Midsummer 
by Richard

Roles:
HPS 
Priestess of the Sun 
Lord Of Summer 
Lord Of Winter 
Quarters
Earth 
Air 
Fire 
Water 

Altar is set in the North. There is a Sun Gate decorated with Gold and flame colours in the North East. A basket of sunflowers sits by the altar ready for the children to distribute.

Pre- Ritual:
All to make embossed rounds of copper or brass. These are sun symbols and will be presented as gifts/offerings to the Lord of Summer. A hole is punched in the top and the tokens are threaded onto ribbon so that each person can wear their token during the first part of the ritual.

All enter circle to “Midsummer's Day” played upon the harp. They walk under the Sun Gate.

Circle Cast

Quarters

Air call
I call on the winds that bring knowledge and understanding. I call upon the breezes that cool us and bring tidings from afar, guard us on this midsummers day

Fire call
I call upon the fires that bring renewal and transformation. I call upon the flames that warm our blood and illuminate our way along the path, guard us on this midsummers day

Earth call 
I call upon the earth that brings strength and growth. I call upon the land that provides our food and the trees that give us shelter, guard us on this midsummer's day.

Water call
I call upon the water that brings cleansing and healing. I call upon the rains that cool us and the rivers that quench our thirst, guard us on this midsummer's day.

Central invocation

HPS: We are here today to celebrate Midsummer. The Sun is at the height of His power and now is a time of gladness. Before we call upon the Lord of the Sun to help us celebrate this day, we will first bring ourselves into balance with the elements.

HPS takes up brass jug filled with scented Chammomile water.

HPS: Cup your hands before you. Now feel your connection to the earth through you feet. As I pour the water into your hands blow across it. Raise your hands up to the sun and feel all the elements that are within your and about you, come into balance.

(HPS walks the circle pouring water into each persons hands.)

HPS: Air, Fire, Water, Earth. Within spirit, within balance, within harmony! 

She returns to the centre.

HPS: We are now in balance and harmony with the world around us and so we call to the Lord of the Sun. 

Priestess of the Sun steps forward.

Sun Priestess:  We call upon the lord of the summer breeze. 

All: We call upon the lord of the summer breeze. 

Sun Priestess: We call upon the Lord of the Sun's height.

All: We call upon the Lord of the Sun's height.

Sun Priestess: We call upon of the Lord of the green and growing earth.

All: We call upon of the Lord of the green and growing earth.

Sun Priestess: We call upon the Lord of the clear flowing waters

All: We call upon the Lord of the clear flowing waters

Sun Priestess: WE CALL UPON OUR KING!

All: WE CALL UPON OUR KING!

The Lord Of The Sun comes forward through the Sun gate.

Lord of the Sun: When I awoke this morning I saw the red sun rise. I saw the green world growing and felt the power that is life. I have traveled across the plains to this place made sacred and I bring to you the gift of my flame at Midsummer.

HPS: Lord and King, we have been balanced in the elements and now each of the elements has a a gift for you.

Sun Priestess: I call upon the guardian of Air

Air:		I bring to you this crown of wisdom and knowledge

Sun Priestess: I call upon the guardian of Fire 

Fire :		I bring to  you the spear of fire so that you may defend your people 

Sun Priestess: I call upon the guardian of Earth

Earth:	 I bring to you this shield of strength and protection

Sun Priestess: I call upon the guardian of Waters

Water:	I bring you this cauldron from which healing and cleansing flow

Sun Priestess: And for the gift of spirit, my king, each one here has made for you a token which bears there gift to you. Will you receive these tokens my lord? 

Lord Of Summer: I will receive them gladly.

The king walks the circle receiving the gifts from each person and giving them the blessing of midsummer.

Each token will go into a small bag that the king will wear around his neck

When the King stands in front of the presumptive Winter King he stops.

Winter King: I bring one more gift for you 

Lord Of Summer: My brother, what gift do you bring on this most glad of days?

Winter King:
I bring the gift of foresight. You are our king and I acknowledge you my lord, but I also remind you that soon I will be king. It is your duty to prepare for my coming. I will take your spear as a token of my lordship to come. 

The king hands the spear over 

Lord Of Summer: 
Very well. In honour of seasons to come, I will gift to you my spear. However, your sovereignty is not yet won. Leave here now so that only your shadow remains. I give you your token, but today is a day of the green and growing world, today is my day and today is not the day that I will be over thrown.

The Winter King takes the spear and departs through the Sun Gate, leaving his cloak behind.

Lord Of Summer: Let all here sing dance and feast, let all enjoy this mid summer 

All sing Midsummer Song

Cakes and Ale

King is given first sip and first cake.

When all have eaten and drunk, the King bids everyone farewell and leaves through the Sun gate. 

Lord Of Summer: We have gathered here as friends and in brotherhood. Enjoy this time of light and warmth, I bid you farewell to feast and drink in my name.

Children are given sunflowers to hand to each person in the circle.

Farewell Quarters

Air call
I thank  the winds of knowledge and understanding for guarding us on this midsummers day. Hail and Farewell.

Fire call
I thank the fires of renewal and transformation for guarding us on this midsummers day. Hail and Farwell.

Earth call 
I thank the earth of strength and growth for guarding us on this midsummers day. Hail and Farewell.

Water call
I thank the water of cleansing and healing for guarding us on this midsummers day. Hail and Farewell.

Close circle.