Summer Solstice/Midsummer/Litha

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Cerredwen	Summer Solstice/Midsummer/Litha	Lead	[-]
Walks an Earthbased Path Posts: 11474 (05/23/06 08:11 AM) ~~Priestess of the Goddess~~ Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Tags : pagan, paganism, witch, witchcraft, wicca, magick, ritual, spells, rite, druid, druidism, celtic, old ways, info, lore, sabbat, wheel of the year, summer solstice, midsummer, meditations, litha Summer Solstice Celebrations Around the World From Rome to Babylon, the Summer Solstice is a time of festival and ritual... Author Unknown The summer solstice is a special time for many world cultures. It is based on a verifiable, astronomical event - the point at which the Sun reaches it's farthest movement north (or south, in the Southern hemisphere). The solstice is the longest span of daylight during the year, and also marks the beginning of summer in our current reckoning. Perhaps that's why so many of the ancient and modern cultures of the world choose to mark the solstice with some type of religious festival. Literally hundreds of groups, from the Norse and Celtic tribes to the ancient Romans, Egyptians, and even Christians have some type of an occasion. The festivals below are just a few of the multitude of religious celebrations of summer, but their imagination, beauty and serenity produce a fabulous picture of the holiday and its meaning, both in our time and in the distant past. Babylonian: Festival of Esagila and Ezida The Babylonian and other Mesopotamian cultures celebrated the solstice as a time to help keep the calendar on track. During the festival, the Daughters of Esagila, or the "Day House" would journey to the temple of Ezida, the "Night House" in order to help lengthen the nights and continue the sun's journey toward the Winter Solstice. The festival celebrated the journey of the sun, and marked the time in which it started its journey towards winter. More on the Festival of Esagila and Ezida... Celtic: Midsummer or Alban Hefin Midsummer is viewed as a minor fire festival in the Celtic Wheel of the Year, but it is considered an important time nonetheless. Many of the ancient stone monoliths are aligned to the solstice, pointing to a great deal of importance in the solstice during the pre Celtic eras. The ritual is in celebration of the marriages of the gods. The traditional bonfires and ritual celebrations were an integral part of the celebration. Perhaps the most important part of the date for Druids, however, was the day of the Druid Egg. It is believed that the snakes come together on the solstice night to create the glain, or Druid's Egg. Anyone in possession of this artifact was said to have great magical powers. Midsummer is also a time of fairy magic and mischief. More on the Celtic celebration of Midsummer... Egypt: New Year's Day The solstice in ancient Egypt was the beginning of the new year, as well as the time of the floods which brought the fertile soil and water to the arid Nile Valley. The rebirth of the sun, Ra, at the solstice was heralded by the rising of Sirius, the brightest star in the heavens and a symbol of the goddess Isis or Hathor (later merged). An in****ion in the Temple of Isis in Denderah reads: "Her Majesty Isis shines into the temple on New Year's Day, and She mingles her light with that of her father Ra on the horizon." From the Denderah texts: "Her rays unite with the rays of the luminous god on that beautiful day of the birth of the sun disk on the morning of the new year's feast." More on the Egyptian New Year... Estonia:Jaanip (St. John's Day) Celebrated on June 24th, the festivals of Jaani (Midsummer Eve) and Jaanip (St. John's Day) are the most important holidays other than Christmas in the nation of Estonia. Although named for the Christian Saint, the festival has its origins in the much older celebrations of the Pagan deities and the solstice. The holiday marks the time when spring planting turns to summer hay-making, and it's traditions lay firmly in the old customs associated with farming and fertility. One of the most well-known of these customs is the lighting of the great bonfire on the morning of Jaani, and the subsequent leaping of the fire for good luck and prosperity. More on the Celebration of Jaanip... Greece: New Year In ancient Greece, the new year began on the first new moon after the summer solstice. Sacrifices were made to Zeus the Savior and Athena the Savior on the last day of the year to ensure good fortune and wealth in the coming months. This was also the time of the festival of Plunteria, the time of the washing and reclothing of the sacred statue of Athena which guards the city. It was considered an unlucky day, as the goddess was absent from the city. More on the Greek Festivals around the Summer Solstice... Native American: Sundance, First Fruits, Katchinka Several Native American tribes mark the passing of the solstice with rites and rituals to celebrate the season. One such ritual is the Sundance, performed by the Sioux tribe. It is performed in a specially-constructed lodge with 28 rafters and 28 standing poles around one great center pole, representing the Great Spirit. The Natchez tribe also celebrated the sun, from whom they believe they are descended, with the first fruits festival. No one was allowed to touch the first ears of corn until after the sacred ceremony. The Hopi tribe also celebrated the solstice, with masked dancers in colorful costumes representing the Katchinkas, spirits of rain and fertility. The Katchinkas left the Hopi villages at the solstice to return to their homes in the mountains. While gone, it was believed that they visited the land of the dead to hold ceremonies for the spirits there. More on the Sundances... More on the First Fruits and Katchinkas... Norse: Baldur & Sunna The norse and germanic people viewed the solstice as the second most important holiday of the year, behind only Yule, the Winter Solstice. Bonfires, celebrations and sacrifices to the gods were important on this day. Many of the May Day rituals, such as the May Pole and Morris Dances were celebrated at midsummer in the Scandinavian countries, instead May Day as in warmer climates. One custom involves rolling a flaming wheel down a hill on Midsummer's night, as