Preparations
This ritual is a play designed to be performed by children. The Priestess wears a flower wreath and a cape, and carries a staff wound around with ivy and flowers. The Hero wears a wreath made of green leaves and ivy, and carries a staff decorated with ribbons and fruit; he also wears a green or blue cape. The Wizard carries a sword and shield for the Hero and wears a cloak. Dragon is wreathed in yellow straw, wears a serpent mask and a gray cape, he carries a sword. The Elemental Spirits wear colored masks.
The Altar
Cover the altar with a red cloth to honor the sun. Decorate the altar top with oak leaves and small branches, yellow and orange flowers, and red, orange, yellow and gold candles at the quarters surrounded by bunches of beribboned yellow yarrow and marigold blossoms.
The Ritual
Procession with candles from outside in, is led by the Wizard. He is followed by the Hero, Priestess, and the Magic Spirits, the Dragon brings up the rear. As they walk, they chant:
ALL:
Green is gold,
Fire is wet.
Fortune’s told,
And Dragon’s met.
As they reach the area of the ceremony, the children place the candles about the edge of the walls or ritual area, and form themselves in a wide circle.
The Priestess goes to the middle of the ritual area and raps with her staff upon the ground, then raises it.
PRIESTESS:
We celebrate now the time of Midsummer,
And call on the Magic Spirits
To speak of this time.
AIR SPIRIT (east):
Summer is for running like the wind,
And for being outdoors.
FIRE SPIRIT (south):
Summer is good and warm,
When we live with the sun.
WATER SPIRIT (west):
Summer is for enjoying the water,
Swimming, and watering the thirsty plants.
EARTH SPIRIT (north):
Summer is when the land is gold and brown,
And will be that way until the rains come.
Hero goes to center, raps his staff upon the ground and holds it aloft.
HERO:
Now is the time to enjoy the summer.
School is out, and the days are long.
It’s fun to swim and travel,
And to have the magic of playing and dancing
In the night, and the moonlight.
Dragon bullies way to center, roars, hisses and looks around proudly.
DRAGON:
This is my season!
It’s summer and it’s hot!
The grass is dying and there’s no water.
The air is hot, the ground burns your feet,
The sun burns your skin,
Makes you sweaty and dizzy.
It’s hot!
Wizard gives sword and shield to Hero and takes his staff.
WIZARD:
To have a good summer
And to enjoy our play,
We have to defend ourselves and our land
Against the Dragon.
Hero waves sword and slaps (gently) the Dragon with it.
HERO:
Now you are going to get it!
I have the magic sword of strength!
Dragon shrinks away even though he tries to fight back.
DRAGON:
You can’t beat me…
This is my season!
HERO:
I’ll get you if it takes until the
rains come!
DRAGON:
It will!
They fight and the Dragon finally runs away.
PRIESTESS:
Wait! Let us try to tame this Dragon
And see if we can get it to do our bidding.
All join hands and lets go after it!
They join hands, forming a long line, and run after the Dragon, finally catching up with it, encircling it.
PRIESTESS:
Dragon, stay!
Let us be friends!
We need your light and heat!
We need the power that summer brings!
We need YOU!
Let us be friends!
The Dragon turns cautiously around and faces them. He kneels at the feet of the Priestess.
DRAGON:
For you, fair one, wise one,
This I will do.
While still keeping
My unpredictable dragon nature,
I will give to you of my light and heat,
For the good of the earth and all her creatures.
ALL:
Hurray for the summer Dragon!
Blessed be the summer Dragon!
This is chanted three times, then the Dragon charges the line of children, breaks open the circle, and leads everyone to the refreshment table.