The Green Man, Jack-in-the-Green, the Green Lady, and the Garden Goddess are some of the vegetative aspects of deity invoked for this holiday. At this time of year, trees, vegetables, and other plants are at their peak, festooned with green leaves and often with fruit or flowers. These deities represent the luxurious growth and abundance of plants.
If at all possible, celebrate outdoors when honoring the Green Ones. Dress and decorate in shades of rich green. Include leaves, flowers, and fruits whether real or pictured on fabric or altar tools. Crown the High Priest(ess) with a grapevine and extra fruits or leaves.
The Oak King and the Holly King
Many rituals recreate this seasonal myth. The Oak King rules the waxing half of the year from Yule to Midsummer; the Holly King rules the waning half of the year from Midsummer to Yule. At this time, they duel and the Holly King will defeat the Oak King.
This type of ritual theater is performed by two men who represent the Oak King and the Holly King. Traditionally the Oak King is a younger man with lighter hair, dressed in green with accents of white or gold, decked with oak leaves and acorns. The Holly King is an older man with dark hair, dressed in red with accents of black, decked with holly leaves and berries. They hold a mock duel — our coven once did this incorporating a flashy bit of stage magic and it was very memorable.
The Summer Solstice
At the summer solstice, the sun has reached its farthest position from the equator, its peak of power. This is the longest day, after which days will shorten as nights grow longer. This marks the peak of the growing season and lets people know that harvest is around the corner. Solar deitiessuch as Amaterasu and Raare often honored as part of this celebration, and many religionsobserve this holiday.
Celebrate solar energy by decorating with yellow, gold, orange, and red. Use images of the sun and hold the ritual at or near noon, outside to take advantage of the sunlight. An impressive trick is to start a small fire using a magnifying glass to focus the sun’s rays.
Fire Festival
Litha is one of the fire festivals, when people traditionally build big bonfires. Sometimes offerings are thrown into the flames or people jump over the coals. In modern times, wiener roasts and s’mores are very popular. Given the bonfire and warm weather, Pagans often hold drum jams and dance (sometimes skyclad) around the firelit meadow.
Fire festivals usually begin at dusk so that the flames show up well. Tiki torches make a nice gate or circle to define sacred space. Make sure to provide water or sand for fire control and put the altar or food table(s) safely out of the way. Appoint at least one Fire Keeper in addition to the High Priest(ess) leading the ritual.
The Faery Rade
Midsummer is one of the times when the Fey Folk emerge from their hills. Sometimes they play pranks on mortals, as made famous in Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Old tales also recount the “faery rade,” a procession of sidhe and other fey folk riding magical steeds across the countryside.
The Fey Folk love music, laughter, dancing, and good food and drink. Decorate with flowers and fairy motifs. Hang bells, mobiles, wind-spinners, and sparkly things to create a magical atmosphere. Take care with protections, however, because the fey can be full of mischief.
Festival of Mothers
Litha is sacred to the Mother Goddess and to pregnant women. As the Earth grows plump with fruits and vegetables, so the Goddess swells with life. She is often depicted as pregnant with the Earth, or holding a basket of summer fruits and vegetables.
Decorate with images of pregnant women and goddesses. Venus figures are especially apt. Use plenty of red, the color of womanhood and childbirth. Tell stories about pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood. This is an ideal theme if someone in your coven is expecting a child. It’s also appropriate for an indoor setting.
Green vegetables such as snap peas, green beans, lettuce, broccoli, and zucchini represent vegetative deities such as the Green Man and Gaia. These foods deliver lots of vitamins and minerals for healthy bodies. Serve these for an Earth-focused feast.
Yellow, orange, and red vegetables such as summer squash, carrots, tomatoes, and peppers embody the colors of the sun and the energy of the longest day. They contain vitamins that promote good vision.
Fruit salads or fruit breads celebrate the bounty of the orchards beginning to bear. They may also feature the colors of the sun. ”Sun breads” usually have white or yellow dough studded with bright pieces of fruit.
Foods made using the sun include sun-dried tomatoes, fruit leather, sun tea, and sunflower seeds. These are ideal for solar-focused celebrations because they capture the power of the sun as energy we can use. Serve these at a feast for solar deities such as Sunna, Surya, or Lugh.
Smoked fish such as herring and salmon are traditional treats in Sweden and Finland for Midsommar. Because fishing is a major source of food and income for these cultures, fish represent abundance and prosperity. The smoke comes from fire, another aspect of the solar holiday.
Flame-cooked foods such as grilled steaks, barbecued ribs, shish kebabs, and vegetable skewers similarly evoke the sun’s energy with their passage through fire. This is also a great way to involve the men in your coven, as many men enjoy cooking on a grill.
Milk and cheese are Midsummer treats in Sweden and Finland. Historically, their cows only gave milk in spring and summer, so people made the most of the bounty for this holiday. They also made fermented milk products, milk porridges, pancakes and pastries.
