SPIRIT

Now discuss the nature of the Midsummer Sabbat. Midsummer, like all Sabbats, has many aspects -where you put your emphasis is up to you. In discussing the nature of Midsummer you might say something like:

"We come together at this time to honor the Sun at the height of His reign: the longest day of the year. Now the powers of life are at their strongest -for many months they have grown and now they prosper. BUT -from this time forward the days will grow shorter and the powers of life will begin to wane as the harvest comes and the world slips inexorably toward Winter. It is always so in life: that when a thing reaches the moment of its greatest perceived perfection, it then begins to change. The only constant in existence is change: life is growth and transformation. For we see in the handiwork of Goddess and of God, which is the world around us, that if perfection can be said to exist it must reside in motion, rather than permanence. Let us therefore reflect upon this and not become bound to a particular moment of imagined perfection but embrace and enjoy the journey which is life."

ACT OF POWER
INCENSE CIRCLE

For this ritual our Act of Power will be an Incense Circle. For this Act of Power you will need several types of powdered incense, and a censor to burn them in.

What you use for a censor depends in part on where you are: If you are out-of-doors you can use a small barbecue grill and barbecue charcoal, along with substantial quantities of the incense, used liberally -a handful at a time. The effect of this can be exceedingly dramatic and atmospheric. However if you are indoors this will not be desirable at all: instead use a small censor -a brass censor, metal cauldron, or heat resistant burning dish with one or more incense charcoals in it, and much smaller amounts of incense used sparingly -a pinch at a time. Be careful with the censor as you do not wish to have an accidental fire.

You should have at least three types of incense whose qualities pertain to different types of possible manifestations. For example you might use Cinnamon for manifestations which involve issues of prosperity: Rosemary for manifestations which involve issues of healing: and Anise for manifestations which involve spiritual issues. For outdoor use it can be nice to use incenses such as these which are also common cooking spices, since they are usually available in bulk, allowing liberal usage. Of course any of many other incenses with appropriate energies could be used as well.

Start the charcoal in the censor before the ritual begins so that it is good and hot by the time you are ready to use it. Have everyone form a circle around the censor and explain the process. You might say something like:

"At Midsummer the Sun is at the height of His power. The Sun is the Lord of the physical world, and of manifestation: that is the creation of a desired effect through magic. For this ritual we are going to work with manifestation through Fire and Air, the diurnal Elements associated with the God: as we go forward be thinking of something in your life which you wish to create or change -something you wish to manifest.

"Perhaps you wish to manifest prosperity into your life? Abundance: a better job or job situation: the success of some physical goal. We have Cinnamon here for that. For prosperity you will use that incense."

You might wish to indicate or hold up the Cinnamon at this time, so everyone knows exactly which it is.

"Or maybe you wish to manifest something regarding healing? An illness or blockage that needs cleared: releasing of things outgrown. For healing we have Rosemary Use that incense if you wish to heal something."

Indicate the Rosemary.

"Or maybe you wish to manifest something spiritually? Spiritual growth: psychic development: deeper understanding of something. For that we have Anise"

Indicate the Anise.

"We will go around the circle several times, so we will each have the chance to manifest several things. Think about those things you wish to manifest and have them clear in your mind. When it is your turn take some of the incense which most closely fits your goal, focus on what you wish to manifest, throw the incense on the coals, and say: 'Mine!' Then we will go on to the next person. Here: I will start us."

Demonstrate by focusing on your goal and tossing the appropriate incense onto the charcoal. As you do so cry "Mine!" Of course if you could just as easily use any other positive affirmation here that you might wish.

The person deosil to you will go next, and thence around the circle. Go around the circle as many times as you wish -in practice this will depend a lot on how many people are present. If there are many people in the circle you may only go around twice or three times, whereas if there are only a couple you may wish to do more. If there are too many people present, once may be enough. You want to give each person a chance to do it, but not to go so long that you begin to lose their interest.

A great deal of smoke will be generated, and the several incenses will release their competing scents, both of which effects will be very engaging to the senses. In addition, if you add Salt Peter or ground egg shells to your incense it will produce exciting sparks as it burns -but if you try this be careful not to add too much.

When everyone has had a chance to throw some incense on the fire, preferably several times, begin a chant. You might also want to join hands and dance around the barbecue/censor. A good chant for this might be:

"Mine! Mine! Mine! Mine!

"By my will and by my hand!
I call you to me where I stand!

"Mine! Mine! Mine! Mine!

As I will it you will be
I call you to me -Come to Me!

"Mine! Mine! Mine! Mine!

"By all the power of Three Times Three
As I do will, So Mote It Be!"


When you feel that this has gone on long enough, stop the chant and focus the energy. You might lead people in this way:

"Now let us focus the energy into the censor -imagine the energy rushing into the censor. See the censor glowing and shining with light! Imagine it like a Sun in the center of our circle, filled with energy and power. As you imagine the censor filled with light, think again about the things you have manifested. There is One Power in the Universe, and we are perfect manifestations of that Power -and as such let us in this moment manifest our will, with harm toward none, and release it into being -NOW! See the light grow brighter but smaller, brighter and smaller, smaller, until it is gone, released to bring our will to pass. So Mote It Be!"

ALL
"So Mote It Be!"

Now continue with the ritual.

WATER

For this ritual we are going to Bless the Chalice using the imagery of the Four Quarters.

Fill the Chalice with the desired beverage.

Have the four people who called the Quarters come forward and form a circle around the Chalice. Hold the Chalice between them and have each one put one hand on the Chalice. Have them Bless the Chalice along these lines:

East
“In the name of the East and the Element of Air may this Chalice be Blessed. May this Chalice and all who share in it be Blessed with insight and inspiration from the East!

South
“In the name of the South and the Element of Fire may this Chalice be Blessed. May this Chalice and all who share in it be Blessed with courage and passion from the South!”

West
“In the name of the West and the Element of Water may this Chalice be Blessed. May this Chalice and all who share in it be Blessed with empathy and compassion from the West!”

North
“In the name of the North and the Element of Earth may this Chalice be Blessed. May this Chalice and all who share in it be Blessed with wisdom and understanding from the North!”

Now pronounce a final Blessing upon the Chalice. Something to this effect:

“In the name of the Center and of Spirit, which is the origin and culmination of the Elements, may this Chalice be Blessed. Divine Mother Goddess, Divine Father God, join us in Blessing this Chalice: may it be a token of the bond of love between us, and of the bond of love between the Elements, the world of manifestation which the form, and ourselves. May the Blessing Be!”

Now imagine the Chalice filling with light. See it glowing and shining with energy, radiating out in all directions.

Let the Quarter callers now return to their positions. Give the Chalice first to the person who called the East: let the East drink, then let the Chalice be passed from person to person deosil around the Circle, each drinking in their turn.

You should go last, leaving some in the Chalice to be offered to Spirit.

Or if you prefer you can pass out paper cups, filling them from the Chalice, asking everyone to wait and drink together –saving one cup for Spirit. In this case you may wish to offer a toast, such as:

“To the Lady! To the Lord! To us!”

ALL
“To the Lady! To the Lord! To us!

Now give thanks.