#midsummer ritual

[scandireader]

Lying in bed at midnight in my underwear and underskirt, watching twin peaks, eating storebought cheesecake from a glass jar, feeling like I'm committing an ancient kind of sin in a modern edition

[thewitchesspellbook]

Litha - 21st June (Summer Solstice Ritual)

Also known as Alban Heruin by the druids. this this the longest day of the year- a day on which both light and life are plentiful. As Lord of the Forests, the Sun God is at his strongest on this day. Known at this time as the Green Man, he is often seen seated on a throne: he is often acknowledged in early churches in the guise of the Green Man, as a face surrounded by foliage. Midsummer Night’s Eve is of importance for many people because of the folk customs still associated with it. Modern wiccans sometimes mistakenly refer to this time as Beltane- Beltane is actually the word for May Festival which has its own ritual. 

This ritual is also a celebration of the Goddess. She is now with child and natures reflects this with the fruitfulness of the harvest. Now is when energy overflows; needless to say this is a fine time for magical and purifying rites. 

You will need. 

Summer herbs such as Lavender & Wisteria 

Greenery & Flowers 

Water 

White Pouch and red tie.

White Altar Cloth.

Two White Candles 

Red Candle (To represent the Sun God)

Green Candle (To represent the Earth Goddess

Cauldron

Method. 

Fill the pouch with herbs,as you fill it, think of all your negativities and difficulties being placed in the bag along with the herbs. Light the white candles. Place the cauldron in the middle of your altar. and say.

“Now at Midsummer, at Litha the time of light, I acknowledge the turning wheel for, As from today, the light begins to fade”

 Light he green Goddess candle on theft of the cauldron place the water in front of the candle and day. 

“Lady of power, I ask for your blessings.”

Light the red candle to the right of your Cauldron and say. 

“God of fertility and fruitfulness, I ask for your blessings.”

Pick up the herb pouch, hold it up while saying 

“Lord of the sun, Burn away the negativity, purify me through your powerful light”

 Ignite your pouch use the flame from the red candle drop the pouch into the Cauldron and say. 

“Great Goddess and God on this enchanted night i pray for your guidance in self-understanding and worldly perception.  Afford me delight and happiness and ward off any danger brought by my doing.”

As the pouch burns, it clears away all your negativity. When it has burnt out, signify your appreciation b pouring a little of the water into the cauldron where it mixed with the ashes.  Spend a little time contemplating the gifts of the God & Goddess.

Finally dispose of the water and ashes by pouring them into the bare earth. Leave the red & green candles to burn out.

Have a blessed Summer Solstice everyone. 

[bluelacesage]

Here’s a Midsummer improv ☀️🌷💚

[frlughnanto]

LItha RItuals

A few rituals you can use to help give you an idea of what to create if you're wanting to create your own Litha ritual and haven't written one before :) https://www.ravenandcrone.com/catalog/a8/Litha,-Summer-Solstice-Rituals,-Activities-and-Lore/article_info.html

[wrathfulclam]

Lavender’s Midsummer Sumbel

Introduction

This is the rundown of my Midsummer sumbel that I will be performing this evening to honor Sol, as well as a few of my other deities. I can’t exactly wait for sundown considering it does not really set right now (go Sol!), but I will be doing it at a point when the sun is low and retreating. I practice my faith alone, so this is my edited form of a sumbel, meant to be done alone. Feel free to utilize this template.

Basics

I will begin by preparing an altar (work surface) on which to set my offerings, candles, and flowers. I am using a small coffee table for this purpose. I am going to clean it thoroughly, and then arrange several small yellow tea lights and a lantern on it. I am also placing some sunshine-y flowers on it and the cup I will use for libations. Since I am alone, I will essentially do a shot for my procedure. I will light the candles before beginning, and extinguish them at the conclusion.

I will be using either lime vodka or some sake for my libations, but I wish I had mead for this. For those who do not consume alcohol, or are too young, I suggest something like tea with honey, or apple juice. 

I have adopted the format of three rounds to the sumbel ritual. The first round will be prayers to Sol, Hel, and Loki. I am limiting it to my main deities as well as Sol. The second round is for the mighty dead and venerable ancestors, which will be a general prayer since I do not have any specific dead to address. The third round will be a prayer of good will to those I hold dear, praying for their wellbeing and happiness. I will conclude the sumbel with a final drink and libation to all the gods and all their doings. 

Below I am including the prayers I will be using, and I will post a picture of my “altar” later.

Prayers

Prayer to Sol

I hail Sol, glorious in Her power. It is Her life-giving warmth that nourishes and sustains us. I give praise to this radiant Goddess. I celebrate Her glorious strength. Without Her loving touch, our fields would wither. Without Her gentle care, our world would be bleak and black. I will praise Her gifts, more beautiful than amber, more precious than gold. Hail Sol, live-giver and protector!

Source: Galina Krasskova

Prayer to Hel

Hail to Hel Queen of Helheim Wisest of Wights Keeper of Secrets Keeper of the hopes for tomorrow Guardian of Souls Implacable one of the frozen realm Half the face of beauty Half the face of Death You who feed the dead At your meager table Where everyone gets their fair share, Lady who takes away Yet holds always promise, Teach us to praise loss and death And the passing of all things, For from this flux We know your blessings flow.

Source: Rois Raven

Prayer to Loki

Hail Loki, shape-strong Trickster, I honor You. Hail Loki, wily Sky-treader, I cherish You. For those who offer you insult, I offer you praise. For those who offer you mistrust, I offer you trust. For those who offer you hate, I offer you love. For those who offer you cursing, I offer you blessing. For those who offer you ridicule, I offer you respect. For those who offer you faithlessness, I offer you adoration. For those who offer you indifference, I offer you devotion. For those who offer you obstinacy, I offer you openness. For those who offer you scorn, I offer you fidelity. May my heart be fervent and and my will be strong in these offerings. Hail Loki, shape-strong Trickster, I honor You. Hail Loki, wily Sky-treader, I cherish You.

Source: Elizabeth Vongvisith

Prayer to the Dead

Hail to those who have passed through the veil From Life to Death, to Earth from Breath. Hail to those who suffered to gift me with blood, Hail to those who survived to gift me with body, Hail to those whose songs gift me with inspiration. Hail to those whom I knew and loved in life, Whose memory I carry with me like a word of comfort, Hail to those who left this land long ago, Whose names I honor like a word of hope, Or if I know not their names, whose lives I honor still. I live and love because you lived and loved, I speak and struggle because you spoke and struggled, You live in me, as I will live in those who come after me. Grant me the patience, O my beloved Dead, To see the long view, and remember that what I do Affects a million million souls I will never know.

Source: Raven Kaldera

Conclusion

Well, that is my midsummer sumbel in a basic nutshell. Hopefully you enjoy it, I certainly will be.

[grimoire-of-geekery]

Pics from the Rite of Roses, Midsummer 2014.

The last ritual was tonight (we had to postpone the main rite because too many people were sick, but I still did my ritual that night).  :D

The last pic was included from the workspace of one of the participants in the Hand of Glory spell!  :)  You know who you are, thanks for letting us include it!  :)