Litha - §ummer §olstice

[papillon]

Glitterfairy and I started another thread where we have been looking at all things wiccan etc and we are interested in finding out more about the Summer Solstice.

Anyone willing to talk about what they do to mark MidSummer, any good ideas to mark the occasion as a family affair etc?

Thanks and Blessed Be

[Snugs]

(Note to self - read all threads before posting to save repeating yourself )

The sites Papillion has linked give you a pretty good idea of what is behind the festival. As to how to celebrate (or when) ? there are so many pagan 'varieties' out there, all with their own ideas. Even within Wicca it might depend if you are coven based or practice as a solitary. (Not helping much am I)

As a solitary, my rituals and celebrations are all very personal ? and involve casting circles and rising to a higher plane ? so can be a bit difficult to explain.

Ask me any questions you want and I will do my best to answer ? that is probably the easiest way.

[papillon]

Any advice is great - thanks Snugs

When you cast a circle, what do you mean by rising to a higher plane? Is this an internal sensation or a mental image?

I have always considered myself to be a green witch and am quite interested in gathering herbs on this solstice. Have you ever done this?

[Snugs]

Many witches visualise the circle in their minds, others feel it as a physical charge in the air - like static electricity. Some meditate or use visualisation techniques.

I am lucky in that I have, for many years, been able to astral project (astral travel). When I cast a circle it starts as a relaxation, meditation, visualisation routine. When the circle is cast is like an intense rush of power that goes through me like an electrical charge ? it doesn?t hurt but it is powerful. Then I rise to the astral plane (VERY difficult to explain if you have never experienced it)

When I gather my herbs depends on the phase of the moon. Last year I gathered certain herbs for my ritual on the morning of the solstice, but this year I will have to gather them a couple of days before.

[glitterfairy]

How do you cast a circle Snugs? What herbs do you gather? Sorry I really am a complete novice.

[Fairyfly]

Go up Carlton Hill in Edinburgh for the Pagan festivities, it is fabulous

[papillon]

last year was cancelled due to dry weather - 15,000 people have gone b4!!!

[Snugs]

Don't worry glitterfairy, ask away. I find it easier to answer direct questions, rather than just spilling out tons of overwhelming information

The herbs will depend on what I am doing.
Generally everything has an association - colours, crystals, herbs, candles, incense etc will be chosen from a list of correspondences. You can get lists from web sites or books, but it is really best to make your own as the associations should be meaningful to you.

How do you cast a circle ? oh, hard question! This is something that is as individual as the person. I can vaguely outline what I do, but many factors change each time, again depending on what I am doing. Feel free to improvise. Above all, you must feel comfortable with what you are doing.

I usually cast circles in my sacred area ? a part of my garden set aside with an alter and fire pit. My alter will be laid out with appropriate candles etc. If outside, I sweep (walking anticlockwise) and ritually cleanse my sacred space. Then I sit down near my fire and prepare by protecting myself (I have posted this description before - breath deeply and calmly. Imagine a bright, glowing light above your head. It can be any colour you like but choose one that makes you feel calm and at peace. Gradually 'see' the light coming down over your head, shoulders etc. Eventually the light will encompass you completely, as if you are in a bubble. Believe that nothing can penetrate the bubble that you do not desire to enter. Any negativity will bounce from it's surface) I ask my spiritual guides to be with me and protect me.
The actual casting of the circle is an extension of this light. I sense the light growing and encircling my sacred space. Sometimes I can feel it spiralling upwards, as if reaching to the sky like smoke. It is like a dome of energy, which encompasses me in my own little world.

If it makes visualising the circle any easier, you can draw it with salt or chalk (cast in a clockwise direction). Or simply try imagining a circle of light in your mind. You can try repeating a chant or mantra if that helps.

I then go one to call my quarters and guardians ? but that?s too much info for a novice ? and do any magical or sacred workings. Closing the circle is basically a reversal of the process as I ground myself and thank any spiritual guides who have been with me.

And that was the edited version ???

[papillon]

That sounds great Snugs and quite complex! I would love to have a sacred space in my garden, but have to make do with 3 small balconies!

