Celebrating

[Lilu]

I was talking with a couple of the other moderators, and we thought it would be fun to discuss any ideas/plans/rituals etc. that you do with your children or family for the Summer Solstice.

So, how about it? I get a lot of my ideas (even though I have no children yet, I like to read up on the subject *grin*) from sabbat books such as "Sabbats" by Edain McCoy, "Celebrating the Earth" by Laurie Cabot, "Circle Round" by Starhawk et al, "Pagan Rites of Passage" by Pauline Campanelli, and numerous other books. I like to plan my own rituals, but they are often inspired by ideas of other people too.

Do you have any favourite rituals or activities for Summer Solstice (or Winter Solstice even, for those in the Southern Hemisphere!) that you want to share?

Bright Blessings,
Lilu

[Yvonne Belisle]

I think this should be stuck for a week to see what we can come up with. Anyone who wants it unstuck can pm and if we get more than 3 unstick it's we'll take it off. It's too good a topic to take a chance losing.

[Kiya]

because this midsummer is going to be really special. Firstly, I will be out in the countryside in my lovely new home (I used to live in a flat in the city) and also because my wonderful, amazing, gorgeous partner (you can tell he's said the right thing this weekend!!) has agreed to celebrate it with me, even though he is not Wiccan. I was really pleased, because he has always thought my beliefs were a little wierd, but I think over the last few months I have changed quite drastically from the neurotic worry-pants he used to live with to a more centred laid back kinda gal, and he thinks that's a good thing. So, he's now a little more open.

He's started asking me to read the Tarot for him!!

Anyway, we're going to have a bbq outside (weather permitting, and watch the sun go down, the moon rise and just be happy we're together.

*sigh* I can't wait really!

Kiya

[Lilu]

Here's some things I've gotten out of my books that I thought would be of interest for those celebrating the Summer Solstice this week.

From: "Celebrating the Great Mother" by Cait Johnson and Maura D. Shaw

"One traditional use for the Litha bonfire is to ritualise the shedding of things that no longer serve us, consigning to the purifying flames what does not promote life and growth. Each family member takes a small piece of paper and writes down or draws a picture of what she or he would like to get rid of: a self-limiting habit, a fear, a negative attitude. Then, either silently or aloud, each person asks the fire to help destroy it, burn it away, freeing them to become stronger and more empowered."

From: "The Sabbats" by Edain McCoy

"The Teutons ritually gathered ash sticks at Midsummer to use to make wands and staves, believing that this was the same wood that made up the Yggdrasil, the Norse tree of life, which both represents and permeates the entire universe.
The easiest way to have your own walking staff is to find one lying in the woods, and thin enough for you to easily grasp. If you cannot find one, or want a more personal version, you can fashion one from a four-foot dowel.
Pick a dowel one to two inches across - whichever feels comfortable in your grip - and round the ends with sandpaper. You can then paint pagan symbols, zodiac colours, sigils, magickal words etc., on it according to your preference."

From: "Dancing with the Sun" by Yasmine Galenorn

The Colours of Litha:
Gold and Green are two of the most prevalent colours this time of year. Not only do they represent the sun and the verdant forest, but they represent the colours of Faerie Fire Magic. Other colour accents include sea green and red (especially when red roses are added to the altar).

Incenses, Herbs and Woods:
Incense should be full and robust - rose, violet, fir, and cedar are good. Tangerine, frankincense, and frangipani also work.
If you want to work with herbs at this time, St. John's wort is one of the most popular associated with Litha. Also connected with the holiday: basil, parsley, mint, thyme, violet, dragon's blood, fern, vervain and lavender.
Woods of Midsummer include oak, fir, mistletoe and holly.

Midsummer's Fires:
Instead of nine sacred woods being used, these were kindled of oak and fir. The midsummer fires were used much like the balefires, to hex the cattle for health and safety, to drive away baneful influences and they also represented the power of the sun at it's zenith.

The Summer Tree:
A curious Litha custom includes cutting down a fir tree and decorating it in ways similar to the Yule Tree. Decorations include ribbons, coloured eggs, hoops, bows, garlands of flowers, and bells. On the night of Litha, the summer tree was thrown into the fire and burned.

[Lilu]

From "The Sabbats" by Edain McCoy

ZUCCHINI CASSEROLE for Midsummer
(serves 6-8)

5 zucchini
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup sour cream
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
2 cups mozarella cheese, grated
1 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon ground oregano
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground rosemary
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup fresh or canned mushrooms
1 small chopped tomato
1/2 cup bacon bits or ham cubes
2 cups prepared croutons
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Preheat over to 350F. Mix all of the ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Place the mixture in a lightly greased 9 x 13 baking pan and bake for 30 minutes.

NOTE: It doesn't specify what you do with the zucchini, but I can't imagine you'd put them in whole! I'd either grate or chop the zucchini before mixing all the ingredients together.

[reanna]

Excellent stuff Lilu! Thanks for sharing! :):):):):)