a symbol of the sun's movement through the year. The god Baldur, slain deity of the sun, was honored on Midsummer, as was the goddess Sunna, the mistress of the sun. More on Midsummer... Rome: Solstitrum, Festival of Fors Fortuna The date of the Solstitrum, or summer solstice, varied in Rome between the traditional day, June 24th, and the true solstice, usually on the 21st. No major events were held in honor of the solstice itself, but the 24th was celebrated as the Festival of Fors Fortuna, the goddess of good fortune. The festival was one of enjoyment in the outdoors, with flowers decking boats, courtyards and houses. Hymns were sung to the goddess, and many would make pilgrimages to her temple in order to pray for good fortune. More on the Festival of Fors Fortuna... Slavic: Kupalo Pronounced (Coo-PAH-loh), this celebration offers some unique customs to other solstice celebrations. Kupalo comes from the word 'kupati' which means "to bathe" and ritual baths were very important to this celebration. It was believed that on the solstice, the sun bathed in the waters of the horizon, imbuing all waters with a bit of his power. Those who also bathed in the waters on the dawn of this day could absorb some of this power. Along with the usual bonfire rituals, the Slavs also included a straw effigy of a man called the 'Kupalo'. The effigy was dressed in women's clothes and laid under a sacred tree during the celebration, but afterward was stripped and drowned or burned. The 'corpse' was then treated to an elaborate mock funeral, with a 'priest', 'mourners', and incense of dung and an old shoe. More on Kupalo... May the fruit of our lives be bound and sealed to Thee, O Mother, O Woman Eternal who holdest the inmost life of each of Thy daughters between the hands upon Her Heart ~~~~~~~~~~*~ We swear by Peace and Love to stand, Heart to Heart and Hand to Hand. Mark, O Spirit, and hear us now, confirming this, our Sacred Vow. ~Druidic Prayer of Unity~ Last Edited By: Cerredwen 05/08/09 06:05 PM. Edited 1 time.
Cerredwen	Re: Summer Solstice/Midsummer/Litha	#1	[-]
Walks an Earthbased Path Posts: 11474 (05/23/06 08:14 AM) ~~Priestess of the Goddess~~ Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Midsummer On or about June 21 The first day of Summer occurs on or near this date, and the Midsummer Sabbat, (Summer Solstice, Letha) a fire and fertility Rite, is celebrated by Witches and Pagans throughout the world. Midsummer is the longest day of the year when the Sun is at its highest, and, it is also the shortest night. In some traditions, Midsummer symbolized the end of the reign of the Oak-King, now replaced by the Holly-King who rules until Winter Solstice. Bon fires were lit on hilltops, people jumped through the flames, or threw flowers into them for blessings and purifying. The ashes were then dispersed in the fields to ensure good harvest. Royal marriages were consummated publicly so that all could see that life was assured through the mystery of their union. It is the ideal time for handfastings and weddings or for couples to receive blessings and renew vows. Some believe that divinations and healing Rituals are done at this time, as well as cutting divining rods, dowsing rods, and wands. On Midsummer Eve, all manners of magickal plants and seeds were carefully gathered. Children of the Goddess, Witches and Pagans of all sorts believe the Little People (the faery folk) are going about their business in great numbers during this time of balance of light and dark. In Ireland, it was said that the Good Folk would fly around the Baal Fires to put them out so that they could go about their business without being seen. Standing within a faery ring will help you to see them. If you and they are friendly, find a ring of toadstools or clover (bringing milk to offer helps), stand quietly for a time and you will see them. The Summer Solstice is a time when plants are maturing, baby birds are just about ready to leave the nest, meadows abound with flowers, and it is truly a time of abundance though not quite the harvest. This is truly the Full Moon of the Wheel of the Year. For me, this holy day honors the Goddess in Her aspect of Goddess of Love. At Midsummer, I see Her, prepared to accept the responsibilities and joys of Motherhood, not quite Mother, yet more than Maiden. Her body is that of a young woman. Ready, and eager to mate, She is the embodiment of sexual passion, the ripe and fertile Virgin. Her stature is proud, self-assured, confident, and whole unto Herself as Maiden. She IS feminine sensuality, wild and free. She encounters Her Divine Lover, who can be seen as another aspect of Herself, as a man (the God) or a woman (the Goddess). She embraces the death and rebirth of Herself, which happens when beings join and merge in lovemaking. She surrenders to this Divine Ecstasy. She gives of Herself, for Herself, and for all. She then becomes the Young Mother, pregnant with future creations, whether they are personal or global, physical or spiritual, plant or animal, human or divine, practical or artistic. I give thanks for the gift of sexual pleasure, fertility and abundance through the act of lovemaking. Lovemaking is a Rite unto itself, honoring the Earth, the Goddess, and Myself. I feel that, at this point, it is important to note that at no time in this vision does Goddess loose Herself to the Lover. She gives OF Herself. She does not give any part of Herself up, nor loose any aspect of the All that is Goddess. She remains whole unto Herself. This is important because, in this society, it is still assumed that a woman who mates and/or has children will give up or loose some part of herself in sacrifice. This is certainly NOT necessary, and although it does seem to be true in many cases, it does not have to be this way. It is not necessary to ignore ourselves for a Lover, man or woman, or for our children. Nor do we need to become secondary entities to the other. It is important to remember that we, as women, are reflections of Goddess, and Goddess in flesh. We give of ourselves, by choice, and remain whole in the giving. We are reminded that, like the waxing daylight, nothing lasts forever-such is the Wheel of Life-when a thing is done, it must be let go. This is a good time to do Ritual for letting go. Those parts