I practised the Craft alot in the mid 1990´s but then started to feel like I really needed to cleanse my witchy space. I think I was not respecting spiritual laws and did not understand the energy that I was able to manifest. I performed circles and rituals for others which had good outcomes, but for my self things seemed to reflect badly. In fact, I throw out alot of my books, tarot deck because it really felt as though bad energy had come and settled there and I needed to rejuvenate and align myself and higher aspects.
But this did not mean I revoked the Craft, but that I needed some time to learn and reassess the situation. I feel now that I have a much greater understanding of spirituality and energy, but still I think once burnt, twice shy. I would like to work again with magick, but am abit tentative should the energy patterns go awry once again.

I have been looking at the websites I posted, but really appreciate hearing what you do

You say this year you will have to collect your herbs early - is this due to the moon phase? And do you do all this alone, or do your kids get involved at all with Sabbats?

[Snugs]

Good morning Papillion.

I generally refer to a witches almanac or calendar to check my gathering days. I don't always stick to them - sometimes the mood just strikes me so I act on instinct and collect what I feel. For Sabbats I can obviously plan and check in advance when I should be doing things.

I don't involve the kids - mainly because I do most of my workings at night. Plus I don't want to force feed them my beliefs, so I will wait until (or if) they show an interest.

I don't do much for myself (won't work for self-gain) so any actual spell casting is only done for the benefit of others. Worship on the other hand, at the Sabbats and full moons, is purely between me and My Lady.

Have more confidence in yourself. You say it worked fine before when you were doing it for others. You could maybe try spending some time just communing with whichever higher source (Gaia, Jesus, Allah ? whoever!) you place your trust in, without actually trying to do any magik.

It is vitally important that you have some tangible link to that higher source if you are to do any sort of magikal work. You must draw power to use power, or else it is you who will be drained.

[papillon]

Good morning Snugs

Have been reading this morning - have joined an online witch school that provides online basic courses for free. Reading at the moment about spell casting. Reading and taking my time with things will help me regain my confidence and for me to find my higher mentor, Gaia for the green witch!

[papillon]

Rather - Before You Cast a Spell and Understanding the Power of Magic

[Snugs]

The school looks interesting. I have only glanced briefly at the pages - and I must admit there a couple of things I have a few concerns about.
The fact that they call themselves a church and use labels like High Priest(ess) etc is not to my liking (but that is just personal choice) as for me there should be no hierarchy within Wicca (or Paganism of any path). And the repetitive use of the word 'tradition' ? how can you claim tradition in some thing so new? Paganism may be as old as the world itself, but this church isn?t ? even using the term Wiccan is a relatively new thing. I personally use it as it is an easy way to explain my faith, but it is a bit of a cop-out really and I shudder each time I say it .
I notice they also have a section on clothing and tools. I haven?t looked at any prices so may be speaking out of turn ? but please don?t be sucked into paying too much. Tools are nice to have ? but aren?t necessary ? and are best ?acquired?. I either make them myself or find that they somehow come to me ? as gifts or absolute bargains, I just have to be in the right place at the right time. That way I know they are a gift from My Lady and not just a pretty bauble created in a factory somewhere.
I can recommend an excellent book ? A Witch Alone, by Marian Green. You can work through it over a period of months. I have had a copy for years, but I still dip back into it from time to time.

[papillon]

Glad that you feel that way Snugs. I am not into the Church organised vibe either.
I have been speed reading the information mostly. It is in the New Age category and is written in a sell you something format and is quite American. Worry thee not... am not buying nothing
Still it is good to read about what to consider before doing spells, which is my higher aim this time around. Not just act without consideration and respect.

Glitter was just asking me about the colours to use. I will look for some info on the web, but if you have any info that would be great to hear about.

[glitterfairy]

This is what is worrying me so will look for the book snugs as this seems a good suggestion. Also thanks for the information on the circle I feel totally out of my depth here but perhaps that is good.

[papillon]

Was just reading about using props such as candles, oils, incense etc. at the witch school...
The info states that it is best if the materials you are using are meaningful to you, i.e. Don?t just use supplies because you read about them in a book. "Take the time to understand what the color means, why you?re lighting a candle, and what all the big words in the chant mean, before you start the ritual. The more you understand what you?re doing, the more meaningful it is, and the more successful your magic will be."

