How to Perform the Sonoran Sunrise Grove Midsummer Ritual

In this beautiful Celtic tradition practiced on the day that the sun is in his zenith, the longest day he shines in any 24-hour period, we meet to give many offerings and welcome him.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Thick pieces of oak and fir
• Long, wooden kitchen matches

Perform a Ritual Well Blessing

1. Designate a quiet place in nature (the woods, a park, the beach) where you can have some privacy for your group to perform your ritual. Find a place where you can safely light a small bonfire and have your group form a circle.

2. Arrive 30 to 60 minutes before the midsummer sunrise. The ritual must greet the sun as he begins his day.

3. Place the thick pieces of oak and fir in a tepee formation. Position them up against each other and off the ground in the center, with the other ends of the wood supporting the pile.

4. Use the shovel to dig a hole in the earth to the west of the wood, the mystical direction of water. Make it just large enough for the bucket to fit within it. This creates the modern-day equivalent of a well for the ritual.

5. Lower the bucket into the hole and fill it with water.

6. Take the silver coins in your hands, clasp your hands over them, perform a silent blessing and throw them in the well. The well is now sacred, and the ritual may begin.

Give a Fire Offering

1. Druid two inserts some charcoal into the small bowl, then lights the charcoal until it begins to glow and smoke. All gatherers should begin to get into a circle.

2. Hear the bell sound nine times as druid two rings it. This is the signal to bow down to the earth and gift our planet with a kiss.

3. Stand back up and remain in the circle. The smoking bowl of charcoal should be carried toward the wood by druid two. The charcoal should be placed beneath the wood tepee.

4. See druid one carrying the small bowl of corn meal and dry oatmeal to the newly lit fire. Whispering a silent blessing over this Sonoran Sunrise Grove benefaction, druid one spoons the offering directly into the fire.

5. Sit down as druid two stretches his right hand out at his side, then glides it through the air. Once all are seated and comfortable, druid one will ring the bell again.

6. Open your eyes gently as three bells sound once again to notify you that the time of the Sonoran Sunrise Grove Midsummer Ritual meditation is over.

Provide a Personal Offering

1. Break the circle now. It is time to get in line if you have silver coins you wish to offer to the well. This is an offering to the source of the deep generational intelligence within all people.

2. Stand in front of the well and hold the silver coins between your interlocked hands.

3. Recite a silent prayer thanking the gods and goddesses for those who came before you and taught you the many lessons you need to learn to survive.

4. Promise to pass this knowledge and the thirst for such knowledge on to future generations. Kiss the coins and toss them into the well along with your solemn vow.

5. Gather around the fire once everyone has made an offering to the well. An offering to the fire is an offering to your spiritual guides and protectors.

6. Take several hearty drops of the oil that represents what you wish to communicate to your spirit guides and protectors and spill them into your palm. Rub your palms together, concentrating on your relationship with your guides and protectors.

7. Mix the scent of the oil with the musky smoke of the burning fire. Feel the softness of the oil.

8. Pray silently to your angels from beyond. When it is your turn at the fire, flick the oil into the fire as the perfect offering to your guides and your loved ones.

9. Reform the circle of unity after all have had time at the fire. The mood is quiet and dreamy.

Receive the Gifts

1. Focus on druid one and druid two as they gather two large drinking horns and place them on an altar.

2. Witness the two large drinking horns as they are prepared for the final offering to all the participants. One is filled with mead (which is made from fermenting honey and water) and the other is filled with apple juice.

3. Partake of the earth's liquid bounty. The drink symbolizes all the good the gods and goddesses have bestowed upon you and your loved ones this past year.

4. Interlock arms as the horns travel around the circle. The only time arms are unlocked is when the drinking horns come to you, as you must have your arms free to take hold of the horn of your choice and drink fully.

5. Take hold of your neighbors' hands as the drinking horns make it to the end of the circle.

6. Bow your head as druid one rings the bell nine times. This signifies the end of this year's Sonoran Sunrise Grove Midsummer Ritual.

Tips & Warnings

• Dress in layers. You will be starting this ritual before the sun is up, so wear a light jacket you can take off as the day becomes warmer.

• You will want to have some extra water to extinguish the fire. Make sure you douse all the embers.