of ourselves which have changed, people who have moved on, children who have grown and left the nest or are simply no longer our babies, sadness, grief, fear, loneliness and pain. These are the things we need to let go of. Release it into the growing darkness to help bring positive change into your life and for the good of all. We are also reminded to live in the here and now. Living in the moment allows us to fully enjoy and appreciate things and experiences as they are unfolding. This is a good time to practice the Give Away, to celebrate the abundance that is lavished on Earth at this time. Donate old cloths or unused items to a local safe house or shelter. Give plants from your garden to friends. Brighten the life of the neighbor you hardly know by giving something of yourself, or bake something for them. Help an Elder in your neighborhood do some yard work. Giving of yourself, your time and your things can be very rewarding and you will see that the energy that you put out there will come back to you many times over. Not to mention what it can do for your self-esteem! Mothers Blessings Cerre May the fruit of our lives be bound and sealed to Thee, O Mother, O Woman Eternal who holdest the inmost life of each of Thy daughters between the hands upon Her Heart ~~~~~~~~~~~ We swear by Peace and Love to stand, Heart to Heart and Hand to Hand. Mark, O Spirit, and hear us now, confirming this, our Sacred Vow. ~Druidic Prayer of Unity~
Cerredwen	Re: Summer Solstice/Midsummer/Litha	#2	[-]
Walks an Earthbased Path Posts: 11474 (05/23/06 11:18 AM) ~~Priestess of the Goddess~~ Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Older Midsummer Traditions Author Unknown Midsummer has always been a time for celebration and dancing. Traditionally, there were bonfires to celebrate the Sun. The bonfires were believed to have the power to burn away all negativity and evil. People jumped the flames, much as they had at Beltane, making wishes. It was believed that the summer grains would grow only as high as they were able to jump. The Celts built their bonfires near holy wells or on a border or boundary of some sort because they considered borders to be magickal entrances to the Underworld. In some places, people light fires on Midsummer Eve. They stay up until midnight to welcome in Midsummer Day, and, when the fires die down, men run or jump through the embers to bring good luck. Ancient Pagans had a custom for Midsummer which consisted of wrapping straw around the wheel of a cart, lighting it on fire, and then rolling it down a tall hill. These flaming wheels were called "Catherine Wheels" and they emulated the action of the sun, which would begin waning after Midsummer Day. If the fire went out before the wheel got to the bottom of the hill, it indicated a good harvest. Since Midsummer is both a time of protection and of divination, in ancient times, the rootstock of a male fern plant was trimmed into the likeness of a hand and smoked in the Midsummer fires. These 'Hands of Glory' were hung in houses for protection. It was said that if the hands glowed with a blue flame, they were revealing hidden treasure in the earth. There is still a famous summer solstice celebration at Stonehenge, the ancient stone circle on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire. On the night before midsummer, a group of white-robed Druids gather at Stonehenge to watch the sun rising. As it comes up, the sun rises exactly over the Heel Stone, one of the stones that lies outside the main circle at Stonehenge. Many midsummer celebrations were moved to the feast of St John the Baptist (24th June). But since Midsummer was a time of magic and wonder-working, evil spirits were said to appear, and people gathered herbs and flowers to protect themselves. One of the most powerful was the plant known as 'chase-devil', which we now call St John's Wort. People used it in potions, and wove the flowers into garlands to decorate their houses or protect their farm animals. They believed that the herb could shield them from the power of evil spirits and could help them foretell the future. May the fruit of our lives be bound and sealed to Thee, O Mother, O Woman Eternal who holdest the inmost life of each of Thy daughters between the hands upon Her Heart ~~~~~~~~~~~ We swear by Peace and Love to stand, Heart to Heart and Hand to Hand. Mark, O Spirit, and hear us now, confirming this, our Sacred Vow. ~Druidic Prayer of Unity~
Cerredwen	Re: Summer Solstice/Midsummer/Litha	#3	[-]
Walks an Earthbased Path Posts: 11474 (05/23/06 11:30 AM) ~~Priestess of the Goddess~~ Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Summer Solstice June 21st From WOS Origins: The Midsummer Sabbat or Summer Solstice (also known as Alban, Hefin, and Midsummer) is celebrated by Witches and Pagans throughout the world. Midsummer is the longest day of the year when the Sun is at its zenith, and consequently the shortest night. In many traditions, Litha symbolizes the end of the reign of the waxing year's Oak-King, who is now replaced by the Holly-King of the waning year (who rules until Winter Solstice). It is the ideal time for divinations and healing rituals. Until now the God and Goddess have ruled supreme, they have imposed their will upon the kingdom without challenge, but now a somber figure makes his appearance. This is the beginning of the ancient pagan theme of the battle between the brothers; the light and dark kings now begin their conflict. The Dark king attempts to overpower the Queen; the child she bears represents the realm. They fight, light against dark, but at this time the sun is still at the height of his powers, and the King drives the challenger back. In his struggle, he overthrows the userper, but is wounded, and his strength begins to decline. The light still rules supreme, but a shadow has fallen over the kingdom. The God and Goddess remain at the height of their power, yet a new force - darkness - is awakening in the world. Bonfire's representing the Sun, were lit to rouse love, purification, health, and fertility. Some witches believe that this day is the best for working magick. Tradition has it that on this day the Little People could be seen more easily than at other times. It is believed that the veils between the worlds, (like at Samhain,) are thinnest and the spirits of the dead pass through freely. Tradition has it, that if you accidently step on a St. Johns Wort flower on Midsummer night, you would be transported to the realm of the Fey. Herbs common to this festival are St John's Wort, vervain, rose, lily, lavender, ivy, fern. Fresh fruits adorn the alter. May the fruit of our lives be bound and sealed to Thee, O Mother, O Woman Eternal who holdest the inmost life of each of Thy daughters between the hands upon Her Heart ~~~~~~~~~~~ We swear by Peace and Love to stand, Heart to Heart and Hand to Hand. Mark, O Spirit, and hear us now, confirming this, our Sacred Vow. ~Druidic Prayer of Unity~
