Litha 2000 Section 4

SECTION IV - ONLINE RESOURCES

Planetary Ritual for Summer Solstice: June 20th, 2000
©1999 Sarolta DeFaltay-Bell

"Every planetary alignment holds an opportunity for growth and expanded awareness, and contains symbolism that can be universally shared and understood. By meditating on current planetary themes, we can tune in to the archetypal energy inherent therein, gaining a deeper understanding of our own personal myth , integrating the planetary energies experientially through personalized ritual."

The holiday of Midsummer (also known as "Litha") marks the height of the waxing season; a time of peak fertility, when the Sun is honored with three days of joyous celebration!

This is the year's longest day; the Sun enters the nurturing sign of Cancer, and the season of harvest begins. We are now in the 'Full Moon' phase of the year, when the waxing energies and magical potency are at peak intensity. Weddings, marriage proposals and baby blessings are lucky now, as are rituals of unity among families and communities.

The cauldron is central to the rituals of Midsummer, representing the womb of the Great Cosmic Mother, the Cauldron of Regeneration symbolizing reincarnation within the womb of the Goddess. The season of sowing is at an end, and the blessed harvest begins! As we celebrate the Sun in all its glory and bask in the solar energy, we can give thanks to the abundance of nature, and pray for a bountiful harvest for all Mother Earth's communities. The waning year begins today, and so we must honor once again the descent into the dark mysteries of regeneration and rebirth.

The astrological charts of the Solstices and Equinoxes have been read by astrologers since ancient times for news of the upcoming season, especially as it pertains to the well-being of nations, their leaders, and the condition of the people. Ingress charts (as they are called) are drawn for the exact moment the Sun enters one of the four cardinal signs: Capricorn, Aries, Cancer and Libra (Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn). Cardinal energy is initiating, and an excellent time for magickal workings, as practitioners of seasonal rituals have known for a long, long time.

Midsummer Herbal Lore

Cedar: Consecration, longevity (Fire)
Chamomile: Determination, loyalty; use in ritual bath, cup, or incense. (Fire)
Chickweed: Love herb, worn or imbibed to attract or enhance love.
Elder: (Flowers) Clairvoyance, magic, divination. To contact devas and faeries, use in ritual cup. (Venus, Air)
Fennel: Confidence, courage, fertility. Use in cooking to protect all who imbibe.
Frankincense: All purpose solar incense, for consecration, spirituality and success.
Heather: Brings one in touch with inner beauty and divinity; dip a sprig in consecrated water and sprinkle around temple space to purify.
Holly: Represents the Waning half of the year, which begins at Midsummer.
Larkspur: (Delphinium) Flowers on altar symbolize generous, altruistic leadership.
Lavender: Love, harmony, domestic tranquility, and mental clarity.
Meadowsweet: Good luck, domestic tranquility, harmony. (Jupiter, Fire)
Mugwort: Magic, longevity, clairvoyance, psychic empowerment.
Oak: Represents the Waxing half of the year, which ends at Midsummer.
Rose: Love, compassion, beauty; an aphrodisiac attributed to Venus.
St. John's Wort: Courage, confidence, magic, success. (Sun, Fire)
Vervain: love, magic, aphrodisiac, consecration. (Earth, Venus)

These herbs can be utilized in ritual by making an incense, or annointing candles with essential oil. They can be sewn into a charm bag and consecrated (dedicated to a single purpose), and worn or carried when needed.

Ritual Bath: Fennel, Heather, Lavender, Mugwort, Rose petals.

Place any or all herbs in cheesecloth and tie well; run under tap. You can also make a strong tea from the herbs: bring pure water to a boil, and allow to cool a few minutes before pouring over herbs; strain into bath.

Light 2 gold candles, one representing the Waxing year (surround it with Oak leaves) and the other the Waning year (surround it with Holly leaves). As you pour the herbs over your body, imagine yourself purified by an aura of golden light. Meditate on the symbolism of the Waxing year: as it dies at its height, the dark cycle is born, reminding us that within the light there is dark, and within the dark there is light. Think about what has been planted, and what remains to be gathered, distributed and assimilated, and how the symbolism pertains to your personal creative cycles. Affirm your determination to do all in your power to assure a plentiful harvest in harmony with all of nature.

The Altar: Place the altar in the South, the direction representing Summer, the Sun at High Noon, and the element of Fire. Decorate your altar and home with Roses of many colors, Delphinium or Heather. Bring the gold candles to your altar, and place a cauldron (or large bowl) filled with water on the altar, and place some flowers in the cauldron as well.

