Midsummer

Before the rite, make up a small cloth pouch filled with herbs
such as lavender, chamomile, St. John's Wort, vervain, or any of the
Midsummer herbs listed in "An Herbal Grimoire." Mentally pour all
your troubles, problems, pains, sorrows and illnesses, if any, into
this petition as you construct it. 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 a holder should also be on the altar. For
outdoor rituals, light a fire - however small - and drop the pouch
into this.

Arrange the altar, light the candles and censer, and cast the
Circle of Stones.

Recite the Blessing Chant.
Invoke the Goddess and God.
Stand before the altar and say, with wand upraised:

I celebrate the noon of summer with mystic rites.
O great Goddess and God,
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;
O fiery Sun,
burn away the un useful,
the hurtful,
the bane,
in Your omnipotent power.
Purify me!
Purify me!
Purify me!

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


I banish you by the powers of the Goddess and God!
I banish you by the powers of the Sun,
Moon and Stars!
I banish you by the powers of the Earth,
Air,
Fire and Water!

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

O Gracious Goddess,
O Gracious God,
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.

Reflect upon the purification you have undergone. Feel the
powers of nature flowing through you, washing you clean with divine
energy.

Works of magick, if necessary, may follow.
Celebrate the Simple Feast.
The circle is released.



MIDSUMMER LORE

Midsummer is practically the classic time to perform magicks of
all kinds. Healings, love magick and protections are especially
suitable. Herbs can be dried over the ritual fire if you're
celebrating outdoors. Leap the fire for purification and renewed
energy.

Fresh fruits are standard fare for Midsummer.