Cerredwen	Re: Summer Solstice/Midsummer/Litha	#4	[-]
Walks an Earthbased Path Posts: 11474 (05/23/06 03:42 PM) ~~Priestess of the Goddess~~ Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Historic Summer Solstice The Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year. It falls between June 21 and June 24. From this point forward, the days will become shorter until the Winter Solstice celebrated at Yule. The Oak King dies at the hand of his brother, the Holly King, who will rule until Yule, when the Oak will again be reborn as king. This battle is again celebrated at Yule with the God in his guise as the Oak King prevailing and the days become longer again. Some folk wonder why a day in June is considered "midsummer" when in many places the warm weather is just beginning. The calendar has changed many times over the centuries and our modern calendar depends less on the movements of the sun than in years past. Our Celtic ancestors counted May Day (May 1) as the first day of Summer and Lammas (August 1st) as the last day of Summer. Counted this way, the Solstice is, indeed, the mid-point of summer. Midsummer is also known as Litha (Saxon) or Alban Heruin (Celtic). It was one of the Fire festivals. Bonfires would be lighted and it was considered bad luck to let the fires go out. [See Beltaine for more about fire festivals. Many of the activities described in the Beltaine Fun pages would be equally appropriate for Midsummer.] Christians knew Midsummer as the Feast of St. John the Baptist, which was celebrated on June 24. Now is the time when the God and Goddess are at the apex of their power. The Goddess is beginning to swell with the life of the young god who was planted at Beltaine. The world is bursting with life and almost everyone feels more at ease and happier than they will at any other time of the year. Many of the activities that we naturally associate with Summertime are appropriate ways to celebrate the Solstice: Visit the forest or the seashore for a picnic Search for flowers. Five plants were thought to have special magical properties on this night: rue, roses, St. John's wort, vervain and trefoil. If you aren't familiar with them yourself, visit the library a check a book about wild flowers. Play games with your children. Shadow tag, water fights and tug-of-war are traditional. Stay up to welcome the dawn on this shortest night of the year. Rub rowan on your eyelids and watch for faeries. Tell the story of the Oak King and the Holly King, Pwyll and Havgan or of Robin Hood around the campfire. Source May the fruit of our lives be bound and sealed to Thee, O Mother, O Woman Eternal who holdest the inmost life of each of Thy daughters between the hands upon Her Heart ~~~~~~~~~~~ We swear by Peace and Love to stand, Heart to Heart and Hand to Hand. Mark, O Spirit, and hear us now, confirming this, our Sacred Vow. ~Druidic Prayer of Unity~
Cerredwen	Re: Summer Solstice/Midsummer/Litha	#5	[-]
Walks an Earthbased Path Posts: 11474 (05/23/06 03:55 PM) ~~Priestess of the Goddess~~ Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Midsummer/Summer Solstice "Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you." -- Maori proverb Summer Solstice falls at the precise moment when the Sun's power is at its zenith. It is the time of year when the noon sun appears to be farthest north from the celestial equator. "Solstice" is Latin for "sun stands still" (sol "sun" and sistere "to stand" . Summer Solstice is so named because to the naked eye the sun appears stationary in its northern and southern progression. The sun is directly over the tropic of Cancer at the summer solstice, at which time the sun is 2327' north. The sun travels 23.5 degrees to reach its maximum distance from the celestial equator during both the summer and winter solstice. It is the longest day and shortest night of the year. From the moment of Summer Solstice, the Sun immediately begins to wane. The journey into the harvest season has begun. Midsummer has been one of the important solar events throughout the evolution of humankind. It was an indicator that the year was about to begin waning, thus winter would be again returning. Although not all the ancients were as precise in the calculations from an astronomical point, you can be sure that they were keenly aware of the sun's progression, and did most assuredly know when Solstice was upon them, as the sun appeared to stand still in its northern progression. The axis of Stonehenge, which aligns with the monument's entrance, is oriented in the direction of the midsummer sunrise. The Teotihuacn Temple of the Sun, a pre-Columbian temple located in Mexico, was also oriented to the sun's passage at the Summer Solstice. During the time of the ancient Egyptians, Sirius (the dog star) rose on the Summer Solstice (today it rises August 10) heralding the beginning of their new year, just before the season of the Nile's flooding. Richard Hinckley Allen suggests that the star is connected with the dog because it was thought of by the ancients as the "guardian of the horizon and also the solstices" (Richard Hinckley Allen's Star Names: Their Lore and Meaning).The impact of the sun's journey was one that traversed all the world's population throughout all time. The ancients knew that life came from the sun, it was life giving, life supporting, without it life would be lost. The journey of the sun impacted life at every level in the course of time, only relatively recently with the advances of electricity, greenhouses, transportation networks, has human reliance on the passage of the sun been lessened. Even with this dependence lessening, in this