Ice cream is a modern dessert that can include fresh fruit as an ingredient or a topping. Symbolically, it reminds us that the sun’s peak is passing and winter lies ahead. A pairing of red (strawberry, raspberry, or cherry) and green (mint, lime, or honeydew) ice cream flavors would make an excellent ending to a feast in honor of the Oak King and the Holly King.
Colors: Yellow, orange, red, and gold embody the blazing heat of the sun; use these for solar celebrations. Green symbolizes the vegetative deities, a deep leafy green. Green and yellow or gold represent the Oak King, while red and green or black represent the Holly King.
Flowers: Decorate with whichever flowers are currently in bloom where you live. Possibilities include daylilies, daisies, gladioli, and yarrow. For a solar ritual, of course, you’ll want to include sunflowers! Edible summer flowersmake an exciting addition to feasts; consider candied rose petals, fresh borage or nasturtium flowers in salads, or stuffed squash blossoms. In addition to blossoms, branches with green leaves may be cut for decorations.
Incense: Scents for this sabbat are mostly fiery (cinnamon, dragon’s blood, clove) or floral (gardenia, rose, honeysuckle). For the Oak King, oakmoss is a natural choice; for the Holly King, bayberry. You can also find recipes to make your own Litha incense.
Music: Midsummer music runs to horns, drums, bells, and tangy strings such as banjo or mandolin. Play something that people can dance to, or sit around the fire together and sing ballads. You can find seasonal songs such as Lithaor albums such as Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Midsummer, and Turning of the Wheel.
Altar Tools: The athame or sword represents fire, aspecting solar and masculine energies. For Green God/Goddess rituals, use an athame and chalice. A staff wound with suitable leaves is apt for the Oak King and the Holly King, or you can use leaf crowns instead.
Midsommarstang: Similar in concept to the Maypole, but different in shape, the Midsommarstang is a tall wooden symbol of masculine vigor, clad in green leaves. Sometimes people dance around these, but there is no cone of ribbons as on a Maypole.
Bonfire: This is yet another holiday when people like to light huge fires and dance or sing around them. Midsummer fires are especially nice for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows after the serious ceremonial part of the evening is done. If it’s too hot to light a real fire, consider making a symbolic fire out of red and yellow tissue paper!
Background: This is one of our more abstract rituals. Rather than honoring on a specific deity or culture, it focuses on the classic poem “Desiderata” by Max Ehrmann, 1927. It explains how to live a fulfilling life. You may wish to read about the poem's history before exploring the ritual.
Preparation: Celebrants should dress in solar colors of yellow or gold. Set up large altar table in ritual meadow, with altar cloth and solar placemat. Put sword, wand, cup, and coin on the altar for Callers. Put sun tea, chalice, crackers, and gold plate on the altar for Cakes & Ale. Everyone brings a Tarot deck to charge, and these are placed in a basket on the altar. People who will be reciting “Desiderata” verses arrange themselves in that order. Form circle around altar.
East Caller: Casts circle deosil.
East Caller: Raises sword overhead and says: Sword of the East, Dawn breeze and eagle’s wings, Join us and bless our circle. Hail and well met!
All: “Hail and well met!”
South Caller:Raises wand overhead and says: Wand of the South, Noon light and lion’s roar, Join us and bless our circle. Hail and well met!
All: “Hail and well met!”
West Caller:Raises cup overhead and says: Cup of the West, Evening dew and frog’s song, Join us and bless our circle. Hail and well met!
All: “Hail and well met!”
North Caller: Raises coin overhead and says: Coin of the Earth, Night peace and bull’s strength, Join us and bless our circle. Hail and well met!
All: “Hail and well met!”
Statement of Intent: In today’s world, it is easy to forget what makes life precious. At Litha, the Sun in his glory reminds us that success lies in doing what you love and happiness lies in being with whom you love. In the Tarot, drawing the Sun card indicates a time of triumph, abundance, and joy. These symbols come together as a shining light to guide us, so our spirits need never dwell in darkness.
We have chosen to honor the Sun with the poem “Desiderata.” The word “desiderata” comes from Latin. It means “things to be desired,” things which are considered essential and necessary. By sharing these verses, let us share our desires as a community and rejoice in each other’s success.
1st Verse Reader: Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
2nd Verse Reader: Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
3rd Verse Reader: Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.
4th Verse Reader: Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.
5th Verse Reader: Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
6th Verse Reader: You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
7th Verse Reader: Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
8th Verse Reader: With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
Lady Raspberry: Leads people in a circle dance to charge the Tarot decks on the altar, chanting four times:
Sun shine and sun spin, Let the power grow within!
At the end of the fourth repetition, everyone stops and thrusts their hands towards the altar.
Bluewolf Stonebear: Begins the Cakes & Ale communion by passing around the crackers, saying, “May you never hunger.”
Rainbow: Passes around the chalice of sun tea, saying, “May you never thirst.”
North Caller: Raises coin overhead and says: Coin of the Earth, Night peace and bull’s strength, Thank you for blessing our circle. Hail and farewell!
All: “Hail and farewell!”
West Caller: Raises cup overhead and says: Cup of the West, Evening dew and frog’s song, Thank you for blessing our circle. Hail and farewell!
All: “Hail and farewell!”
