Midsummer 2000
by Adrianne

Props		
Wicker man
Litha cord
Slips of paper
Pencils (coloured and plain)
Cord for tying paper
Masks of the Holly and Oak Kings
Elemental Symbols			

Cast
HPS
4 quarters (air quarter is HPS)
Holly King
Oak King

Everyone forms a line and proceeds to walk through a gateway to form a circle.

HPS takes up the symbol of air from the altar and raises it to the east, she silently calls in the element of air. She then hands the symbol to the person on her right and so on till the element has been passed around the circle.

While this is happening, the following song is sung by all quietly in the background

	Air I am,
Fire I am,
Water, Earth and Spirit I am

HPS takes up the symbol of fire and passes it to her right. When the symbol reaches the north, the element is silently called in, the element continues to be passed around the circle.

HPS takes up the symbol of water and passes it to her right. When the symbol reaches the west, the element is silently called in, the element continues to be passed around the circle.

HPS takes up the symbol of earth and passes it to her right. When the symbol reaches the south, the element is silently called in, the element continues to be passed around the circle.

HPS:	The circle is cast, blessed be!

(everyone sits)

HPS:	Litha is a time when the sun is at his peak, when the power of the God is strong. Yet, as the sun sets, so does his power.

Take this slip of paper,
Write upon it all your cares,
That you wish to leave behind you,…..

Everyone spends a short amount of time writing or drawing symbols to represent that which they wish to leave behind, when ready the slips of paper are tied to the wicker man (who represents the God).

Anything from the Circle altar that needs to be released for the year should also be tied to the wicker man.

Take the Litha cord and bind the wicker man. All to chant.

	As the wheel must turn,
Our hearts desires burn,
We must let go to learn…..

Light the wicker man.

As the wicker man burns, the battle of the Holly and Oak king will be re-enacted in front of the fire.

When the fight has ended, and the wicker man has ceased to burn, the ritual has ended.

Close Circle
Cakes and ale

The quarters are silently released.

HPS:	The circle is open, yet unbroken, may the peace of the Goddess be ever in our hearts, merry meet, merry part and merry meet again.