Litha
LITHA also known as SUMMER SOLSTICE and ALBAN HERUIN

Date: South:- 21 Dec
North:- 21 June

PRIEST READS OUT AT 12 O'CLOCK MIDDAY: NOW STANDS THE SUN AT THE YEAR'S ZENITH AND LO THE TREE OF LIFE, THE TREE OF THE SUN IS CROWNED WITH GOLDEN BELLS AND FIERY SYMBOLS OF OUR LORD. THUS GIVE WE HONOUR TO OUR GOD, KING OF SEASONS, O TOWER OF LIGHT, TREE OF FIRE CROWNED IN FLAME, GOLDEN APPEX AND SUMMERS NAME.

(Rededication to the God and Goddess)

As each one enters a gold crown is placed on their heads and a gold ribbon is tied to their wrist. They then light a white candle and take their places in the circle.

Water rings bell 3 times.

Fire lights elemental candles.

Air lights incense.

Priest casts circle (all visualize blue flame around circle).

All dance deosil around the circle. Return to places.

Spokespersons for the elements do silent call to elements starting with air.

All: "Air, fire, water, earth we welcome you come in peace this Litha night."

Priest: "Green forest mother bless the circle and all within" (sprinkle all with water)

''Great one of earth, moon and stars spinner of fates, giver of wisdom protection and change we give you honour. Give us the key that will open the gate and keep us from harm."

Priestess: "Mighty sun God, God of fertility, courage and plenty bless this circle and all within." (sprinkle all with water) "Be here with us now lead us along our paths and keep us from harm. Lord of the green wood we give you honour. So mote it be."

All: "So mote it be."

Priest: "Beloved God and Goddess of a thousand names, known and unknown, we give you honour." (Dip finger in water and make a pentacle on each one's forehead) "the sun has reached the peak of his strength and after this day will dwindle. There is a feeling of sadness as we know the sun will gradually lose heat and brightness as the months pass. Once again the year has turned and the great wheel goes on. This is the eternal spiral of life."

All: "We serve the great Goddess and give reverence to the great Lord. May the old Gods witness our words."

Water rings bell 3 times

Water hands cards out.

Meditate on tarot card: chariot (no. 7)

Water: rings bell 3 times

Earth : Passes out cloth and red thread papers, pens, and herbs.

Each one writes down any bad habits they wish to change. Visualize a healing taking place in your life. Place herbs in cloth and tie with thread. Starting in the north, each one moves forward and burns paper in cauldron candle. (herb bags are carried for 7 days, then buried in the earth)

Air: "The Lord of the green wood has come to court the Lady fair.

Fire: In the heat of their passion shall the grain rise again."

Water: "He is the Lord of light, his radiance allows the fertilisation of all life.

Earth: "Let his love spread throughout the world."

1st guardian: "Together with the sun we must also know rain.

Together with joy we must also know pain.

2nd guardian: "He is life and death and life anew.

He is the Lord of light and growth.

We thank you Lord for the crops, for life,

For joy, for sorrow.

For so do we grow.

Help us to live with love and trust."

Each one moves forward, removes his/her crown and wrist band and hangs it on the tree

All: "Crowned in gold and wreathed in gold,

Crowned in joy and wreathed in joy."

Water: rings bell 3 times

Cakes and ale

Priest: "We give thanks to all those present,

We give thanks for the richness and goodness of life,

We give thanks to the ancient ones, may they go in power."

Priestess: Holds up cakes

"Blessed be to all within this circle may they go in power."

1st guardian: "Farewell Lord and Lady for this rite is done."

2nd guardian: "Merry meet and merry part and merry meet again."

Put out candles.

All dance widdershins around the circle.

Take offering outside. Light ritual fire.

All should leap over the fire for purification, health, love and fertility.

Feast begins (this is normally held outside).

Summer sun which shines upon us, soft warm breezes as they blow, meadows ripe with scented flowers, field, copse and hedgerow.

The winds of summer lick our bodies.

Sunlight heals our frozen hearts.

May the Goddess remind of summers lightness in the dark.

Honour to our Lord and Lady, we raise our glasses with happy cheer.

Those attending this rite must bring their tarot cards, a white candle, gold ribbon to tie on their wrist & around their heads. They should bring white flowers & pine or cypress, oak, St. John's wort.

Dress: white. They should also bring some thing to eat & drink.

Festival Foods are: braai meat. Curries, all vegetables in season, all types of salads. Garlic bread, all fruit & nuts, all dairy products. Cakes & puddings:

Honey cakes, fruit cakes, nut, cookies, coconut cakes & biscuits, chocolate biscuits, trifle, jellies, fruit puddings.

Drinks: ale, ciders, fruit wine, punch, herb teas, fruit juice, milkshakes.