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Summer Solstice - Midsummer
From "The Wheel Of The Year At Muin Mound Grove,
ADF"
By Rev. Robert Lee (Skip) Ellison
© 2001
1) Consecration of Space followed by Musical Signal when
finished. (Bell)
The musical signal is usually given by ringing a bell a total of nine
times in groups of threes.
2) Processional.
This chant is usually sung as people are approaching and entering our
Nemeton area over the bridge.
Chant - We Approach The Sacred Grove (Words and music by Sean Miller)
- MP3
We approach the Sacred Grove
With hearts and minds and flesh and bone
Join us now in ways of old
We have come home.
3) Aspurging and Censing as people enter the area. (Water and incense)
Aspurging is done by sprinkling each person with water from a chalice
while saying
"May we wash away all Earthly cares."
Censing is done by fanning incense smoke around each person while saying
"May the Spirit rise within you."
4) Sigil Marking / Opening Prayer.
A short declaration of why we are here is spoken, such as:
"We are in this sacred space to give honor to the Kindreds! Gods
and Goddesses, Spirits of this Place and Ancestors, we are here to remember,
love and worship you."
(Forcefully) "We are here to honor the Gods!" *
TÁ MUID ANSEO CHUN ONÓIR A THABHAIRT DO NA DÉITHE!
(ta mid anshow khun onoh'r a havart do na day-a)
(All repeat) "We are here to honor the Gods!"
*This line is spoken forcefully, first in English, then in Gaelic, and
the English part repeated by those assembled, while two people mark the
Sigil by stepping back a pace outside the circle, then crossing to the
opposite side and through the circle by a pace, then returning to their
starting positions.
5) Honoring the Earth Mother. (Cornmeal offering).
In our Grove, we usually honor the Earth Mother first with a poem written
by one of our members (Gloria). An offering of cornmeal is poured to the
Earth around the circle as the poem is being read. One of her poems for
Midsummer is below.
Earth Mother -
Time moves,
and we watch you change expressions
- from moment to hour,
from decade to eon, we come.
Long have we offered you homage -
touching your face with our lifetimes,
spending our passions in poem, rite and song
as civilizations unfold.
- AND YOU HEAR -
With sand and sea, you hint appreciation
- with ripening moods,
with seasons and purpose combined.
O,
woman child, nurturer, wisdom grown full -
with power and pleasure, gather our praise
- turn it to field, tree and flower.
For no other reason than beauty fulfilled,
make our love and your ageless soul, one.
Chant - Oh Earth Mother (Words by the RDNA, music by Richard MacKelley)
- MP3
Oh Earth Mother, we praise thee
That seed that springeth,
That flower that openeth,
That grass that waveth...
We praise thee, for winds that whisper
Through the shining grass,
Through lively pine,
Through the mighty oak...
We praise thee, for all things.
Oh Earth Mother, you who givest life.
At this time, it is our custom to bestow a kiss upon the Earth, either
directly or via our fingertips, while the presiding Druid says:
"And it is the custom among our people, our folk and our grove, to
bestow a kiss upon our Mother."
6) Honoring the Bardic Deities. (Oil offering)
The presiding Bard usually does this piece. Another form for this honoring
is to call upon one or more of the deities associated with the bards.
For this example, Ogma. As the invocation is spoken, an offering of oil
is poured to the fire.
"Ogma, honey-mouthed, we call upon you tonight to ask for your aid.
We call upon you as patron of the poets and the eloquent speakers. We
ask that you aid us in finding the best words, the sweetest sounding songs
and chants and the most wonderful offerings to give to the Kindreds! We
ask that you accept this offering and grant us our boon!"
7) Expression of Unity.
Chant - We Are One (Words and music by Ian Corrigan) - MP3
We are one, in our grove,
upon the earth, within the sea, beneath the sky.
We are joined, to send our call,
to the honored dead, to the spirit folk, to the blessed gods.
We praise thee, in one voice, in our sacred grove.
We are one.
8) Two Power Meditation Earth & Sky.