technological age, necessity of the sun and its path is crucial to our existence, however it is not as apparent today to many. Midsummer celebrations begin with Midsummer eve, as the Celts and many ancient groups, reckoned the beginning of day to occur at dream-time or nightfall. Through the progression of Christianity Midsummer's Eve became Saint John's Eve, but the roots of which are and were firmly planted in their Pagan origins. Midsummer Eve is the evening of herbs. The herbs and flowers gathered this night are considered exceptionally potent. St John's wort, burdock, thorn, and nettle , harvested on Midsummer Eve are hung on doors and windows and placed around the home for protection. Houses are decorated with fennel, orpine (also know as Sedum; live forever; stone crop), St. John's Wort and birch branches. Royal Fern (Raithneach na Ri) seeds which are gathered on midsummer are said to make the possessor invisible. They who find Royal Fern blossoms on Midsummer's eve become wise, lucky, wealthy and and all around happy folk. Women wear braided circlets of clover and flowers, while men wear chaplets of oak leaves and flowers around their heads. In times past livestock were also decorated with garlands made of flowers, foliage, and oak leaves. It is at Midsummer that the Holly King, God of the Waning Year, has encountered the Oak King and succeeded in usurping the reign of the year. In Celtic Mythology the Young God withdraws into the Wheel of the Stars and it is here he waits and learn before his rebirth at Winter Solstice. It is the time when Belenus, Belenos - the Sun god, begins to die, fir-branches; Balefires; were kindled to light his downward path, he will return again at the Winter Solstice, when the Yule logs and lit fir-braches will guide His return. A few of other deities associated with Midsummer include: Lugh, Lleu, Lugos, Aine. Fire is an important aspect to Midsummer celebrations. The balefires, bonfires on hilltops, at crossroads, or any place where folks could gather reaches far back through the progression of time. The fire of Midsummer is traditionally kindled from the friction of two sacred woods, fir and oak. Nine different types of herbs are thrown upon the Midsummer fire. These consist of mistletoe, vervain, St. John's Wort, heartsease, lavender, and a choice of four others chosen from herbs typical of this season such as yarrow. Folks would feast, dance and jump the fire for luck and fertility. The herds were driven through the embers in days long ago to purge disease and illness from them. When the fires had burned down, folks would carry ashes back to their homes to sprinkle on fields, the four corners, and lay embers on the hearth. Ashes bring powers of protection, health and luck. Water is the other important aspect of Midsummer. In times past folks swam in waters that flowed towards the rising sun as it climbed in Midsummer morning sky. Bathing in springs and rivers on Midsummer brings healing, cleansing and protection. The dew of Midsummer is said to bestow health to whomever drinks of it. Especially powerful is fetching running water of Midsummer morn and mixing it with ashes from the bonfire, sprinkling it around the house, yard and on oneself bestows protection and luck. Midsummer is the time of sweet strawberries, blueberries, cherries, blackberries and more. New potatoes, lettuce, peas, carrots, radishes and onions are ready for picking. Tarragon, chamomile, sweet woodruff, St. John's wort, hyssop, lovage, mint and other herbs are fresh and delightfully robust. Bee balm, phylox, oxeye daisies, roses, lily of the valley, calendulas, St John's wort, marigolds and others are in bloom, it is a time of olfactory abundance. Foods and decorations center around what nature has bestowed, rich, colorful and flavorful - mint iced teas, dandelion salads, strawberry shortcakes, geranium leaf sorbet, berry pies, daisy chains, lavender wreaths, rosemary garlands. The pure enjoyment that only summer fresh foods, sweet summer flowers and joyful company that only midsummer can bestow. Midsummer is the time when everything is abundant and flourishing. Flowers smell their sweetest, colors are their most vibrant, trees are their greenest, berries are their sweetest, and faeries are their most playful, it is the time that nature's lavishness has reached a pinnacle point. It is said that during a full moon on Midsummer Eve a mortal may witness fairy dances and celebrations. Be sure to leave an offering for the fey on Midsummer eve, so they may think fondly of you and yours. The passion at Midsummer has escalated from the playfulness of Beltane to a more fervent intensity. Couples who handfasted the year before at Beltane, tend to marry in a more formal handfasting at Midsummer or Lughnasadh. Divination on matters of love are especially powerful Midsummer's eve. In Scandinavian countries, the night before Midsummer, every young girl places a bunch of flowers tied with nine pieces of grass or nine flowers under her pillow, upon which she will sleep and dream of her future husband. In Ireland the young lasses place yarrow under her pillow to dream of her mate. The moon of Midsummer have a few names one being the Honey Moon, as this is a time when the hives are been rich in honey, which gathered and fermented into a drink known as mead, customarily, drunk at wedding parties. Mead is rumored to be an aphrodisiac; thus we can observe the roots of modern day marriage practices and "honeymoons", in their Pagan soil. This being the season of passion, will, strength and surprisingly that of soothing love - Midsummer is the perfect time to understand the dynamic aspects of passion, will, strength and the need of the corresponding gentle aspects that love can bestow. The Sun and fire, akin to the Spirit upon which we ride, is coupled with, the Soul, the softening Lunar and water influence. Spirit without Soul is ego in a frenzy whereas Soul without Spirit languishes, there needs to be a proper balance between Fire and Water; Sun and Moon; Spirit and Soul. For it is only through understanding these dynamics, acknowledging our deep pounding passions, our intense sense of will, and the strength united with the gentility of love that is bestow upon us can we utilize them correctly. Giving us a sense of purpose, a