South Caller: Raises wand overhead and says: Wand of the South, Noon light and lion’s roar, Thank you for blessing our circle. Hail and farewell!
All: “Hail and farewell!”
East Caller: Raises sword overhead and says: Sword of the East, Dawn breeze and eagle’s wings, Thank you for blessing our circle. Hail and farewell!
All: “Hail and farewell!”
Release circle.
Sir Malachite: “Merry meet, and merry part…”
All: “… and merry meet again!”
* * * Tools & Supplies Large altar table Altar cloth Sword (suit of Air) Wand (suit of Fire) Cup (suit of Water) Coin (suit of Earth) Sun tea Chalice for sun tea Mini-Ritz crackers Gold plate for crackers Tarot decks Basket for Tarot decks
Ritual for Litha 2009
Background: For one batch of sabbats, we based each one on a different culture. This one is Afro-Caribbean and honors Yemaya, orisha of the ocean and the new year. She oversees the resources of the ocean and expects her people to take good care of it. Like most orishas, she will withhold her blessings if displeased with people's performance of their duties. Preparation: Celebrants should dress in Yemaya’s colors of blue and/or white. Hang the Yemaya flag on the stang and erect it on the West side of the ritual meadow. Set up the small altar table with a blue or white cloth, cowrie shells, and a vase of blue and white flowers. The Waterkeeper carries a sprig of flowers and mint leaves, and a bowl of salt water, and waits at the gate to the ritual meadow. Celebrants line up near the house and process to the gate.
Waterkeeper:As celebrants reach the gate to the ritual meadow, uses a sprig of flowers and mint leaves to sprinkle each one with salt water, saying, “Omio Yemaya!” (oh-MEE-oh yeh-MAI-yah) (Hail, Yemaya!)
Celebrants: “Ashé!” (ah-SHAY) (So mote it be!) Then form circle around altar.
Waterkeeper:Uses a sprig of flowers and mint to cast the circle with salt water, saying, “As the ocean encircles the Earth, this circle surrounds our power’s worth.”
All: “Ashé!”
Statement of Intent: Paraphrase along the lines of, “Yemaya is the ancestral goddess of the ocean, the fish and all other creatures that dwell within it. As the ocean connects all the waters of the world, Yemaya also presides over the family and community matters. As the tides turn, she is the orisha responsible for transformations and the new year.
Fieldhaven Coven, as part of the Greenhaven Tradition, counts the spiritual New Year on Midsummer, the anniversary of our founding. Today marks our coven’s sixth year. As we celebrate many different traditions, today we honor Yemaya and the currents of connection.
Now let the Priestess of Yemaya come forth!”
Priestess of Yemaya: “I speak for Yemaya, goddess of the ocean. All life comes from and returns to the deep waters of the world. On the spiritual plane, the ocean is a source of emotions, dreams, and inspiration. On the material plane, the ocean is a source of weather, food, and travel. As we receive, so must we give. Think about the times you have visited a beach, eaten seafood, or even read about marine life. Understand that not everyone respects the ocean, so she needs our help and protection so that she may continue to sustain us. Now let us share our relationship with the ocean.”
Beginning with the Priestess of Yemaya, everyone answers the first question, “What have you received from the ocean?” going around the circle. Then everyone answers the second question, “What will you give back to the ocean?” again going around the circle.
Priestess of Yemaya: “We have spoken as individuals. Now let us speak as a community. In Yemaya’s name, we will drum and dance to honor the ocean and the connections that bind us together.” Leads the dancing and the chant (7x):
(Yemaya is the Gush of Spring The Gush of Spring is Yemaya The Mother of the Children of Fishes is the Owner of the River The Owner of the River is the Mother of the Children of Fishes)
After the drumming and dancing wind down, says, “Everyone please turn to the West, make some waves, and pour the energy toward the ocean.”
As everyone makes wave motions, says, “Omio Yemaya! May the ocean be pure and the fish plentiful. May the community be strong and healthy. May our actions in this new year work toward the good of all. Omio Yemaya!”
All: “Ashé!”
Waterkeeper:Walks the circle counterclockwise, saying, “As the tide returns to the sea, the circle is open. Go free!”
All: “Ashé!”
* * *
Tools & Supplies Yemaya flag stang small altar table blue or white altar cloth cowrie shells vase blue and white flowers bowl sea salt water drums
Her name is a contraction of Yoruba words: "Yeye emo eja" that mean "Mother whose children are like fish." Yemaya chant
Yemaya drums & dances – Yemaya’s dancing is mainly in the arms and shoulders, making wave-like motions, plus some head gestures. The foot steps are back and forth in a waltz-like style, or closely spaced as the dancer whirls in circles.
Using skirts to represent waves A good drum rhythm in a Yemaya song Another good drum rhythm, plus using hands to represent waves and washing Poor framing, but stunning vestments and some great moves; Yemaya is in blue and white with waves on her skirts. There is a good view of her dancer from about 2:50 to 5:00 in this clip. An Afro-Cuban dance class teaching a Yemaya dance, showing the hand motions and the foot steps; good drum rhythm too.