The Organisation and Religion to Re-unite All Religions

MIDSUMMER

 

Midsummer, Summer Solstice, Méan Samhraidh. This marks the time when we get sunburns, make out in summer grass at picnics, and the nymphs are in their full playful moods.

In ancient times, before shrines were ruined by Roman soldiers, sun shrines would be put at healing springs. The Celts believed the sun had healing properties. They are partially right; the sun releases endorphins that put us on a natural high. But, be careful, the sun will also cause sun poison, sunburns, blisters, and eventually skin cancer. Also, for those in the British Isles and Australia, you are even in danger of getting cataracts.

Water was the mystical entrance to the Other world, so offerings would be thrown into the water by these healing springs. If you have one by you, this is a very good way to celebrate the Solstice. It is rumored to bring you good luck. If you are a water sign or born by water, this is the recommended way to celebrate the Solstice. Sacred wells were used for scrying and healing as well. Also, some Celtic tribes, mostly those in Southern England and Southern Ireland, the women would cover the well with flowers and tree branches, dance around the well singing ancient Celtic myths with water’s healing power in them. After they had exhausted themselves or drank too much mead, the men would take bowls of water and scatter on their fields for good harvest and good rain.

At midnight, fires were lit on every hill. This is where the Romans made a mistake in their history; they assumed these were pyres (ceremonious burning of a dead soldier with his belongings and war prizes) and thus assuming Celts were War Hawks. Anyways, people would dance around the fires and leapt through them, if a Druid saw one burned, they would be taken to be purified. Being burned was a sign that the person had angered the gods, ancestors, or subversive creature. Mostly men were burned.

When sunrise came the women would take herbs from the fire back into their home, the men would take torches and coal, spreading coal on their fields. Also, the burning torches invoked Aine and kept them safe from her hunger for death at Summer Solstice.

We can also not forget the sacred tress. The eldest oak tree in the forest was left an offering of burned herbs. All oak trees were decorated with cloths (this caused a battle when the Romans and Welsh took these cloths without much though). Hawthorn threes were decorated with flowers and the entire village danced around them. The village would feast and celebrate after.

Bile and Aine are the honored Goddesses. Aine, if you have fields, you must take a torch and walk through the field with it. If you do not have a field, take part of corn and burn it (burn it outside because sometimes it can smell pretty bad) and than leave it as an offering to Aine. If you do not, you risk being one of her victims. Bile is celebrated in a similar way. Her torches are straw and long branches, and the torches are carried up the hills to bless the livestock. This also the time when we thank Dana for birthing the Celtic people. The best modern way to celebrate her is go into meditation under her name and use her mind to show your thankfulness for her creation.

At summer solstice, we celebrate the longest day of the year; the sun being in its zenith.

Herbs of Midsummer: Chamomile, Chickweed, Chicory, Cinquefoil, Delphinium (Larkspur), Dogwood, Elderflower, Fennel, Figwort, Hemp, Lavender, Male Fern, Meadowsweet, Mistletoe, Mugwort, Pine, Rose, St. John’s Wart, Vervain.

Like always, make sure you use these herbs in the proper way to avoid serious harm. Some herbs are useful and poisonous at the same time.

 

Sarah R. Goettge

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