shorter and your power and light wanes. May you always be
within our spirits."
As the disc is brought before each member of the grove, have them
repeat these words:
"Sol Invictus, enter my body, my soul, and my spirit"
13. Solstice Poem: (read by Priest)
Light of the Solstice Sun is seen
upon the water,
far upon the sea, fire and water, reconciled.
The Sun sets sail for waht his love has shown him,
Sets sail for the Otherworld.
We, too, are setting a new course,
for the Queen of Summer brings the cup of happiness,
cup of the sweetness of desire fulfilled.
Bless us, O Queen of Summer, and bless all living creatures.
Now the peak has been reached, the change
shall be made.
Now the sails of the bright Sun are unfurled.
14. Great Rite (Source: Circle of the Cosmic Muse by Mary Kay Simms)
Priest: "Athame to chalice...
Priestess: Spirit to Flesh...
Both: Man to woman...As the God and Goddess within conjoined they
bring blessedness to life."
15. Blessing of the Cakes (Source: Circle of the Cosmic Muse by
Mary Kay Simms)
Both: Behold the bounty of the Mother. Feed on life that new life
within you may be born.
Priest and priestess proceed to pass to each person in the circle in
the usual manner.
As each grove member partakes, read poem "The Ancient Ones" from the
book "Her Words: An Anthology of Poetry About the Great Goddess" by
Shambhala Publications.
16. Priest then Banishes the circle.
When the circle is open, priestess says:
"The circle is now open, but remains unbroken. May the peace and
love of the gods be forever in your hearts. Merry meet, merry part,
and merry meet again."
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ASSIGNMENT:
Whatever you decide to do for your Midsummer Sabbat, share it with
the group and talk about what you chose to do and why. Name your
sources and most of all...HAVE FUN IN THE SUN!
Hail and Farewell... Sage |
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