Found this on the White Goddess site colours It also says that over time you will develop your own personal list.

That is good for me because while I want to study and learn more, I also really like using my intuition about what I am doing and using for ritual, spells etc.

[Snugs]

Oops, link doesn't seem to work Papillon.

I reckon the best thing to do is find a basic list (loads on sites and in books) and then adapt it slowly over time to suit yourself.

A good way is to use a single colour as a focus during a meditation. Afterwards, make notes of what feelings and emotions you felt. Then do the same with different crystals, or burning incense ? concentrating on the smell.

Another way is to do a blindfold test, if you can get a friend to help. Gather together various coloured cards (preferably same size, texture so you cant tell them apart), crystals etc. You must be feeling relaxed and calm. You are blindfold and your friend hands you random cards, or burns incense and wafts the smoke at you. They make notes on what you say for each one. Don?t try to do too many at a time ? 5 or 6 per session max ? and you can always repeat colours to see if you get the same results.

[Snugs]

White Goddess Colours

[papillon]

I have been focussing on some colours without friend or list to see what happens.

Seem to be quite attracted to fushia... had been feeling other colours and when I dwelled on this colour when lying down my body energy clicked ( I get this sensation abit... like cranial work but in other areas of the body) so am going to look and see now what that means on the list... well it doesn´t say realignment!!

[papillon]

I will order that book once pay day comes around again - the Marian Green book. I have heard of her before and recall looking at it before. Does it have a woodland setting with a house on the front cover?

WE are looking at property at the moment in NZ so it is good to thinking and reading about what we / I want before I go and intent into the situation. I have been focusing positively on us buying property though and not on the negative / difficult aspects - am aware of them though.

[Snugs]

Hiya papillon.

The copy I have is paperback, shades of blue, with 2 skeletal trees and a crescent moon on the front.

ISBN number (if it helps) is 0 00 713323 5

Don't go making me talking about NZ - I so want to go there. Don't know why, just have an urge.

[papillon]

to visit me when we go and live there of course!!
You and your family would be welcome anytime!

The place we are interested in at the moment is very close to the river and my parents
No house though so may have to erect a yurt until dh designs the house.

I was just thinking about the concept of God in Witch ethos... there seem to be so many out there and tbh I have never been much of a worshipper - perhaps my problem last time.. no adherence to one deity. I am into Gaia but not so much when I read about it... so many names and stories.. all interesting but not really grabbing me... I quite like reading Eyptian myths. I am into Gaia more from an earth perspective and link energy to a universal energy rather than a God. It has got me perplexed at the moment.

[Snugs]

So don't feel forced to commit to one deity. I effectively worship a pantheon.

Although I frequently refer to My Lady, I actual see her as having so many aspects that it is easier to give them different names.

So at Imbolc (Candlemass) I might honour Bride or Bridget; for matters of the heart I might speak to Venus or Aphrodite and for earthy, material needs I could call on Gaia herself. They are all one and the same, but seeing them in this way helps focus my mind.

The same goes for My Lord ? Oak Lord, Holly Lord, Bran, Lugh etc etc.

I?m rambling now ??

Thank you for the invite ?. You may come to regret it in some distant future year when you find me camping on your doorstep

[Snugs]

Sorry ? ramble continued ?.

For that matter ? don?t feel forced to worship a deity at all if you don?t feel comfortable with the concept of ?God?. The important thing is the energy. You must have a source of energy to recharge from or you will give too much of yourself.

Think of yourself more as a conductor, rather than as the battery itself. Plug into the source of power and let it feed through you.

If all else fails, worship 'The Great Energiser Bunny In The Sky'

[papillon]

Sounds good - but I might get acid flashback or burns

So that sounds reassuring to me... abit like reiki energy.. just tap into it. Also thinking out loud here doing that would bring any deities to me if they or me are so inclined!

I love visitors and so does my Mum so am not scared off at all by the thought of the Snug family on my doorstep

[Snugs]

Ha - you haven't met the kids