June the Twenty of Firsts

On the longest day of the year, a town revives an ancient solstice ritual and discovers its unexpected power....

Hello my Witchlings ,Pagans, and Magic Folk alike and Welcome to my corner of the Woods

At midsummer the sun reaches it's zenith in the sky and we have the longest day and the shortest night- a potent time. In Cornwall the hills around a certain bay would be crowned by bonfires on this night. Old people would read the future from the number and appearance of all the fires they could see. This is an axis-point in the year, a time when things can take a turn for the better or the worse. With this in mind some villages would hold sun-wise processions about the fields to ask the gods to protect the corn from drought or heavy rain.

During midsummer you can make a sigil, because as the turning point midsummer is an auspicious time to make decisions.

1) if the weather is good, sleep in the open, somewhere quiet yet brimming with earth energy. before you go to sleep, say your intention out loud. Make sure you mean it!

2) Get up before sunrise and go to the spot where you can feel the rising sun filling you with it's power. Once the the sun is up, restate your intention.

3) Empty your mind and meditate before eating a hearty breakfast. then take the next step toward making your intention happen.

The Sun is at the height of it's power and is now beginning to decline. In common with the other Solstice and Equinoxes the date of this festival will vary from year to year, taking place between the 20th and 23rd of the month. Also in common with the other Sabbats it would have been traditional for celebrations to have taken place over several days.

Today would be a great day to enact the great battle between Oak and Holly Kings respectfully. Starting on July 8th Holly represents and from June 10th the Oak. At the tine Lord Oak, who presides over the waxing year, gives way Lord Holly, who will rule until the Winter Solstice. Select Two combatants to wrestle to fight with staves until the one playing the Oak King gives way to the other. It is a good idea for them to practise in advance so that they do not harm one another, but still give a good "show" so that the rest of your assembly can cheer and encourage the battle. Before the battle the Lord Holly should challenge the Oak King with taunts and insults, for Oak's time is over. Make Oak and Holly crowns; the Oak one being worn before the battle and the Holly one after. We usually stage this as a family event with the youngest person present being given the honor of presenting the crown. We also follow the battle with a barbeque, the best pieces being given to the Holly King who is allowed to preside over any subsequent games.

Well before I end this i like to recite this blessing an poem:

"The Sunrises high and Balances at the peak.Allow your your healing rays of light to bronze my check.

There is strength in this light as it touches the land,and the length of this day will surely be grand.

The fires burn bright in reflection of the sun, As they celebrate the crops which are soon to come.

Let us celebrate the peak of the wheel of the year, And honor this day before the dark draws near.

Happy Solstice and Happy Litha