Midsummer 2009
By Gill

A cauldron next to the altar is  filled with water and jasmine flowers. The altar in the North is covered with summer flowers and items of summer (a bowl of beach sand, shells etc). Morris dancers stand along the edge of the circle.

Group enters the circle area. Cast the circle.

HPS: 	The sun is at its height and light fills the land. The birds sing among the trees and the cicadas’ call hails that the summer is here.

SOLO DANCE 

HP: 	We feast and celebrate the summer days. We enjoy the sweet orange, the watermelon and the sweet relief of a cold cider after a long day working.

HPS: 	But even as we celebrate the light and warmth of the summer day, the tide turns again and the light slowly shortens, the heat holds and then breaks. 

HP: 	As we reach the height of summer, the rhythm once again changes and the Oak King dances with the Holly King.

HPS:	Power of the Sun we invoke thee. Let the mighty trees spread their branches under thy radiant light. Come again as of old into the land. Lift up thy shining spear to protect us. Put flight to the darkness until it is time. Share with us the fruit of summer, the blossoming orchards, the ripening corn.

Enter the Oak King with the cord and Spear. He circles around the Cauldron widdershins.

OAK KING: 	Fire and Air. Summer is mine. The maid is to mother in my sunshine.
		I am the fire that lights the sky. I am the air that blows dry.
		I am he who walks the path. And soon shall travel past.

Enter the Holly King. He circles the cauldron deosil.

HOLLY KING: The summer is waning. It passes into time. The fire and air will soon be mine.
		I am the light released into the welcome of night.
		I am he who faces the darkness and finds within the light.

SECOND DANCE - FIGHT

Oak King and Holly King stand in the centre facing each other. The Holly King grabs the loose end of the cord. The Oak King maintains his grip on the other end.

OAK KING:	 I am the light that brings abundance. (pulls the cord)

HOLLY KING: I am the light that builds strength. (pulls the cord)

OAK KING: 	I am the light that shares joy. (pulls the cord)

HOLLY KING: I am the light that illuminates the mind. (pulls the cord, OK loses his grip)

OAK KING: 	I am the light that wanes but will be reborn.

HOLLY KING: For I will be master until that light returns.

Oak King then bows to the Holly King and ceremoniously hands the Spear to Holly King. Oak King circles deosil. 

OAK KING: 	To you my children I give my blessings and leave you words to ponder through both good and bad times. (quietly) Always remember this too will end.

Oak King leaves the circle.

Holly King stands tall with the cord and Spear and walks slowly widdershins around the circle. He stops at the HPS who ties the end of the cord to the Spear haft. As the Holly walks the circle each person loops the cord once around the haft. When he reaches the HP, the HP ties off the cord.

HOLLY KING: 	My time is soon to come. Take the light of this day into your heart and together we will grow it.

Holly King moves to the cauldron and plunges the Spear into it.

HOLLY KING:	The spear to the cauldron, the lace to the grail, spirit to flesh, man to woman, sun to earth.

Holly King waits a moment for the power to enter the cauldron and then leaves the circle.

HPS goes to the altar and takes up the branch of jasmine, she dips the jasmine branch into the cauldron and walks around the circle and sprinkles water onto the group.

HPS: 		Dance about the cauldron of Cerridwen the Goddess, and be blessed with the touch of this consecrated water, even as the sun, the Lord of Life, slowly wanes.

FINAL DANCE 

HP: 		Mighty Sun, lie warm upon your land, drawing forth peace and beauty. As your fiery chariot recedes into the mists of the otherworld, let your blessing remain in the fires of our spirit. Blessed Be.

Close the circle.