MIDSUMMER RITUALTools:A Golden Yellow Alter Cloth,Small Cloth Pouch of Summertime Herbs,Cauldron,1c Fresh Spring Water,Red Sun God CandleGreen Earth Goddess Candle,Summer Blend Incense (Jasmine, Rose, Lotus, Wysteria, orcombination).Preparation:Sweep area moving in deosil manor.Set up Quarter Candles and any accessoriessymbolizing the Elements of the Quarters.Decorate the alter with seasonal flowers, especially Sunflowers.Prepare your Pouch of Summertime Herbs, and as you makeit, pour your troubles, pains, sorrows, illness, andregrets into it.Place the Cauldron in the center ofyour alter, the Red Sun candle to the right of it, theGreen Goddess Candle to the left of it. Place the cupof Fresh Spring Water in front of the Goddess Candle.Take a shower or bath for purification. Sit quietly andmeditate for a while, then ground and center. Whenready, play some peaceful music for the ritual.Cast the circle....Pick up your Wand, and with armsupraised, face South and say:"I celebrate the Mid-of-Summer, held in honor of theBlazing Sun God. All of Nature vibrates with the fertileness of theGoddess and of the God. The Earth basks in the light and life of the Sun.The ever turning Wheel of the Year has made the light ever strongerAnd the light has kept growing longer, until todayThe middle of the time of light, Litha, MidSummer's Day, Summer Solstice.From here, the light begins to fade, again,Until once more the Wheel turns to the time of darkness, Yule, Winter Solstice.Yet, for today, the Sun is high, the light is bright, the Earth is warm.As the Sun God blazes above, may the fires of my rite flame below."Face the alter, put down your wand, and light the GreenGoddess Candle to the left of your cauldron, saying:"Oh, Mother of Nature, She that brings the meadow tobloom, Green Forest Mother, from lakes and streams yourchildren spring forth. Blessed Lady of the stars and the Moon,Fruitful Womb of which I honor, and ask of Thee, Thy Blessings.Light the Red Sun God Candle to the right of your cauldron, saying:"Oh, Father of all things, He that plants the seed and nurtures Life.God of Fertility and Fruitfulness, from hill and forest your children emerge.Blessed Lord of the blazing Sun, Potent Consort of which I honor, and of Thee,Thy Blessings."Take the Herb Pouch and hold above your head, saying:"By thy power, oh sacred herbs, may the Lord of the SunBurn away the hurtful, the troublesome, and the painful,Leaving me purified through His warmth and Light."Hold the pouch over your main Alter Candle to take flame.While it is burning, drop it in the cauldron,saying:"Great Goddess and Great God, from Thee all powers flowforth.The Two that are One, Great Spirit of All-That-Is,By Thy powers, and the powers of Air, Fire, Water, andEarth,By Thy powers, and the powers of the Sun, Moon, andStars, I banish these negatives from my life."Visualize the negatives burning away to nothingness.When all that is left is ashes, douse the ashes withthe cup of Fresh Spring Water, feel as if the waterwere being poured over you and your negatives washedaway. Air dry by dancing and running your hands up anddown your arms, body, and legs. Don't forget your head,lay it back and shake running your fingers through yourhair. When done, face alter, wave hand over thecauldron and say:"As the Phoenix rises from the ashes, so let this waterbe pure and new.Mother Goddess, bless this water so that it may blessand renew me.Father God, may your rays of the MidSummer Sun blessand nourish me.Two that are One, may your blessings sustain me as Ijourney, anew."Pass your cupped hands over the cauldron, pausingbriefly each time to "pour" in wishes for health,prosperity, and good fortune to be part of your life.Dip the forefinger of your right hand into the cauldronwater, and trace a pentagram on your forehead, saying:Now is the time for meditation and any spellworkings.MidSummer spellworkings include: prosperity, fertility,and plentiful harvests.Finish by having the Cakes and Ale Ceremony and releasing the circle.Clean up. You are done."Let my mind be open to the truth."Anoint your lips saying:"Let my lips always speak the truth."Anoint your heart area, saying:"Let my heart seek the ways of the Goddess, now andalways."Anoint the centers of your palms, saying:"Let my hands be gifted to work in m'jyk-l ways."Anoint the soles of your feet, saying:"Let my feet ever walk upon the sacred paths!"Source:http://gypsygrl65.tripod.com/thecottagemaymidsummer2001issue/id12.html
