Litha 2005
Steph & Kim

Preparation:
Play some peaceful music for the ritual. Set up Quarter Candles and any accessories symbolizing the Elements of the Quarters. Decorate the altar with seasonal flowers, especially Sunflowers. Place the Cauldron in the center of your altar, the Red Sun candle to the right of it, the Green Goddess Candle to the left of it and the white candle in front of the Cauldron. Place the cup of Fresh Spring Water in front of the Goddess Candle. Sweep area moving in deosil manner

Priestess: Sprinkle everyone with water for purification.

All: Sit quiet and meditate for a while, then ground and center.

Cast the circle:

Priestess2: Pick up Wand, and with arms upraised, face South and say:
"We celebrate the Mid-of-Summer, held in honor of the Blazing Sun God. All of Nature vibrates with the fertileness of the Goddess 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 stronger And the light has kept growing longer, until today ...The light is at its peak, Litha, Midsummer's Day, Summer Solstice. From here, the light begins to fade, 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."

All: Face the altar

Priestess: Light the Green Goddess Candle to the left of your cauldron, saying:
"0h, Mother of Nature, She that brings the meadow to bloom, Green Forest Mother, from lakes and streams your children spring forth. Blessed Lady of the stars and the Moon, Fruitful Womb of which I honor,and ask of 'Thee, Thy Blessings."

Priestess2: Light the Red Sun God Candle to the right of your cauldron, saying:
"0h , 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."

South: Lights her candle and says:
"Now is the time of summer, when the heat steams from the earth, the lakes grow warm, and the breezes bring heat with them, as well as rain. I invoke the warden of the South, Paralda."

West: Lights her candle and says:
"Now is the time of summer, when the rains fall hot and bring with them heat and making the air wet, soaking the earth. I invoke the warden of the West, Nixsa."

North: Lights her candle and says:
Now is the time of summer, when the heat makes the earth shimmer under our feet in the air, and the rain steams from the ground even as it hits. I invoke the warden of the North, Ghob."

East: Lights her candle and says:
"Now is the time of summer, when the heat and humidity make us flee indoors in search of cooler, drier air and the earth is parched. I invoke the warden of the East, Djinn."

South: Steps into the circle and lights the white candle in the center of the altar, then steps back into the South and Says:
"It is Midsummer, and the Lord of Flames takes his height."

West: "It is the longest day."

North: "It is the shortest night."

East: "It is Midsummer."

South: "The Lord of Flames shines his mightiest."

North: "It is the time of light."

East: "It is the death of dark."

West: "It is Midsummer."

South: "The Lord of the Flames is at his most powerful."

East: "It is the reign of summer."

West: "lt is the poverty of winter."

North: "lt is Midsummer."

South: "The Lord of the Flames brings his heat, baking all in its path as the Earth rises to the Summer Lord."

West: "His light illuminates the sky, and night becomes day."

East: "Between us, we hold the earth and sky."

North: "Within in us, we hold the dark and light."

West: "Among us, we hold the Lady and her children."

South: "Fire."

North: "Earth."

East: "Air."

West: "Water."

All: "And the fire grows between us."

South: "Summer."

West: "Autumn."

North: "Winter."

East: "Spring."

All: "And the fire glows within us."
South: "The Sword." She sets the sword on the ground facing South.

East: "The Wand." She sets the wand on the ground facing East.

West: "The Cauldron." She sets the cauldron on the ground facing the West.

North: "The Stone." She sets the stone in the North.

All: "And the sword of fire around us."

South: "The Lord of Summer takes arms and strides across the sky, bearing with him his shield of the Sun and the Sword of Fire. On this longest day, none challenge him and he reigns for one day supreme, unchallenged."

East: "Fire in the air as lightning."

North: "Rears to strike the ground."

West: "Soaked with the summer rain."

All: "We bid welcome to the Fire, the Lord of Summer."

South: "The King doth keep his revels here tonight, to dance our ringlets in the whistling wind. And we four greet him. Welcome lord!"

All: "Welcome Lord!"

All: "Prepare your Pouch of Summertime Herbs, and as you make it, pour your troubles, pains, sorrows, illness, and regrets into it."

All: Take the Herb Pouch and hold above your head, saying: "By thy power. oh sacred herbs, may the Lord of the Sun burn away the hurtful, the troublesome, and the painful, Leaving me
purified through his warmth and light."

All: Hold the pouch over the white Altar Candle to take flame. While it is burning, drop it in the cauldron, saying: "Great Goddess and Great God, from Thee all powers flow forth. The Two that are One, Great Spirit of All-That-Is, By Thy powers, and the powers of Air, Fire, Water, and Earth, By Thy powers, and the powers of the Sun, Moon, and Stars, I banish these negatives from my life. Visualize the negatives burning away to nothingness."

Priestess: When all that is left is ashes, douse the ashes with the cup of Fresh Spring Water.

All: Feel as if the water were being poured over you and your negatives washed away. Air dry by dancing and running your hands up and down your arms, body, and legs. Don't forget your head... lay it back and shake, running your fingers through your hair. When done, face altar, wave hand over the cauldron and say: "As the Phoenix rises from the ashes, so let this water be pure
and new. Mother Goddess, bless this water so that it may bless and renew me. Father God, may your rays of the Midsummer Sun bless and nourish me. Two that are One, may your blessings
sustain me as I journey, anew."

All: Pass your cupped hands over the cauldron, pausing briefly 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 cauldron water, and trace a pentagram on your forehead, saying: "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 and always."

Anoint the centers of your palms, saying: "Let my hands be gifted to work in magickal ways."

Anoint the soles of your feet, saying: "Let my feet ever walk upon the sacred paths!"

All: Walking clockwise around the altar, say: "Great God, Father of the Earth, Shine down on this, your strongest day. Blessed Goddess who gave us Birth, Bless us who honor your ancient way. As Summer's light falls to the ground, lending crops and trees it's power, the Summer winds blow warm and round, touching the corn silk and the flowers. We give you thanks, our Mother Earth, We praise you, fire of the Sun. We dance this Solstice day with Mirth, from dawns' first light 'till the day is done. Blessed Be!"

High Priestess: "Now is the time for meditation and any spell workings. Midsummer spell workings include: prosperity, fertility, and plentiful harvests."

Finish by having the Cakes and Ale Ceremony and releasing the circle, The Ritual is done.