Litha, the Summer Solstice Ceremony in the River Lands

The River Lands Henge Ready for Litha

Fiesty Lotus clears her throat

Welcome friends and family

We gather tonight to celebrate the longest day and shortest night, 

Litha, the Summer Solstice.

The Sun shines down upon us in its full crowning glory. It’s light, life giving and purifying.

I honor the Earth itself. I am surrounded by tall trees.

There is a clear sky above me and cool dirt beneath me, and I am connected to all three.

I celebrate the Summer Solstice, held in honor of the Sun.

All of Nature vibrates with the fertileness of the Summer Spirits

 

Shadow Dragon Ambassador Saphira

Saphira Mistwalker smiles and turns to face South and Fire, and hisses out a chant in the tongue of her people:

Wer Edar wharacic persvek wer ixenic di wer mitne vur tobor di wer Siksta.

Wer rinov shartleg Rimn di wer Eorikc tepohaic xurwka wer mitne throdenilt versvesh

Vur wer mitne tepohaic naktada xkhatir drong, halkvri naeck.

Wer kihlek di wer tairais di mitne, Litha, Lihlek di Erthnetora Tangisir, Erthnetora Lleisgar.

De tenpiswo, wer mitne tlushic ekess loreat, tenamalo,

Halkvri huena throdenilt wer Rimn shartlegi ekess wer tairais di whedabra, Samhain, Yule, Onkmet Lleisgar.

Sjerit, ihk naeck, wer Siksta ui yoweth, wer mitne ui itmen, wer Edar ui mornea.

Lae wer Siksta valignatic svern, nomag wer ixenic di sia sorwhitaj ibafarshan vhir.

Saphira Mistwalker raises her voice for all to hear and repeats in the common language:

The Earth basks in the fires of the light and life of the Sun.

The ever turning Wheel of the Year has made the light ever stronger

And the light has kept growing longer, until today.

The middle of the time of light, Litha, Midsummer's Eve, Summer Solstice.

From here, the light begins to fade, again,

Until once more the Wheel turns to the time of darkness, Samhain, Yule, Winter Solstice.

Yet, for today, the Sun is high, the light is bright, the Earth is warm.

As the Sun blazes above, may the fires of my rite flame below.

Saphira Mistwalker turns back to the center

Fiesty Lotus turns and looks North

Fiesty Lotus: The sun rises high in the summer sky

And lights our way even into the night

Today the sun casts three rays

The light of fire upon the land, the sea, and the heavens

Beneath my feet is the Earth, Soil dark and fertile

The cradle of all creatures

The womb in which life begins

And will later die, then return anew.

Fiesty Lotus turns back to the center

Archdruid Fitheach

Fitheach Eun turns slowly to face the west and water and speaks clearly

Fitheach Eun: From the west, the mist rolls in

Bringing gentle rain and billowing fog

The life-giving water without which

We would all cease to be.

Water, life bringer, healer of all

Flow into and through us

Bring change and fluidity

The clear stream of mystic reflection

Fitheach Eun turns back to face the altar

 

Archdruid Fiesty

Fiesty Lotus turns East

Fiesty Lotus: Warm winds caress my spirit

And rustle the green leaves above me

Soft and tender breezes carry the scent of summer’s bounty

Give support and flight to all creatures of the air

You dance around us gaily, but carry the threat of storms to come

The darkness begins to hold sway

Soon you will bring cooler winds and threats of winter snows

As the world turns to the dark again

Fiesty Lotus turns back to the center

Fitheach Eun addresses the group

Fitheach Eun: Does anyone here wish to contribute any words to this celebration?

Fitheach Eun: If not, Let us take a minute to remember absent friends and hope for their return

And keep a moment of silence for those we will see no more

Fiesty Lotus bows her head

Saphira Mistwalker bows her head in silence

Fitheach Eun bows her head silently

 

The Summer Solstice Altar

Fitheach Eun stands straight and smiles at the assembled friends

Fitheach Eun: But, today, at Litha, We celebrate the life and love of the spirits of the world

Now let your heart and be light and your spirit filled with joy as we revel in the joys of Midsummer!”

Let us dance out the longest day and honor the light as it begins to take its leave of us.

Fitheach Eun: The circle is broken, the rite is ended. Thank you all.

Saphira Mistwalker hisses happily, "Tiichia qe! (Blessed be!)"

Fitheach Eun: Blessed be

Fiesty Lotus smiles and says: "I got us blueberry mead and some nice spice cakes

Fitheach Eun smiles at the lovely food

Fiesty Lotus: Blessed be

Saphira Mistwalker: Mmm, blueberry mead.

Fitheach Eun: Sounds excellent my dear sister

Fiesty Lotus puts away her staff and says "Time to dance"

Saphira Mistwalker: Aye, time to dance.

Time to Dance!