Midsummer
(All enter the grove, and a chime is rung three times to signal the beginning of the rite)
Today we have come together as children of the old ways to celebrate the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, and the shortest night. In this season the Sun is in the fullness of its power, the land at the height of its vigor. Now is the time of greatest heat, and of tumultuous thunderstorms. Thus, on this day we give special honor to Taranis, the Thunderer, Lord of Storms and bringer of rain, Taranis, Bearer of the Wheel. From this time on the days’ length will wane, the wheel will turn toward summers end. But today, at the apex of sun’s strength, we celebrate the summer in its glory.
To the Earth, our Mother,
The womb of all Being -
Accept our offering!
To the Awen,
All you of the Primal Dark,
Outsiders, Nightmare spirits, banes –
This tithe is yours, this offering yours.
Leave us be, pass by in peace, and trouble us not in our working!
With Silver, the Well is Hallowed!
With Incense, the Fire is Empowered!
With this offering, the World Tree stands!
Kernunnos, Horned One –
You who stand between the wild world and the civilized,
One foot in light and one in shade,
We ask that you act as our gatekeeper.
Let the Well open as a gate,
Let the Fire open as a gate,
Let this pillar be as the Omphalos of the world!
Let the Gates be open, and magic flow between!
We stand at the center of all worlds.
We are connected to all that is sacred.
Take a moment to be still, to center yourself and feel the flows of the Two Powers within you. (Brief Two Powers meditation follows.)
Shining Ones! Shapers of the World,
Hail and welcome to our rite!
Ancestors!
You who came before us and watch over us,
Hail and welcome to our rite!
Indwelling spirits of the land!
Spirits of this place,
Hail and welcome to our rite.
Taranis!
Thunderer!
Father of Storms!
Taranis who wields the lightning,
Taranis of the turning Wheel,
On this Midsummer’s Day, we give you due offering!
In this, the Sun’s glory,
In this, the height of Summer,
In this, the Storm’s majesty, we give you due honor.
Bless the land with rain,
Bless the oak with might,
Bless the heart with strength!
To the Vigor of the Sun,
To the Might of the Thunder –
Hail Taranis! Hail Taranis! Hail Taranis!
Anyone who wishes to make a personal offering may now do so.
Let the energy of our offerings flow through the gates between the worlds, that the Powers might receive them. Let our voices be heard, and let our praise flow between the worlds!
Having prayed to the Powers, let us now see what omen they have to give us. I will draw three runes, that we may know their advice and their will.
How have our offerings been received?
What advice or blessing do the powers have for us?
What further needs to the powers have from us?
With this beer we share in the Gods’ blessing, our gift for the honor we have given.
As you drink, think about what blessing it is you seek in return.
Shining Ones, we thank you for your blessing!
Ancestors, we thank you for your guidance!
Indwelling spirits, we thank you for your presence!
Kernunnos, we thank you for your presence and for your watchfulness.
Take a moment to be still, to ground yourself, as the flows of power ebb and the mundane world once more comes to the fore.
We have come together and have given honor and offering to the Mighty Gods as our ancestors did of old, and as we will do again in days to come. Now let us depart, and carry from this place into our lives the blessing of the powers, the spark of magic and the light of the holy. Our rite is now ended!
