Midsummer 2009
By Haley
Tonight we will be honoring the Sabbat of Midsummer or the Summer Solstice using the theme of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The words I will use for invocations and quarter calls will come either directly, or simply through feeling, from the play. This ritual will be somewhat different from past rituals that I have lead in that we will be using visualizations as a group in order to achieve unity as well as to cast our circle. While the format of tonight’s ritual may not be traditional, I assure you that I feel strongly about the ritual I have written and I think that, if you open your mind to the world of fairies, madness, and midnight magic, this will be fun and refreshing. Also, keep in mind that I’m not a classically trained Shakespearian actress so be kind to my rendition of some of this.
Circle Casting
As I cast the circle, I ask that you will close your eyes and envision and glowing white light creating a fairy ring around us tonight. Breathe deeply and feel the energy expand inward to touch each of us, growing more golden as each participant is encompassed. Finally, the light will reach the altar, and alight into a brilliant golden orb surrounding this space. Hold this image.
You spotted snakes with two-pronged tongues
And spiky hedgehogs, be not seen
Newts and blindworms, do no wrong
Come not near our fairy ring
Weaving spiders, come not here
Away, you long-legged spinners. Hence
Black beetles, approach not near
Worms nor snail, do no offence
Come not near our fairy ring
No harm, nor spell, nor charm
Nor ill meaning spirits yield
Goddess, create for us a sacred dance
And so our ring is sealed
Blessed be.
Thank you, now I ask that you join me in calling the quarters.
Call Quarters
East
Feel the airy breeze from the east graze your skin. Smell the refreshment that the summer wind brings to our circle.
Oh, mighty fairies of the wind at the door
Blowing over hill and the over dale
Through brush and through the briar
Thou blessings this night we implore
With peace, be welcome in our circle
Blessed be
South
Envision the warmth of the summer sun kissing your skin. Let the warmth and the light of the fire spirits join our circle.
Oh, mighty fairies of the burning fire
Brilliant glow of the wanderer’s lantern
The wayward sprite’s path you alight
Thou blessings this night we inquire
With peace, be welcome in our circle
Blessed be
West
Imagine for me that you can smell the earth after a rainstorm, let the properties of rebirth and regeneration that the water brings caress the circle.
Oh, mighty fairies of the flowing river swell
Who kiss the petals with dew drops
Of paved fountain and rushy brook
Thou blessings this night we compel
With peace, be welcome in our circle
Blessed be
North
Lastly, feel the softness of thick green grass beneath your feet, let the strength and comfort of the dark moist earth touch our circle
Oh, mighty fairies of the fragrant earthy bower
Cradle of the mustard seed pods
The lover’s stolen wood of magic blooms
Thou blessings this night we are wont for
With peace, be welcome in our circle
Blessed be
Invocation
Goddess
Goddess of the moon’s cold light
Diana, Hecate, and goddesses of the sunrise
Called Titania, as the fairy queen
Be quick and waste no time
Shine upon us with blessed beams
So we may effect this business yet ere tonight
Grant this ring with dreams in sight
Blessed Be
God
Shining God of the morning’s sun
Apollo, Neptune, and merry wanderers of the night
Join us this night as the king Oberon
Be quick and waste no time
Bestow upon us your golden glow
So we may effect this business yet ere tonight
Grant this ring with dreams in sight
Blessed Be
Informational
Tonight is Midsummer. The shortest night of the year which is known for its magic and mystery. This is a solar holiday to honor the God being at the height of his power and the day’s ability to dominate night. After tomorrow, the darkness will begin to regain minutes from the sunlight until with reach the shortest day of the year at the Winter Solstice. As tomorrow is the true day of the solstice, tonight is Midsummer’s Eve, and the best night for magical dreaming. We will be making fairy dream satchels so that, as we sleep tonight, the fairy Puck may bring us dreams of the future. However, as we all know, fairies can be most mischievous, so in order to have them bring us the dreams we want, everyone will be taking home a little treat bag to spread about outside to placate the errant fae.
Dream Satchels
Make the dream satchel according to what types of dreams you would like to have tonight.
Summer’s bright enchantment
Workings of my will
I know begins the power
That turns the magick mill
Communion
It is said that if you eat of a fairy’s food then you will be trapped in their world for seven years. It is in this manner that a fairy prince in a story I once read gained his bride. She ate a handful berries and nuts and was lost to his world. I assure you that, by joining in our feast this night you will not be trapped in some ether realm for seven years. Rather, we feast tonight in honor of the bounty of the summer and in celebration of the Midsummer’s eve. So you can feel safe in sharing in this bounty.
Let us join together to bless the drink and food. Firstly, picture a fine thread of silver light slipping into the room through the windows. This shaft of moonlight will drift in and land upon our altar, and as it lands, watch it widen to encompass the entire surface. Let us allow a moment for the blessings of the Goddess to soak into our drink so that, as we quaff from it we are able to take the blessings of the Goddess of the moon within us. Next see a brilliant golden beam glide into the room to join the moonlight upon our altar. See this warm sunlight from the God envelope the table and allow the blessings from the God saturate our food so that we may receive his blessings as we partake of it.
Through the communion of the Lord and Lady’s fair blessed beams are we quicked this night. Upon our tongues do blessings lie. So mote it be.
Release God, Goddess, and Quarters
Oberon, Titania, and in your train
Tonight you our lord and lady be
Fairies of the wind, sea, earth and flame as well
Skip hence and forsake this circle if you must
We thank you for your company
As you depart leave us with joy and prosperity
Hail and farewell
Ending
As our fairy ring departs I leave you with this
If you this night I have offended
Think of this and all is mended
That you’ve only slumbered here
While this rite did appear
And this weak and pointless theme
Was nothing better than a dream
Gentle folk do not reprove
Pardon me and I’ll improve
As sure as I’m honest as Puck
Should I have the special luck
Not to earn your scornful hiss
I’ll soon mend what’s now amiss
Else, this puck a liar call
So goodnight unto you all
This rite has ended and the circle is open.