direction, a heartfelt and determined course upon which we can set sail. For these passions, will take us to heights unseen, will fuel our creativity, and bring us into realms unrealized in the mundane mind and life. It is through this season that we can see the beauty of life, the intensity of being, the rapture of passion, the exhilaration of awareness, possibilities of creation and the surprising tenderness of love. For it is passion and love that have driven humankind to realize some of its greatest treasures and its most extreme violations. It is only through awareness and conscious action that passion can bring us to the zenith of existence. This is the time to experience our passions and the force within, to be conscious of how we use them and the gifts they can bring and experience our own true power. Blessed Midsummer to you and yours! Christina Aubin Source *You'l also find links to other great info at the bottom of the page!* May the fruit of our lives be bound and sealed to Thee, O Mother, O Woman Eternal who holdest the inmost life of each of Thy daughters between the hands upon Her Heart ~~~~~~~~~~~ We swear by Peace and Love to stand, Heart to Heart and Hand to Hand. Mark, O Spirit, and hear us now, confirming this, our Sacred Vow. ~Druidic Prayer of Unity~
Cerredwen	Re: Summer Solstice/Midsummer/Litha	#6	[-]
Walks an Earthbased Path Posts: 11474 (05/23/06 04:11 PM) ~~Priestess of the Goddess~~ Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Summer Solstice Alban Heruin, the light of the shore, for three days from sunset around 21 June according to the Astronomical calendar, for power, joy and courage Animal: Bear Tree: Oak Herbs and incenses: chamomile, elder, fennel, lavender, St. Johns Wort and verbena. Candle colours: red, orange, gold Crystals: brilliant red or orange crystals, stones of the sun, such as amber, carnelian, orange, beryl, or jasper, sun stone, also crystal quartz. Agricultural significance: The long days and warm weather are vital for long hours in the fields as young animals grow strong and crops begin to ripen; but there is an awareness that the Summer Solstice does mark the longest day of the year and that henceforth, though imperceptibly darkness increases; this is a reminder that time is finite and chores cannot be put off indefinitely. Folk/magical significance: The Sun God is crowned by the Goddess and for this one day takes his place as her equal. But it is joy tinged with sadness for the Dark Twin is born and grows stronger, even as the Sun King becomes weaker, day by day. The Goddess or her priestess/Druidess representative, casts her bouquet on a hilltop fire to add her power to the sun and to pay tribute to him. As at the Midwinter Solstice, strength is given to the sun fire wheels were rolled from the tops of hills and flaming tar barrels and torches hurled into the air. In the Sun Goddess tradition, she was said to bathe in the waters of the earth on the Solstice Eve and so river water was (before pollution) regarded as especially healing for bathing at dawn on Summer Solstice morn. Ritual significance: The day of pure Awen as the three bars of Light appear at Dawn. Alban Heruin, was the longest day of the year. Stonehenge is oriented to mark the sunrise at the summer and winter solstices. Druidic ceremonies are held at Dawn and Noon on the Solstice at sacred circles and stones and some groups and individuals keep a vigil from sunset on the previous evening. At sunset of the Summer Solstice, another significant ritual point the Heel (Sun) Stone outside the circles at Stonehenge casts a shadow on the Altar Stone, thus marking the beginning of the dying of the year. Deities: Sulis (Minerva). At the sacred Celtic hot springs at Baths, the Romans built their own magnificent healing edifices, combining the indigenous Sulis, the Celtic Sun Goddess and resident patroness of the sacred waters at Bath, with their own Minerva Goddess of Wisdom. Symbols: use brightly-coloured flowers, oak boughs, golden fern pollen that is said to reveal buried treasure wherever it falls, scarlet, orange and yellow ribbons, gold coloured coins, sun-catchers and golden fruit. Summer Solstice rituals are good for success, happiness, strength, identity, wealth, fertility, adolescents and young adults, career and travel. Source May the fruit of our lives be bound and sealed to Thee, O Mother, O Woman Eternal who holdest the inmost life of each of Thy daughters between the hands upon Her Heart ~~~~~~~~~~~ We swear by Peace and Love to stand, Heart to Heart and Hand to Hand. Mark, O Spirit, and hear us now, confirming this, our Sacred Vow. ~Druidic Prayer of Unity~
Cerredwen	Re: Summer Solstice/Midsummer/Litha	#7	[-]
Walks an Earthbased Path Posts: 11474 (05/28/06 10:41 AM) ~~Priestess of the Goddess~~ Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Litha Introduction Copyright Lady Bridget 1997 Summer Solstice, or Litha as it is also called, occurs on or about the 21st of June, when the Sun enters zero degrees Cancer. It marks Midsummer for many cultures, even though in most of the US, summer has barely started and the kids are just now getting out of school! It is the longest day of the year, and the shortest night; when the sun reaches his apex in the sky, and the days will now grow shorter as the light begins to wane. Many legends explain this phenomena as the darkness triumphing over the light. The darker brother kills the lighter brother in these legends, and the brother who dies resides in the underworld until it is time for him to return and slay his brother again, to rule for the next 6 months. The stories of Lugh and Goronwy, and the Oak King and the Holly King are but two of these legends. It is interesting to note here that the Christian religion has also tried to usurp this holiday by decreeing it the birth of John the Baptist, and declaring it his feast day. Now, other Saints in the Church are only remembered for the day they died (usually in martyrdom) so it is very curious that St. John the Baptist should be the only one recognized on his natal day. Also, the original birth of Christ was moved from late Spring when he was actually born, to December 25 to coincide with the birth of all the other "Sun" Gods. So even the Christian religion has rotated to the Pagan cycle of