Two people, male and female, with one doing the Earth part and the other
the Sky part usually lead this meditation. We do this to incorporate the
subtle energy difference between the sexes. We start by having the people
get ready to meditate. Slow their breathing down, take deep, full breathes,
clear their minds, etc. We then tell them to start using their "inner
vision," that found in their mind's eye.
"(Voice One) Close your eyes and join hands. Take nice deeps breaths.
In and out, in and out. Let your body relax as your breathing slows. In
and out, in and out. Let your consciousness come to that place behind
your eyes where you can travel to all the worlds. All the places. That
place inside each and every one of us that allows us to move freely, wherever
we choose to go. And with your consciousness in that place behind your
eyes, allow your consciousness to move out of your body. Out through your
feet and down into the Earth. Allow your mind and your consciousness to
sink further down. Down so we can feel the currents of the Earth. The
flow of energy through the Earth. The flow of warmth, the flow of dark
power that moves and flows through the Earth. And when your mind has moved
down to that point so you can feel the Earth's energies, the Earth's powers,
moving, flowing freely, allow that energy to flow back up the channel
you've created. Back up into your body. Bring that Earth energy, that
warm flow of energy to fill your body. To fill your body and then overflow.
Allow it to move out through your hands, touching the person next to you.
And as it leaves their body it moves to the next and so it goes around
our circle. Feel as the energy flows up through the Earth and out and
around through the bodies of all those gathered here to worship tonight.
Feel it, as it grows stronger as it moves among the people here. We become
more joined as the energy flows through us. Around and around, around
and around."
"(Voice Two) And from our hands, to our hearts, to our mouths, to
our eyes it flows. Up to where our visions dance, to our minds, opened
and enlightened, and then out. Out to the path that is the path that stretches
between the Earth and the Moon and the stars and planets. That which is
the universe. That which breathes back and forth, back and forth. The
rhythm that echoes across time and space, the dance of life itself. And
let your mind and heart grow tree form. And stretch and grow tall, out,
out to where the stars dance. See the heavens ahead and around, behind
and in front of you. That which surrounds you and holds you. That which
explodes and rains down upon the Earth, light. Glistening through you,
softly, softly. That which nurtures and strengthen. Let that rain flow
down upon the Earth, upon this circle of joined spirits and let that energy
flow into your being. Flow and fill you being and then out again. Out
and around this circle and through all that are gathered here. A dance
that never ends. Never ends. Never ends. Be at peace with yourself and
with the others here tonight. Now, open your eyes and let your vision
return to your mortal eyes as our work continues."
9) Historical Precedent.
This section is when a little history of the holiday is given. The presiding
Druid usually does it.
"All flows in cycles. The cycle of history has evolved for us a religious
symbolism to acknowledge the seasonal cycle of the sun's apparent path
through the sky. The midsummer solstice is the time when, because of the
earth's tilt, the sun is at its peak of power and the day is the longest.
While it is natural and good to celebrate the sun's blessings at this
apex of summer, we also recognize that from this moment forward the light
and warmth will begin to wane in a never ending cycle which guarantees
its eventual return."
10) Naming the Deities of the Ritual -
Taranis (pronounced Tha-ran-ish) and Boann (pronounced Boo-an).
GOD "Taranis,
Thunder God,
Wheeled might,
Sky Father."
GODDESS "Boann,
White cow mother,
Strong flowing,
Mother of rivers and Gods."
In unison - "We acknowledge you."
11) Establishing the Vertical Axis. (Silver (Well) and Oil (Fire &
Tree) offerings)
Chant - Fire, Bright Fire (Words & music by Pandora) - MP3
Fire, bright fire
Gate to the Shinning Ones
Fire, bright Fire
Our passage to the Sky
Fire, bright Fire
Warmth of our Community
Spark of Life
We honor you now
Well, deep Well
Gate to the Underworld
Well, deep Well
Our passage to the Sea
Well, deep Well
Wisdom of the Ancestors
Waters of Life
We honor you now
Tree, great Tree
Gate that reaches everywhere
Tree, great Tree
With you we share the Land
Tree, great Tree
Passage to the Otherworld
Source of Life
We honor you now
12) Establishing the Boundaries. (Cornmeal (Land), Water (Sea) &
Incense (Sky) offerings)
First person pours corn meal around the outside of the sacred space saying,
"We ask that the Earth not open up and swallow us."
