RITE FOR MIDSUMMER 

The altar should be decorated with golds and yellows- this theme is echoed through the candles, cloths and flowers, which might include the traditional summer herbs of St. John’s wort, fennel, marigold, chamomile, chervil and marjoram. Centrally placed should be a sun wheel or sun representation. The bonfire, if you have one, should contain oak wood. If not, a yellow or gold candle can be placed in the center of the circle. The cauldron is filled with water and flowers.

Cast the circle.

High Priest: [faces south, the direction of midsummer and the element of fire]

"Lord of heaven and power of the sun, we invoke thee in thy secret name of Bel, O Lord of the greatest light. Now is the time of thy glory and power. Place your shield between us and all power of darkness. Shoot forth your arrows of light to protect us. Grant to us at this time green fields and good hunting. Give to us orchards of fullness and corn that has risen high. Show us within thy time of splendor the pathway to the peace of the Lord and Lady.”

She draws a pentacle above the altar then plunges the tip of her wand into the cauldron.

 "The knife to the cup, the rod to the cauldron, the sun to the earth but the flesh to the spirit."

The High Priestess turns to the priest and salutes him:

“Now is the time of the sun in its glory when our Lord Bel is at his height in the heavens. Yet it must also be remembered that now is also the time of Bel's decline to his death and rebirth at the darkest time of winter. As it is with the God, so it is with man. We also journey throughout our time, from birth until death and to rebirth upon our way. We must remember that the Goddess will raise the God with the kiss of rebirth and send him, yet again, upon his journey. We also go down to the cloak of the Lady's darkness and her veil hides us from mortal sight. But the tomb is the womb of time from which we return to other lives, to share once more the knowledge and love of our fellows and friends."

High Priest:

“Dance, one and all, dance about the cauldron of our Craft. Be blessed by the waters of of the Lady that are contained in the cauldron, and remember that which you have heard this night.’

The coven dance three times around the cauldron, and the High Priestess sprinkles them with water. This is the time when fire jumping takes place.

Everyone sits down around the fire and the vigil begins to await the dawn. Now is the time to share the wine, engage in divination, feasting and casting incense in the fire.

When the dawn breaks dissolve the circle and taking a light from the fire go to wherever you can to watch the sun come up. It is encouraged with chanting and drumming and traditionally the firing of flaming reed arrows into the sky. Firebrands are then taken around the fields to encourage the crops.  If this is not possible, you could take a candle in a jar round the fields, or lacking a field, around your garden or even window box.

When the fire has gone out take some of the ashes to be scattered in the fields and gardens to encourage their fertility.