the Earth, with their births lining right up with our Solstices. The natural cycle, what we call the Wheel of the Year, is evidently highly compelling! This was the traditional time of year to harvest your magickal and medicinal herbs. Cut them with a scythe or boline, by the light of the Moon, while chanting the appropriate chant for the purpose for which the plant will be used. Leave an offering for the rest of the plant, and try not to harvest more than 1/3rd of the plant so that the rest will remain healthy and vigorous. If you have to harvest the roots, then you will need to find a bunch of them growing together, and then only harvest 1/3 of them, so that the rest will thrive in the space you have just provided. Harvesting a branch should be done at the lowest junction where the branch joins the main plant, and be careful not to damage the remaining plant. Nature will provide all our needs, but not if we destroy Her gifts! If you live in the southern part of the US, you can harvest many plants now also, unless you are in the deep south. This far south, like southern Florida, and southern California, not much that has magickal or medicinal value will still be alive by this time. Most of the harvesting must be done at Imbolc, or Ostara, because the intense heat and sunlight will have burned off many herbs by this time. One way to try to save them is to put them under screening, or indoors with diffused light. That will enable some of the hardier varieties to survive through the early summer at least. Since the Sun at Litha is entering Cancer, a water sign, this holiday is one of the best ones for gathering your magickal water which will be used on your altar and in your spells for the coming year. We usually go to the beach at Litha, and gather salt-water. We bring offerings of flowers and nuts, and 3 pennies or 3 dimes for prosperity and throw these into the waves before we take our water. We honor Aphrodite and Yameya as the Goddesses of the Sea by taking some jewelry as an offering. It can be simply a broken silver chain, a ring you used to wear, one half of an earring set, things like that. We find that doing this means that when we visit the beach anytime at all, we don't have to worry about losing any of our "good" jewelry to a jealous Goddess! If you don't live near the sea, another excellent source of magickal water, is rain water from a thunderstorm, and there are plenty that occur at this time of year. The more electrical energy the storm puts out, the more energized the water is, so the fiercer the better! Collect in a glass jar, or porcelain, avoid metal containers. Store on a shelf, and don't leave the jar on the ground, or the energy will ground. We only use our water for 6 months, after that we return the water to the source, and collect fresh. The energized water really only lasts about 6 months. If you add shells, rocks from the sea, or other non-perishable sea items such as coral, the energy of the water will stay higher during the 6 months. This water is not for drinking, but only for magickal use. In June, the Full Moon is called the Honey Moon, because this is the time to collect the honey from the beehives. Mead is an excellent brew made from honey, and there is Lord Riekin's Mead making recipe on this web-page, or you can e-mail Lady Bridget for his instructions also. Mead is the traditional drink for Summer Solstice for that reason. Small mead, or Soda-Pop mead, can be made about 10 days prior to drinking, and is low in alcohol and on the sweet side. For these reasons, it is the preferred Mead to make just prior to this Sabbat. Incidentally, it was believed that since the Grand Union between the Goddess and God happened in May, at Beltain, that it was unlucky to have mortal weddings in May. In addition, many couples found that after the May Day frolic, they were "expecting" and so June became the most popular month for weddings, and still is today. Since the June Full Moon is called the "Honey Moon", can you guess now why that term is used for the time right after the marriage ceremony?!! It is appropriate also, to have honey on the altar during the Cakes and Wine to dip your cakes in for this celebration. In our tradition, we always have honey on the altar to symbolize the sweetness of life. It also is a symbol of what combined energies to a single goal can accomplish! There are many songs associated with Litha, or the Summer Solstice, and chants dealing with the ocean and the ebb and flow of the year are especially appropriate. Do some research, find books of poetry and see how much material is available with the Sun theme, and the Ocean theme. Our ancestors have been worshiping the Sun for long ages, and the wealth of material out there will astound you. Anything that pleases you and your group can be used in your rituals without copyright infringement as long as it is not published, and if you distribute words be sure to credit the proper sources. Happy Litha! May the fruit of our lives be bound and sealed to Thee, O Mother, O Woman Eternal who holdest the inmost life of each of Thy daughters between the hands upon Her Heart ~~~~~~~~~~~ We swear by Peace and Love to stand, Heart to Heart and Hand to Hand. Mark, O Spirit, and hear us now, confirming this, our Sacred Vow. ~Druidic Prayer of Unity~
Cerredwen	Re: Summer Solstice/Midsummer/Litha	#8	[-]
Walks an Earthbased Path Posts: 11474 (06/06/06 01:11 PM) ~~Priestess of the Goddess~~ Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Litha Midsummer (circa June 21) Author Unknown At Midsummer, the Holly King, God of the Waning Year, vanquishes the Oak King, God of the Waxing Year. Read about them here. Celebrate passion and success. This is a night of powerful magick. Laurie Cabot, in Celebrate the Earth, calls midsummer the sun's sea change, when the sun reaches its peak, and "in one magical instant begins to wane." A midsummer fire was traditionally fueled by the friction between two sacred woods -- fir and oak. The element of fire is an important component of Midsummer, possibly because the sun is blazing in the sky and the heat generates thunder and lightning. Says Cabot: "The tradition of hurling fire wheels into the air or down from atop a sacred hill was a common practice throughout Europe up until the 19th century or even