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For centuries people have celebrated Midsummer's Eve with fire festivals. Festivals consisted of fires that were kept burning all night, singing, dancing and drinking of mead and ale.
There are many myths regarding the decline of the sun.
My personal favorite story is of Balder and Loki. Loki killed Balder, the sun god, using his infamous trickery. All of Asgarde as well as Midgarde mourned his death and so died the vegitation in the Autumn.
Another myth tells of Persephone entering the labyrinth to the underworld at Summer Solstice. Her decent caused Demeter, the sun god, so much grief that all vegitation died off in Autumn.
(Arianna)
Summer Solstice was a very light and pretty festival. We would have lots of flowers and bird feathers, with some strewn on the ground.
Again, the Circle was eighteen feet wide, and both Tines were set up and decorated with flowers--gold coloured ones for the God, and white ones for the Goddess. Bird nests were on the altar containing handmade artificial birds.
If it was warm enough not to have a fire, the altar was put in the middle of the circle with two lamps placed on it, one with a gold shade, and the other with a white one.
If the fire was lit the altar, of course, stayed in the North. Yellow and white flowers, kept in clear vases, were then used instead of the lamps.
Crystal goblets, filled with water, were placed in the quarters. Sometimes flower petals of the appropriate colours floated within them, with green leaves in the North, Irises decorated the altar and their leaves were woven into mats and placed underneath the vases.
Casting the Circle and calling the Quarters were as usual, and regardless of the phase of the moon, we would have a Drawing Down ceremony.
After the blessing of the cakes and wine, we danced in a very lighthearted fashion, but it was not Bacchanial, as May Eve was. Everyone waited for the sunrise, when the sun would be drawn down into a male Priest.
After this everyone left, except a Priest and Priestess the two who had participated in both Drawing Down ceremonies), who then celebrated the Great Rite.
Incidentally, throughout this book I have referred to this Ritual as the "Great Rite" because it is generally called that nowadays, but in the olden times it was known simply as the Rite of Joining, or the Crossing Rite.
The origin of the expression, the Crossing Rite or, as some Elders called it, the Ridencrux Rite, stems from very long ago, probably several hundred years in my estimation. This rite was enacted, so I was informed, in times of bad harvest and unseasonable weather. The High Priestess, on nights spanning from the New Moon to the Full moon, would go to the nearest crossroads and wait for the first stranger travelling in the district. The Coven performed a ceremony beforehand, which is unknown now, to ensure that this traveler would be an embodiment of the God. Then the High Priestess performed the Great Rite with him to ensure that next season's sowing was successful.
I also believe that is how at one time they obtained the Corn King, who would be brought to the village and feted like a God until the appropriate time.
Crossroads are plentiful in the West Country; they all have names and there is a whole body of lore associated with them. Most magical charms have to be buried as a crossroads to be successful. Crossroads have very colourful names; the nearest one to where I lived was called Frogberry Cross, which was associated with fertility charms. Strangely enough, I once had a pig, a sow, who always tried to get out and make her nest there to have her piglets. She had to walk about half a mile to reach it, but, on two occasions, she did manage it.
(Exerpt from "West Country Wicca, A Journal of the Old Religion" by Rhiannon Ryall)
Altar/Altar Cloth/Altar Candles
The altar should be in the center of the circle area, facing the Southern quarter. The altar cloth should always be red for the Low Earth Rite of Summer Solstice. (This is only if you are using a regular rectangular altar.) The two main altar candles should be red.
Other Candles
The four quarter candles should be blue in the West, red in the South, yellow (or gold) in the East, and green in the North. All other secondary candles used for extra lighting in the ritual area should be of various shades of red or gold or suited to personal taste.
Special Items
A large red or gold candle will be needed for the cauldron which is placed in the Southern quarter of the circle for Summer Solstice. If the rite is held outdoors, the kindling for a small bonfire should be placed in the Southern quarter.
Circle Area/Casting the Circle/Assemblance of the Quarters
Prepare the circle with decorations of cut flowers or greenery, as appropriate. (Any kind of cut flowers typical of summer fields or gardens.) The circle should be cast according to you or your coven's preference and the Quarters will be called in accordance with the coven's or your personal needs (the author reminds us that South has preeminence for Summer Solstice).
Invocation of the Goddess
The priestess will stand before the altar facing the South and lifting up her hands (or sceptre) will speak the following words:
Lustrous Lady,
Thy body glistens in the glow
of Thy Lover's gaze,
even as the Solar Lord
clasps close Thy bosom
within His arms of firey embrace.
In Thy love
for the radiant-browed,
golden-eyed God,
Thou hast given Thyself completely
to the body of His brightness.
In Thy union
with the God Celestial,
thou hast consummated
the unity of Heaven and Earth,
and we rejoice
in the unfolding Mystery of Thy passion.
Lady of Loveliness,
adorned in Summer's flowered grace,
gowned in lacey leaves of forest green
we invoke Thee
to be here among us
as we revel
in this celebration of light and love!