Second person sprinkles water around the outside of the sacred space
saying,
"We ask that the Seas not rise up and drown us."
Third person throws incense and flour into the fire saying,
"We ask that the Sky not fall down upon us."
13) Evoking the Gatekeeper. (Oil offering)
Chant - Manannan Song (Words by Carroll Burnham III, music by
Phoenix) - MP3
This chant is sung in two parts. Part A is sung by the majority of the
people and is composed of two lines that repeat as long as Part B is being
sung. Part B is sung by one or two strong singers and is sung over part
A. It is also more free form and can be embellished as the spirit moves
them.
Part A Manannan, we call to you.
Manannan, we call to you.
Part B Keeper of the hidden paths
we call upon you now
part the mist that hide the way
our passage to allow.
Help us reach the Shinning Ones
to help our wisdom grow
open up the gateways
let communication flow.
Manannan we call upon you
to open up the gate
Allow us to commune with them
whom our lives we dedicate.
"And now we call to Manannan. Oh Manannan, we ask you to come to
us tonight to be our guide between the worlds. We ask you to hold open
the ways for us and to lend your strength to mine as the gates are being
opened.
Manannan, once again I ask, let the fire open as a gate. And let the
well open as a gate. And let the tree open as the conduit between all
the worlds."
(Forcefully) "O Manannan, let the gates be opened!"
A MHANANNAIN, OSCLAÍTEAR NA GEATAÍ!
(awananan, oscleechar na gyatee)
(All repeat) "O Manannan, let the gates be opened!"
14) Acknowledgement of Outsiders. (Ale offering)
A cup of ale is taken to the south, outside of the ritual space, and given
to the outsiders after saying:
"And now, we call upon the ones that stood against our Gods. Those
who were here before our Gods. Those who were defeated by our Gods and
have become outsiders. To you Outsiders, we give this offering. An offering
of ale. We ask that you take this offering and accept it and trouble not
our working. Also for this time, we ask that we can set aside those parts
within ourselves that disturb our workings and our rites. The pettiness
and jealousy and other things within ourselves. We ask that for this time
they be set aside. Outsiders, to you we give this offering!"
15) Triad Invocations:
This chant is sung as all three Kindred invocations are being spoken softly
in the background and the offerings being given. The invocations should
be done during the corresponding verses.
Chant - Triad Chant (Words by Phoenix) - MP3
Ancestors, Spirit, Blood, one with the Earth
Call to us, and dream with us, teach us of our worth
Ay ya, Ay ya Oh
Ay ya, Ay ya Oh
Earth child, Wild one, born of the Earth
Call to us, and sing to us, creatures of the Earth
Ay ya, Ay ya Oh
Ay ya, Ay ya Oh
Shining one, wisdom filled, healers of the Earth
Call to us, and be with us, show us what we're worth
Ay ya, Ay ya Oh
Ay ya, Ay ya Oh
A) Ancestors. (Cornmeal offering)
The offering is sprinkled around the inside of the circle. An invocation
is spoken at this time by the person giving the offering.
"We give this offering to you Ancestors. We ask that you join with
us and accept the honor and love we give to you."
B) Nature Spirits. (Herbal mix offering)
The offering is sprinkled around the inside of the circle. An invocation
is spoken at this time by the person giving the offering, such as:
"We give this offering to you Spirits of this Place. We ask that
you join with us and accept the honor and love we give to you."
C) Gods/Goddesses. (Oil offering)
The offering is sprinkled around the inside of the circle. An invocation
is spoken at this time by the person giving the offering, such as:
"We give this offering to you Shinning Ones. We ask that you join
with us and accept the honor and love we give to you."
After the song and invocations are completed, the following is spoken.
(Forcefully) "Kindreds, be with us tonight!"
