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Midsummer

On about June 21, the longest day of the year and St. John's Eve (or Oiche Fheile Eoin (Bonfire Night)), is the celebration of Midsummer, the summer solstice. Magickal herbs such as St. John's Wart and vervain are traditionally gathered now. The circle might be adorned with summer flowers -- sunflowers are ideal. On this day bonfires are lit to celebrate the Sun at the peak of its power. Witches leap over the flames and make amulets of rowan or rue to hang in homes and barns for the protection of animals. The God is honored in his aspect as the Sun God and the Goddess as the Earth Mother.

The young maid stole through the cottage door,
And blushed as she sought the plant of power:
“Thou silver glow-worm, oh lend me thy light,
I must gather the mystic St John’s wort tonight -
The wonderful herb, whose leaf will decide
If the coming year shall make me a bride.”
'The St John’s Wort', an old German poem

Solitary Practice

Before the rite, make up a small cloth pouch filled with herbs such as lavender, chamomile, St. John's Wort, vervain, or any flowers you can find in the wild that are in full bloom. If you use wildflowers, be sure to take a picture of them so you can identify it later. What my husband and I find is that after the ritual, when we go back to look up the properties of the flower, it was more perfect for our task than if we had planned it! Now, mentally release those things you feel are blockages to your goals. These could be troubles, problems, pains, sorrows and illnesses, or even laziness and indecision. Ask the Gods to remove these defects in your character, so a void is created. Tie it shut with a red string. Place this on the altar for use during the rite. The cauldron should also be there or nearby. Even if you use candles to mark the quarters, the red candle in the holder should also be on the altar.

Arrange the altar, light the candles and incense, cast the circle, & invoke the God/dess.

Stand before the altar and say, with wand upraised:

"I celebrate the noon of summer with mystic rites.
Great Mother Earth and Father Sky
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 for purification.
Father Sky
Burn away the unuseful with your fiery light,
the hurtful and bane.
Purify me!"

Lay the wand on the altar. Take up the herbal petition and light it on the red candle on the altar. When it is burning, drop it into the cauldron (or some other heat-proof container) and say:

"I banish you by the powers of Mother Earth and Father Sky!
I banish you by the powers of the Sun, Moon, and Stars!
I banish you by the powers of Earth, Air, Fire and Water!"

Pause, seeing the hurts, pains and defects burning into nothingness. Then say:

"Mother Earth and Father Sky,
on this night of Midsummer magick
I pray that you charge my life with wonder and joy.
Help me in attuning with the energies adrift
on the enchanted night air.
I give thanks."

Open up your your chakras, and see the Gods pour their love into you, filling the void created by the removal of your flaws with Divine Perfection. Reflect upon the purification you have undergone. Feel the powers of nature flowing through you, washing you clean and filling you up with divine energy.

Celebrate the Simple Feast and release the Circle.

* Adapted from the book "Witchcraft Today", an article by Pauline Campanelli, & "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner" by Scott Cunningham, and some of the Spoken Words were Personalized by Ambrosia Knight.

This particular ritual is easily adapted to groups. Sometimes, when we do this ritual, we speak frankly about what we are getting rid of, so that our brothers and sisters can help us make the changes we seek. Just remember, "WHAT HAPPENS IN CIRCLE, STAYS IN CIRCLE". It is good to say this at the beginning of, during and at the end of group ritual. The purpose of group ritual is to put more heads to work on a problem. However, the magic is broken when sacred, and personal things are discussed outside the group that witnessed it. I believe this is the true origin of secrecy among witches, and it is the best practice. If you and the person you are talking to were there, *your own personal experiences* can be discussed, as can the things you learned from the experiences of others. Circle can bring to light aspects of ourselves we would rather others didn't see. This is the power of the group Circle. To have the humility to show your human-ness, and the confidence in your companions to let them bear witness in confidence unlocks something in our souls that allows a more direct intervention from the Gods.