Invocation of the Solar Lord
After the priestess has finished her reading, she will step back and make room for the priest who will then stand before the altar facing the South, and raising his hands or sceptre or staff, he will speak the following words.
Solstice Sovereign,
Sol of a thousand rays,
we greet Thee with praise
as Thou takest Thy place
upon the high throne of the firmament!
Thou art the Icon of The Eternal Light
that is beyond Thy light,
for in the reaching rays of Thy warm carress
we feel
the pulsing flow of Cosmic Love.
High Lord of the heavens,
Thou hast surveyed
the wonders of Thy vast celestial expanse
and exalted in its beauty.
Exalted Disk of golden glory,
Thou hast bestowed upon us
the blessings of Thy bronzed-beamed brightness,
coaxing forth flowers and fruit
from the hidden treasures of seed and vine.
Therefore,
with hearts full of thanksgiving
we do invoke Thee
in this season of Thine ascendency,
for Thine exalted radiance
becomes our gleaming guarantee
that the Light shall never forsake us
even as it was ordained
in the primordial plans of the High and Holy.
Blessed Be!
Kindling of the Midsummer Light The preistess and the priest will go to the kindling prepared for the fire (if the rite is held outdoors) located near the Southern quarter of the circle. Otherwise, a candle within the cauldron is substituted.
Priest:
The Sun King sinkes below the horizon,
but His warmth remains
in the heaviness of the humid dark
as the sweat makes slick the skin
from the lingering of His heated breath.
While twilight changes
to late evening hues of ebony and indigo,
the Solstice Lord
scatters fragments of himself
into the airy sea of Summer night;
sparkling sequins of flying reflections
in the dance of fleeting fireflies.
And even now shall the element of his brilliance
consume the kindling and the wick
in the circumscribed glories
of candle and fire;
flaming microcosms of the Sun;
symbols of the Solstice
submerged in nocturnal shadows
of Midsummer fantasy.
The priest then lights the fire or candle and speaks the following:
Shining like the sacred Sun,
Thy fire we kindle as day is done.
Beings of Light, surround us here,
illumine the night with love and cheer!
At this point, the priest and priestess lead the rest of the coven in a deosil procession around the circle, either rhythmically speaking or chanting the same incantation. (This can be accompanied with drums, flutes, or other musical instruments, if desired.)
Hymn of Exaltation to the Solar Lord
When the chanting has been concluded, the priestess will take the candle-lantern from the altar, and standing in the center of the circle, lift it up and recite the following hymn.
Priestess:
Let us give glory
to Him Who sits enthroned
at the apex of His epiphany,
Symbol of the light-originating Logos,
seated high above
the Assembly of the Mighty
as a burning beacon
upon the shining path
to the Mysteries of higher realms!
Sun of Righteousness!
Sol Invictus!
Solar Savior!
We hail Thy coronation
as Lord of the Summer Skies
in honor of Thy Solstice supremancy!
From Thy majesty
proceeds the very Light of nations,
the shining brillance of illumined Truth,
and the manifest splendor fo the Sacred.
Hallowed Blaze of Heaven
Thou art the living Light,
Source of inspiration
to sage and saint,
priestess and prophet.
Therefore,
we add to the adoration of the ancients
as we ascribe to Thee praise and honor,
O radiant King of planetary gods!
(The priestess then takes the candle-lantern with her as she goes first to the Eastern quarter, and then the Western quarter, as she recites the following:)
God of Light, God of Life,
dying daily,
Thou descendest into darkness:
rising early,
Thy radiance renews the day!
The Great Rite
If this is a custom practiced within your coven, please follow your traditions.
Parting Prayers
The priest and priestess will return to the altar and take their place before it, facing the Southern quarter. Each will raise their hands or sceptre/staff while offering a parting benediction.
Priestess:
Hallowed Goddess,
we thank Thee
for the vibrancy of life
which Thy passion generates
in the intensity of Thy love for the Light,
and we beseech Thee
to bless us
as we inhale the honesuckle
of Thy Summer seduction
and are drawn to Thy beauty,
even as the Sun.
All Hail, Farewell, and Blessed Be!
Priest:
Hear now the benediction
of the Evening Star,
spoken softly
by the Keeper of Keys
to the Doors of Dusk
in the Moon-shade
of purple-shrouded twilight:
"Peace, peace be unto Thee,
Thou fading Lord of descending day
,
painting the horizon with lustrous alchemy:
gold transformed to silver,
sterling into sky-draped lapis-lazuli
as Thy radiance recedes
beyond the waters of rest
in the Regions of the West.
All Hail, Farewell, and Blessed Be!
Dismissal of the Quarter-Regents/Releasing the Circle
At this time the quarters can be dismissed and the circle released, per your tradition. The priestess may close with this benediction.
Priestess:
This rite of Midsummer is ended!
May the exuberance of the season
be your portion
as you enjoy
the warmth-filled blessings
of the Solstice Sun!
Merry Meet and Merry Part!
(This ritual can be found in "The Crafted Cup" by Shadwynn.)
~This page created by: Maggie Molisee~