(All repeat) "Kindreds, be with us tonight!"
16) Invocation of Deities - Taranis and Boann. (Oil offerings)
This ritual was first done in 1999 when we were suffering through the
worst drought in many years. The ritual did work and we had rain the next
night. As each invocation is spoken, an offering of oil is poured to the
fire. Two people usually do this.
"We call upon you tonight, Great Thunderer. Taranis, we ask that
you bring the rains to make our crops grow. We have been in a time of
drought and our crops are calling for water! Taranis, we call to you to
come in your great-wheeled chariot that goes across the skies. We ask
that you bring your great hammer that makes the thunder. And most of all,
we ask that you bring the rains that we need."
"I invoke you, white cow woman. You are the mother, the beginning,
and the start of the River Boyne. That river that flows across the land.
Let that water, that river cascade, descend, and move, down upon us. Upon
our bodies, within our minds, and upon our land. You who stepped across
the boundaries, and who looked into the well at Sídh Nectán.
You who called forth that river, who let it follow you and to run its
course. You who gave yourself to that river, I invoke you Boann. The beginning
of the Boyne, let your river move, cascade and descend upon us. Boann,
I invoke you."
17) Praise Offerings.
Done through individual offers of song, poetry, story, dance, artwork,
etc.
18) Omen.
As the omen is being taken, the chant is softly sang in the background
and continues until the omen has been taken.
Chant - Come Druids All (Words by Sean Miller, music traditional
English.) - MP3
Come druids all, ovates and seers
And let your minds be still.
Earth, sea, and sky will lend no fears,
As the gods reveal their will.
Let every heart sing praise to them,
And all our works be skilled.
Claiming their blessings to the very end,
As the gods reveal their will.
After the omen is interpreted, people are given time to reflect upon
how the omen is relevant to their personal lives and the grove as a whole.
20) Return Flow
The return flow section is started by having three people, the Presiding
Druid and two members of the Folk of the Grove, hold up the hearthstone,
a large cup of water and a large horn of ale. The Presiding Druid then
calls for the return flow to begin.
"Close your eyes and let your inner vision look upwards. As we have
given our sacrifices of song, poems and praise to the Kindreds, now we
ask for them to return the blessings to us. We know that the blessings
will be returned magnified many times by their greatness. Above you, you
can see the crowd of watchers looking down with love. Is it your will
to receive the blessings of the Kindred?"
(People respond) "It is!"
Then the presiding Druid says:
(Forcefully) "Behold, the Waters of Life!"
"SEO AN USICE BEATH!"
(show un ishkuh byah)
(All repeat) "Behold, the Waters of Life!"
The cup of water and the horn of ale are then taken around and given to
the people. It is the custom in our Grove to give the first offering of
the return flow to the ground while saying:
"We give this first offering to those of the Folk and of the members
of the Grove that couldn't be with us tonight. May these blessing give
them the strength and nourishment to do what they need!"
If people want to make a toast of things they have done since the last
holiday, or make a boast of what they will do before the next holiday,
before they drink the blessing is the best time for it.
21) Thanking the Deities -Boann and Taranis. (Oil gifts)
As the parting is spoken, a gift of oil is poured into the fire.
"Boann, white cow woman, mother of rivers, we thank you for joining
with us. As this rite is ending, we give you this gift in parting, given
out of love, with nothing asked in return."
(Forcefully) "Boann, We thank you!"
"Boann, GO RAIBH MAITH AGAIT!"
(Boo-an, gora ma-agit)
(All repeat) "Boann, We thank you!"
As the parting is spoken, a gift of oil is poured into the fire.
"Taranis, great thunderer, bringer of the rains, we thank you for
joining with us. As this rite is ending, we give you this gift in parting,
given out of love, with nothing asked in return."
(Forcefully) "Taranis, We thank you!"
"Taranis, GO RAIBH MAITH AGAIT!"
(Tha-ran-ish, gora ma-agit)
(All repeat) "Taranis, We thank you!"
22) Thanking the Triads.
