Litha 2004
by Blayze

Setup
Air: 	Yellow lantern, Wooden Candlestick, Sword, Air Candle, Censer & Incense
Fire: 	Red Lantern, Wooden Candlestick, Spear, Fire Candle, Brazier
Water: 	Blue Lantern, Wooden Candlestick, Cauldron of Water, Water Candle, Brew makings
Earth: 	Green Lantern, Wooden Candlestick, Shield, Earth Candle, broom materials

Red and Yellow Ribbons for the dance.

In the centre of the circle is an altar containing the Sun Mirror (and copper table top) and two copper lanterns.

Before the circle is cast - all participants to make a broom. Brazier is lit and heats up whilst this is happening. Cauldron is heated also.

Making The Broom
Materials
Staff of Ash, 
Twigs of Birch, 
Binding of Willow
For decoration 
Oak
Holly
Broom
Thyme

When broom is made it is used to sweep around the circle.

HPS:	Our sacred spaced is cleansed. I call upon the Quarter Guardians to light their flames.

Fire Q lights candle at brazier and takes it around the circle saying:

Fire: 	May Midsummer Blessings be on the realm of Fire.

Place candle in holder.

Water Q lights candle at brazier and takes it around the circle saying:

Water: 	May Midsummer Blessings be on the realm of Water.

Place candle in holder.

Earth Q lights candle at brazier and takes it around the circle saying:

Earth:	 May Midsummer Blessings be on the realm of Earth.

Place candle in holder.

Air Q lights candle at brazier and takes it around the circle saying:

Air: 	May Midsummer Blessings be on the realm of Air.

Place candle in holder.

When all of the candles are lit - circle is cast.

HPS:	By the Blade a circle born, between the worlds a boundary formed, by the powers raised herein to guard without and hold within, be this circle cast!

Quarters are called using the 4 great weapons.

Air: 	Sword of Knowledge! May the Powers of the East grant us the Wisdom to wield thee. Powers of Air we ask you to guard us and protect us this night.

Fire:	Spear of Flame! May the Powers of the North grant us the passion to weild thee. Powers of Fire we ask you to guard us and protect us this night.

Water:	Cauldron of Mystery! May the Powers of the West grant us the means to fill thee. Powers of Water we ask you to guard us and protect us this night.

Earth: 	Shield of Protection! May the Powers of the South grant us the strength to hold thee. Powers of Earth we ask you to guard us and protect us this night.

All to perform Central Invokation.

Witches Rune

HPS:	Welcome to Midsummer. We celebrate the longest day and the height of the Sun's power. In honour of this we will make a Midsummer Brew filled with the herbs of the Fae and herbs of second sight.  We will drink and dance to find the seer within us that the Mystery of Midsummer be made real.

Brew Making
All to make a brew by tying up herbs in bunches and steeping them in cauldron over the brazier whilst chanting:

	Apple, Thyme, Honey and Bay 
We stir thee up on Midsummers Day
Apple, Thyme, Honey and Bay
Lend us your power to dance with the Fae

Cup is filled from the cauldron and passed around for all to drink.

HPS: 	Let the dancing begin!

All to form a circle. Loop ribbons to form a sun-wheel over the mirror. They dance singing:

	Midsummer's day and we have come
to dance for joy and for the sun
our King is high our King is tall 
our King strong but he must fall
but we have come to dance today
and not to cry for Sun's decay
and we will keep on dancing till we cannot dance no more.

(Chorus) 
we're dancing for the sun
we're dancing for the sun
and we will keep on dancing till the light is overcome.

Repeat the chorus until power has built.

All to drop to the ground (and sit) still holding tight to the ribbons. 

Seer begins to speak...

Seer: 	Look into the mirror. Look into the mirror through the rays of the sun.

I will tell you a story... a story of a land that lies...

(Story to end with ley lines and ribbons.)

Allow everyone to come back slowly. Lay their ribbons across the mirror and stand up.

Seer:	Let us toast the King who has fought so bravely and blessed the Land with His light.

Seer to pour out horn of mead for all to share.

Each person to make a Midsummer toast / blessing.

When everyone has toasted... cakes are passed around.

Quarters are farewelled.

Air: 	By the Sword of Knowledge, we thank the Powers of Air for being with us this night. Hail and Farewell.

Fire:	By the Spear of Flame, we thank the Powers of Fire for being with us this night. Hail and Farewell.

Water:	By the Cauldron of Mystery,  we thank the Powers of Water for being with us this night. Hail and Farewell.

Earth: 	By the Shield of Protection,  we thank the Powers of Earth for being with us this night. Hail and Farewell.

Dryghton prayer

Close circle and FEAST!