later." As at Beltane, herds were driven through the embers of Midsummer fires to purge them of disease. Rubbing the ashes from the Beltane fire on our foreheads at Midsummer heightens our magickal powers. HERBS At Midsummer, nine different herbs are thrown into the blaze -- mistletoe, vervain, St. John's Wort, heartsease and lavender are usually among the nine chosen, but the nine can be chosen from this list: Sage, mint, basil, fennel, chive, chervil, tarragon, parsley, rosemary, thyme, hyssop, honeysuckle, red heather, white heather, rue, sunflower, lavender, fern, mistletoe, St. John's Wort, mugwort, vervain, meadowsweet, heartsease, feverfew, iris, rowan, oak, fir, pine, aniseed, hazelnut. May the fruit of our lives be bound and sealed to Thee, O Mother, O Woman Eternal who holdest the inmost life of each of Thy daughters between the hands upon Her Heart ~~~~~~~~~~~ We swear by Peace and Love to stand, Heart to Heart and Hand to Hand. Mark, O Spirit, and hear us now, confirming this, our Sacred Vow. ~Druidic Prayer of Unity~
Cerredwen	Re: Summer Solstice/Midsummer/Litha	#9	[-]
Walks an Earthbased Path Posts: 11474 (06/06/06 02:17 PM) ~~Priestess of the Goddess~~ Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Midsummer Symbolism Author Unknown Symbolism: Nurturing and love are key actions related to Midsummer. If you haven't yet done so, Litha is a good time to perform your Self-Dedication Ceremony... or - if you have been practicing Wicca for a while - you may choose to perform a simple Re- dedication/Affirmation as a part of your Sabbat celebration. The powers of nature are at their highest point. Great time for herb gathering. Longest day of the year, marks the time when days begin to get shorter again. Symbols: fire to celebrate the power of the sun, sun wheels, god eyes, mother goddess, ripening fruits, sun dials, feathers, and swords/blades. Deities: Father Gods and Mother Goddesses, Pregnant Goddesses and Sun Deities. Particular emphasis might be placed on the Goddesses Aphrodite, Astarte, Freya, Hathor, Ishtar, Venus and other Goddesses who preside over love, passion and beauty. Other Litha deities include Athena, Artemis, Dana, Kali, Isis, Juno, Apollo, Dagda, Gwydion, Helios, Llew, Oak/Holly King, Lugh, Ra, Sol, Zeus, Prometheus, Ares, and Thor. Magick: Healings, growth spells, empowerment spells, and love magick are all incredibly potent at this time Tools: drums, rattles, bonfire, mirrors for reflecting the sun or bonfire, Earth circles of stone energy Colors: white, red, maize yellow or golden yellow, green, blue and tan. Stones: all green gemstones, especially emerald and jade. Other appropriate gemstones are tiger's eye, lapus lazuli, ruby, and diamonds. Animals: include robins, wrens, all Summer birds, horses and cattle. Mythical creatures include satyrs, faeries, firebirds, dragons, thunderbirds and manticores. Herbs: chamomile, cinquefoil, elder, fennel, hemp, larkspur, lavender, male fern, mugwort, pine, roses, Saint John's wort, honesty, wild thyme, wisteria, oak, mistletoe, frankincense, lemon, sandalwood, heliotrope, copal, saffron, galangal, laurel ylang-ylang, and verbena. Traditionally, herbs gathered on this day are extremely powerful. Incense: a combination of any of the following or simply one of them by itself... frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood, lemon, pine, jasmine, rose, lotus, or wysteria. Foods: for Litha include fresh vegetables of all kinds and fresh fruits such as lemons and oranges, pumpernickel bread as well as Summer squash and any yellow or orange colored foods. Flaming foods are also appropriate, barbecued anything, (barbecues represent the bonfires....) but especially chicken or pork. Midsummer is also the time for making mead, since honey is now plentiful. Traditional drinks are ale, mead, sweet wines, fresh fruit juice of any kind and herb teas. Element: fire May the fruit of our lives be bound and sealed to Thee, O Mother, O Woman Eternal who holdest the inmost life of each of Thy daughters between the hands upon Her Heart ~~~~~~~~~~~ We swear by Peace and Love to stand, Heart to Heart and Hand to Hand. Mark, O Spirit, and hear us now, confirming this, our Sacred Vow. ~Druidic Prayer of Unity~
gunners		#10	[-]
Ancient Pathways' Registered User Posts: 3 (06/03/09 02:14 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	This is a swap within a swap, and you have to be signed up for Witch/Wiccan/Pagan Swap 12, or have sent in a "Card Swap Only" questionnaire and be a returning crafter from one of the previous Witch/Wiccan/Pagan swaps to be involved. Information on this can be found from RondaS at the main swap page: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=303252.0 Here's the link to the WWP 12 Swap Gallery for when we start sharing what our partners have made! http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=306012.0 Please answer and post this quick questionnaire/remember to cross off your own name! in the card gallery thread. Quickie Questionnaire: Is it okay that the card has blatant pagan themes on it, or do you need to be careful of the other people in your house that may view them? Does the envelope need to be discreet with regards to pagan themes? Are you okay with tasteful nudity? Would you prefer a traditional card or a postcard? Do you get sickened by those personal news letters people sometimes include with their cards? Anything else? This gallery will serve a few purposes. • A place to post pictures of the cards you receive. You can post them as you get them or you can post several at a time. Be sure to include the sender's name. • THE IMPROVED TRACKING SYSTEM (courtesy of Saturn) that makes my job easier. • A place to prattle on about Witch/Wiccan/Pagan Swap 11 • A place to check in with your progress, for instance "I'm 75.999999945% complete" etc. etc… Here's our participants list. Your name will be blue when you have sent all of your cards and green when everyone has received from you. A number will be placed next to your name to show how many have received your cards, and how many have yet to receive. _____________________ power wheelchair Free Plastics Surgery

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Summer Solstice/Midsummer/Litha

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