A) Gods/Goddesses. (Oil gift)
As the parting is spoken, a gift of oil is poured into the fire.
"Shinning Ones, we thank you for joining us in our ritual tonight.
As this rite is ending, we give you this gift in parting, given out of
love, with nothing asked in return."
(Forcefully) "Gods and Goddesses, We thank you!"
"NA DÉITHE, GO RAIBH MAITH AGAIBH!"
(Na Day-uh, gora ma-agiv)
(All repeat) "Gods and Goddesses, We thank you!"
B) Nature Spirits. (Oil gift)
As the parting is spoken, a gift of oil is poured into the fire.
"Spirits of this Place, we thank you for joining us in our ritual
tonight. As this rite is ending, we give you this gift in parting, given
out of love, with nothing asked in return."
(Forcefully) "Spirits of the Earth, We thank you!"
"SPRIDEANNA NA TALAIMH, GO RAIBH MAITH AGAIBH!"
(Shprih-dennuh nuh tulluv, gora ma-agiv)
(All repeat) "Spirits of the Earth, We thank you!"
C) Ancestors. (Oil gift)
As the parting is spoken, a gift of oil is poured into the fire.
"Ancestors, we thank you for joining us in our ritual tonight. As
this rite is ending, we give you this gift in parting, given out of love,
with nothing asked in return."
(Forcefully) "Ancestors, We thank you!"
"ÁR SINSIR, GO RAIBH MAITH AGAIBH!"
(Aur shinshur, gora ma-agiv)
(All repeat) "Ancestors, We thank you!"
23) Thanking the Gatekeeper and Closing the Gates. (Oil gift)
As the parting is spoken, a gift of oil is poured into the fire.
"Gatekeeper, great Manannan, we call upon you one last time during
this ritual. As our ritual comes to an end, we thank you for working with
us, for holding open the ways between.
"Manannan, once again we ask you, let the Well be again a well,
and let the Fire be again a fire, and let the Tree be again a tree."
(Forcefully) "O Manannan, let the gates be closed!"
"A MHANANNAIN, DUNTAR NA GAETAÍ!"
(awananan, doontur na gyatee)
(All repeat) "O Manannan, let the gates be closed!"
24) Reversing the Two Power Meditation
This meditation is reversed at the end of the ritual by having the people
allow the energies to move back to their source.
"(Voice Two) Close your eyes and look around you with the visions
behind your eyes. This sacred place is now filled with flows of energy,
with love and with the host of beings gathered here. All are visible when
you use your inner vision. As this ritual comes to a close, it is time
to let those energies that we brought in at the start, go back to where
they came from. Let those energies that came into you from above, from
the dance of the universe, go back to the Skies. As that energy moves
through you, keep what you need but let the rest go."
"(Voice One) And as those energies from the Skies go through you
and have gone, look around again to the energies from the Earth. Let those
energies move into and through you as they too go back to where they came
from. Keep all that you need to feel energized, relaxed and at peace.
Open your eyes and look around you at the other people here and at the
Nemeton itself. Be at peace with yourself and with the others here."
(Forcefully) "Biodh amhlaidh! Be it so!"
(bee awlah)
(All repeat) "Biodh amhlaidh! Be it so!"
25) Announcement of End.
Everyone comes together in a group hug as the chant is sung. This chant
is especially meaningful if everyone looks around the circle and into
people's eyes as it is sung.
Chant - Celtic Blessing (Author Unknown) - MP3
May the road rise with you,
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
May the rain fall softly on your fields
And until we meet again
May They hold you in the hollow of Their hands
Sometimes, when the mood strikes us, we also use the following parting:
"Merry Meet and Merry Greet
Lets finish ritual so we can eat!"
26) Recessional
As the chant is sung, people start to leave the ritual area.
Chant - Wondered As One (Words by Phoenix) - MP3
Look not back or right behind you
But to either side you'll find two
Friends holding on to a hand of yours
Walk with wisdom deep inside you
Let it move and let it guide you
Now we've welcomed, worshiped, wondered as one
Last updated - 4/6/04
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