Midsummer Ritual by Boudica

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

The Wheel of the year turns again and we arrive at Summer Solstice. This is a magical time of the year, with long, hot days and warm, short nights. Midsummer is the perfect time to hold ritual out of doors. I would like to offer you a ritual that can be done by a single person (or maybe two), out of doors in a public place. Often Solitaries would like to perform ritual out of doors but feel embarrassed or are afraid of what others might think. If we perform our ritual in its purest form, with our minds and by pure thought, no one will need know or think anything.

 

I am not including any of the tools or trappings,
making this a portable ritual. However, if you happen to be
doing
this in your backyard or some other private place, then by
all means
include your candles, altar or whatever you wish.

Sitting in the grass would be perfect, or a park
bench will do. Close your eyes. Don't worry if you think
someone's
watching. They will probably think you are catching some
sun.

Ground and center yourself, meditate for a short
bit, concentrate on clearing your mind, releasing the
mundane world
and all of it's problems and cares. Find within yourself
that
stillpoint where you are yourself and no one else.

In your mind, cast your circle around yourself.
Make the circle glow in your mind and cast it three times
round. If
you have a casting spell you usually use, say it to
yourself.

With your voice from within, call your quarters,
watchtowers, directions, elements or whatever you call to
your
circle. You know the words, but let them mean something.
Feel them.
One of the benefits of not having the trappings, I think, is
that we
are not distracted by them. We can concentrate on the
meaning of the
words, giving them power and deepening their meaning.

Call the God and Goddess to your circle, welcome
them and all your visitors to your circle.

You have now created the Sacred Space in which
you are going to work.

If you are seated alone in a tranquil setting,
don't worry about people walking by. Your space is around
you, they
will not cross into it.

There are many things you can do now that you are
within your Sacred Space. You can enjoy that moment between
the
worlds with your Spiritual thoughts. You can contemplate the
God and
Goddess, focusing on the meaning of Midsummer.

This is a time when the earth ripens, as does the
mother with her child. She gives us an image of a healthy
woman
caring for herself and her unborn baby. We can carry this
imagery
into our own lives; in caring for the Earth, or caring for
ourselves
and each other. It is respect for life, a duty we should all
pursue actively.

There is the enjoyment of the season, as the
Mother enjoys the blossoming of her belly, full with child.
She is
aware of the joys she will have. We should always be aware
of the
joys of family, friends, good health, clean air, and a
healthy planet.

We can contemplate the relationship between our
God and Goddess. In my own belief system, I seek balance,
equality,
pulling together and equal bonding. Your path may be
different. It is
an individual thing, but whatever Their relationship in your
path, it
is one of love and respect for one another.

Finally, we examine how our path reflects our
beliefs. How do we reflect our beliefs? Do we reflect our
spiritual
life into our mundane world? How do we, each day,
incorporate our
spiritual beliefs into our daily life? Do we seek to improve
our
mundane world by incorporating our spiritual paths? Do we
walk the
walk as well as talk the talk. How can we do better? These
may seem
like big questions and high goals, but if we stretch our
minds just a
little bit every day, we can get a good start on it.

Once your meditations are over, you can do a
small spell of positive affirmation if you want. If not, you
can take
out the "cakes and ale". Don't worry, it will look like you
are having lunch or a snack.

When you are done, dismiss the elementals,
directions or whatever you called to join your circle. Send
them on
their way, ask them to bless all they pass. Thank the God
and the
Goddess for joining your circle, and ask them to return
again.

Before you get up, ground yourself to the earth.
Allow any energies you have extra be returned to the Earth.
Clear
your mind, and allow yourself to return to the mundane
world. Take a
deep breath, focus on those things going on around you and
return to
the world you had left behind for a while.

Stand up, stretch and give thanks again for a
pleasant Midsummer Circle.