Midsummer Rite

* Before this ritual, you should take a cleansing bath. Place three candles on the altar with a wheel of wood and the image of the Goddess. Place five candles before the altar to be lit latter. When ready, meditate for a while: all things change... yet ultimately are the same. This is the turning of the year as all years do turn. When finished, light the candles on the altar and the incense saying:

I do bid the unseen forces of nature To gather close about me. For I do call forth The images of times long past.

* Light the five candles before the altar and place them in the form of a pentagram, centered on the altar. Place the first candle facing North, and the rest according to the shape in a clockwise manner. Pick up the wand and point North, East, South and West, saying:

May winds blow cool The sun shine warm The waters bright and pure. May Earth regain her former glory And the race of man endure.

* Rap thrice upon the altar with the wand and, pointing it upward, say:

O blessed Lady of the moonlight Be with me here, I do ask. Stand near as I do perform This rite in your honor. Blessed Be!

* Replace the wand, then hold your arms out over the altar crossed, and say:

At this, the Night of Midsummer Does the Goddess reign supreme. At this time does She reign supreme. In Her name do I now give praise And call forth into the mists of times For times to come which are better. When men can live in peace and in calm And green forests return once more. Blessed Be!

* Sit, add incense. Meditate for a while on the season's words:" The sacred king doth yield the power to his dark brother, but the Goddess who loves them reigns ever unchanging." At this time you may add as you see fit to the ritual. If a source of music is available a solitary "Dance of Power" may be improvised. To close the ritual, rap slowly five times with the wand, saying:

The hour is done The spells are cast And honor given To the Great Ones Of times far past. I give love, farewell, And blessings To the Goddess And the Ancients. Blessed Be!

* Put out the lights which have been placed about the altar, then those on the altar itself. As the last is put out, say:

The rite is ended.