This ritual can be used to absorb the courage, power and joy of the season. You can carry out this ritual
at any time during the three-day period. You might like to perform it at dusk on the eve of the solstice
or at one of the other traditional times, such as midnight, the dawn of the solstice day or noon.
Alternatively, you may prefer to watch the actual solstice sunrise from a hill or an open place or even
close to one of the sacred sites at dawn.
* Take eight large, long, rounded stones, one for each spoke on the Wheel of the Year.
* Arrange them around the edges of a circle. The eight points correspond with the mid-winter solstice
in the North, Imbolc in the North-east, the spring equinox in the East, Beltain in the South-east, the
summer solstice in the South, Lughnassadh in the South-west, the autumn equinox in the West, and
Samhain in the North-west. (In the southern hemisphere, they will all move six months so that the
summer solstice is in the North, etc.)
* In front of each stone, place a yellow beeswax or gold candle and set a large gold candle in the centre
of the circle. If you have a cauldron or large pot, you can set the central candle in that. Surround the
central candle with flowers and herbs of midsummer, if possible freshly picked from an outside source,
and any greenery.
* If you are working in a group, members can stand around the circle, one at each of the points of the
year, with the rest of the coven standing in the North, in a line, facing the South. If you are alone, you
may wish to adapt the ritual so the stones and candles are smaller. Place the central candle on your
altar, which will on this occasion be standing in the North, facing the South, and move round the altar
in a circle.
* Enter the circle at the mid-winter solstice (North), the position of the birth of the Sun, and light the
central candle, saying:
Sun, sacred centre of warmth, light, light and fertility, I greet you on this your time of glory.
* Behind the candle, light a semicircle of frankincense sticks, saying:
Sun who has been from the beginning, King, God, Father, orb of inspiration, I greet you now at this
your time of glory.
* Face the North and light the mid-winter candle, saying:
The Sun is born anew, see light grows, light flames to illuminate the darkness and promises renewal as
the Wheel turns too.
* Move round the Wheel to face the North-east. Light the Imbolc candle, saying:
The Sun increases and the maiden flames the white fields. You claim her as your own and so the year
turns and life and light wax as day returns.
* Move next to the East and, facing this direction, light the spring equinox candle, saying:
Once more you overcome the darkness; the throne of light is yours to ascend and longer days are won.
* Move to the South-east and, facing this direction, light the Beltain candle, saying:
Your warmth brings green growth once more to the barren Earth. I kindle fires to draw your healing
strength and the corn will grow high.
* Move to the South, face the direction of the summer solstice, light the candle and say:
The Sun is at its height and all nature filled with power. The Lord and Lady of the Universe, Sky and
Earth, are joined on this day.
* Around the summer solstice candle, scatter a circle of dried or fresh dill, St John’s wort, vervain and
clover (trefoil) – these are the herbs that bloom at this time and were used to exorcise harm and bring
protection to home and people. If you cannot get any of them, use rosemary or any of the herbs of the
Sun.
* As you scatter the herbs, say one of the variations of the old midsummer chant that can be found in
folk legend in Europe. My favourite is:
Trefoil, vervain, John’s wort, dill,
Drive off darkness at your will.
Trefoil, vervain, John’s wort, dill,
May the summer sunshine fill
All with life and hope – and keep
Hearth and home safe while I sleep.
Scoop up some of the herbs in a tiny purse or drawstring bag. Keep it and place it beneath your pillow
before sleep. You will, it is said, dream of the person who can make you happy and also, if you add
some golden pollen to the sachet, of ways of increasing your wealth.
* Light the final three candles in turn, saying:
Wheel turn, though light from henceforth falls,
Turn year, till spring and new life calls.
* Leave your solstice wheel of candles to burn down.
* The following day, when daylight comes again, plant golden flowers and spend the day in the open
air if at all possible, enjoying every moment of light until you witness the Sun setting in the West.
