Midsummer’s — Welcoming the Summer Solstice
It’s time to welcome days of fun in the sun — the Summer Solstice has arrived!
As the Sun climbs to its highest point, it reaches its zenith and seems to stand still. Taken from the Latin word Sol (meaning “Sun”) and sistere (meaning to “stand still”), the Summer Solstice marks the mid-point of the growing season — and after this point the days actually grow shorter.
The Summer Solstice is strongly connected to Midsummer, an ancient Pagan festival still observed today. Its origin pre-dates Christianity with Pagan celebrations of Nature and the changing seasons. Recognizing the strength of the Sun and its powerful association to fire, celebrants lit huge bonfires thought to ward off evil spirits and purify their own negative feelings. They adorned themselves with flower garlands as they sang and danced and welcomed fairy energy — for it was believed that the veil separating us from the fairy realm is quite thin at this time of year. This was part of William Shakespeare’s inspiration for “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
A Midsummer Ritual:
If your mood requires a bit of a boost, here is a little ritual that can help. Gather a few calendula or marigolds, or whatever flower you have on hand. You will need two slips of paper and a yellow, red or orange candle — colors that symbolize the Sun.
Light the candle and focus on all that has been blocking you from achieving your goals. Release them by listing them on the first slip of paper. When finished, carefully burn the paper in the candle’s flame.
Next, list all you wish to manifest in the coming season. When finished, wrap the list in a few petals from your flower, fold, and keep in a safe place until harvest time.
Watch the flame for a few seconds and focus your energy on it. Offer a prayer of thanks to your Higher Power as you snuff out the flame. Remember — never blow out a candle’s flame, as it blows the wish away.
A Lovers Charm for Midsummer’s Eve:
You will need a candle and a bowl of water. Light the candle and ask the Universe to show you what you need to know about your love life. Carefully hold the dripping candle over the bowl of water so that the wax drips in. Hold it without consciously forming a pattern. As you do this, repeat three times: “Candle light, Candle flame, show me what is mine to claim.”
Snuff out candle and look to see what pattern has formed. Hearts are good — daggers not so good. It was believed that to do this on Midsummer’s Eve, those looking for true love would find the initials of their beloved in the water.
As I write this, out of the corner of my eye I see a flicker, a flutter, and suspect there is fairy activity in my garden. So, as I leave you to investigate, I wish you all a Blessed Midsummer. And remember — magic happens!