You will need three candles: silver, green and aqua .

Ritual: Cast the circle by visualizing white light encircling you in a clockwise motion. Honor and invite the four elements into your circle: East for Air, South for Fire, West for Water, and North for Earth. This Solstice corresponds to the ripened energies of the Mother Goddess (Isis, Ceres, Demeter, Ishtar, Innana) and can be honored with thanks and offerings at this time of the year.

Incense: Cedar, Cinquefoil, Frankincense, Lavender (flowers or oil), Mugwort, Oak Bark, Rose petals or oil.

Bring any or all of the above ingredients into your ritual circle and add each ingredient one at a time, while grinding by hand with a mortar and pestle and focusing on the properties of each herb as it is added. Consecrate your incense by dedicating it to the Mother aspect of the Triple Goddess, and once the incense is prepared, burn some on a charcoal as you focus in on your ritual.

Candles: The silver candle represents the Moon/Neptune conjunction in Aquarius. Visualize yourself accessing deeper parts of your own subconscious, and affirm accessing new channels of inspiration that lie within, to bring you creative flow.

1.Write down how you'd like to see this accomplished, or what your wish may be, and place the slip of paper under the candle.
2. Light your candle as you say your goal aloud, or meditate on its meaning.

Repeat with the following: The green candle represents the sign of Cancer, bringing nurturance and caregiving to yourself and your surroundings. (repeat steps 1&2)

The aqua candle represents the Neptune/Moon conjunction. How can you be more giving to others, sharing in the abundance of the Earth Mother? (repeat steps 1&2)

Spend some time meditating on the themes of your ritual, and when you feel the ritual is complete, thank the Mother Goddess, and burn each paper as you focus once again on the intention of the goal, releasing the energy to the wind and elemental helpers.

Thank the nature spirits, deities or elementals, and close your circle, allowing the candles to burn all the way down, or instead, burn them for a little while for the next few days, letting them burn all the way down on the third day. Blessed Be.

©1999 Sarolta DeFaltay-Bell

This article is an excerpt from the book: "The Magical Astrology Guide for the Year 2000" by Sarolta DeFaltay-Bell. Sarolta is an astrologer and tarot consultant, and works with clients to create personal rituals based on individual needs and astrological cycles.

-FAQ's-

(Questions sent by subscribers to the Moonspells Newsletter for Sarolta)

Should certain types of candles be used in the magic circle? If so, what kind and any idea where they could be purchased?

I like to use the glass encased candles (called 7-day candles) since they are large, and unlikely to tip over. I use one for each direction, and re-use them whenever I cast a circle. They can be found at BOTANICAS (Latin herb/magic shops) here in Chicago... but you can use any kind of candles that are available if you can't get these. We'll soon be offering supplies on our site as soon a we get e-commerce going!

I was told by two different people last year (in person), one an astrologer, the other, a psychic, that a woman has placed an evil curse on me which will prevent me from love, happiness, and wealth in my life. I was told she paid a lot of money to do this and it was done by someone very old and wise from another country. Is this a possibility? Right now, it sure seems like it. If so, can this curse be removed? I am a very positive person, but the last year has been so sad and difficult for me. I would appreciate any input or direction you might suggest on this.

First off, did these so-called spiritual practitioners tell you they could take the curse off for a fee? This is the oldest scam in the book, and it gives legitimate practitioners a bad name.

If you believe you are cursed, then you'll eventually create it by your own fears. Sometimes the negative thoughts of others can negatively affect others... so I'd recommend spiritual cleansing practices and building psychic shields.

A good book I'd recommend: Psychic Self-Defense and Well-Being- by Denning & Phillips (Llewellyn Publishing)

Someone "wise" would never put a curse on someone, since magical practitioners believe that whatever you do, for good or ill, will return to you threefold, so why would they do it? Those that do are power hungry, and not working within the true laws of the universe. Many eventually go insane from their own delusions of power.

Unfortunately, anyone can CALL themselves an "astrologer". Try to go to someone who is certified by a reputable organization such as NCGR or AFA, or call your local Metaphysical bookstore to get a recommendation.

©2000 Sarolta DeFaltay-Bell
ladysarolta@yahoo.com

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Sarolta is an astrologer and tarot consultant, and works with clients to create personal rituals based on individual needs and astrological cycles. She also writes Daily Horoscopes and New Moon Magic for every sign at http://www.i.am/deepskies ... call 773.227.1066 for more information.
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