June 2018 WATERritual

Summer Solstice: Goddesses of Fire

By Diann L. Neu and the WATER Staff

The Summer Solstice (June 21 in the northern hemisphere, December 21 in the southern) is the absolute peak of solar power. The sun is at its apex while at its turning point. This is the longest day and shortest night of the year. It signals that changes in light and weather are coming. Nature is at the summit of its sumptuousness, as light and as ripe as it can possibly get. Summer Solstice festivals celebrate the sun and renew the community’s ties to Earth.

This liturgy invites participants to feel the fire of the sun, to share the fulfillment, passion and, creativity they wish for themselves and for Earth. It is most freeing when celebrated outside, but can also be effective inside.

Preparation

Create theritual space by placing a bonfire (grill) in the center of the yard. Have a basket of twigs, seven candles, drinks and ingredients for “s’mores:” marshmallows, chocolate squares, and graham crackers. Gather musical instruments (drums, rattles, tambourines) for the participants. Place red and yellow flowers on the altar. Light the fire ahead of time. If conducting this ritual inside, you can use a candle in place of the bonfire.

Fire Lighting Ceremony

Let us light our candles to honor individual sources of fire and passion. We each have our own flames and when we put our flames together we build a fire of justice.

Fire Salutation

(Leader stands around fire, using body gestures in keeping with these words and motioning all to follow suit)

Face the fire. (Pause) Stand united with Earth. (Pause) Extend your arms to the fire. (Pause) Feel the energy flow through your hands and body. (Pause) Pull the fire’s energy toward your eyes. (Pause) Hug yourself passionately. (Pause) Feel the energy flow through your body and your feet. (Pause) Connect with the fire, the setting sun, and Earth.

Naming the Circle

Welcome to this Summer Solstice when we celebrate the fullness of light. This longest day and shortest night of the year remind us that summer is here. To create our circle, speak your name and say, “I honor the fire in you.” (Sharing. If it is raining, incorporate this by inviting people to say, “I honor the rain, the sun, and you.”)

Song: “Rise with the Fire” by Starhawk

(Clap, use drums, rattles, and percussion instruments.)

We can rise with the fire of freedom, truth is a fire that burns our chains,

We can stop the fire of destruction, healing is the fire running through our veins.

Call to Gather

(One woman lights the fire while another says:)

Happy Midsummer to you! This date is known as Midsummer’s Night, the longest day and the shortest night of the year. On this night Earth reaches midpoint on her journey around the sun. This is a night of fulfillment. It is a magical time when wishes are made and come true. Earth is transparent and its underground riches can be seen. It is a significant turning point in the Wheel of the Year.

In ancient agricultural rites, fires were lit on Summer Solstice to renew the sun’s energy while it was at its turning point. Indigenous Europeans built sun shrines. Stonehenge, a famous stone circle, has its main axis in perfect alignment with the summer solstice sunrise. The Aztecs, Mayas, and Incas of Central America, the Chinese, and the Egyptians all built sun shrines. In many Native American traditions, this time of year is celebrated as part of a vision cycle, and dances are performed to renew the energy of the sun, the vegetation, and the people. On this day the Hopi Indians of the Southwest celebrate Niman Kachina when the kachinas, the tribal spirit guides, return to their underground homes until the winter solstice.

In Brazil, people set flower wreaths on fire and float them on the waves to honor the Yoruba sea goddess, Iamanja. In Christian tradition, Summer Solstice, or St. John’s Eve, marks the birth of John the Baptist, who told of the coming of Christ the Light. Even today, St. John’s Fires are lit in the mountains of Europe. The flames of sun and fire remind us of the early Christian community’s Pentecost experience of empowerment by the Spirit. In the goddess tradition, Summer Solstice was known as Litha, the name of a northern European (or North African) goddess of fertility, power, and abundance.

In many lands, our ancestors designed and built solar observatories for the summer solstice that are in perfect alignment with the sun’s path on this date. These marvels of astronomy were created as medicine wheels in caves, and in such places as Stonehenge, Casa Grande, Woodhenge, and New Grange.

In feminist circles around the world, the Summer Solstice is being welcomed as a time to renew passions, to give thanks for the abundant gifts of Earth, and to promise to protect all things under the sun.

The fullness of light may be understood as the fullness of being, a time of radiance, a time to immerse ourselves in fulfilling our purpose of being. Red and yellow are the colors for Summer Solstice: the red of passion, the yellow of the sun, and the red of the summer bonfire. Red and yellow flowers enhance our celebration. This day may our wishes be fulfilled!

Invoking the Goddesses of Fire

(Two women introduce the Litany, name several goddesses, throw twigs on the fire or light a candle in their honor.)

Chant: “Walk Into the Holy Fire,” author unknown, from Songs for Earthlings, ed. by Julie Forest Middleton, © 1998.

Walk into the holy fire, step into the holy flame,

Walk into the holy fire, step into the holy flame.

Aleluya. Aleluya.

Voice 1: Let us call upon the female divinities, the goddesses of fire, to fuel the fire of justice this summer solstice.

Goddesses of Fire, sparking, glowing, searing powers,

Strong Ones who dance, Passionate Ones who move the ever-turning wheel of creation,

Response: We welcome you.

Voice 2: Hail Olwen, Welsh flower and sun goddess, whose name means ‘golden wheel’! You sprinkle Earth with the flowers of spring while touching the sky with your golden, flame-coloured cloak, warming Earth after the cold of winter.

R: Olwen, fuel the fire of justice.

Voice 1: Hail Saule, Baltic sun goddess! You determine the well-being and regeneration of all life on Earth while riding each day through the sky on a chariot drawn by horses who do not tire.

R: Saule, fuel the fire of justice.

Voice 2: Hail Djanggawul sisters, Aboriginal daughters of the sun, though your sacred powers were stolen by your brothers, your significance did not diminish because you remember everything and were emboldened by the event.

R: Djanggawul sisters, fuel the fire of justice.                    

(Light a candle or throw wood on the fire.)

Chant: “Walk Into the Holy Fire”           

Voice 1: Hail Amaterasu, Japanese Shinto goddess, whose name means ‘great shining heaven’! You are the head of the Japanese pantheon and your emblem is the rising sun.

R: Amaterasu, fuel the fire of justice.

Voice 2: Hail Beiwe, Sami goddess of Lapland! You are celebrated for providing the light that plants need to grow, providing a source of food, clothing, and tools for the people so that they may flourish and thrive.

R: Beiwe, fuel the fire of justice.

Voice 1: Hail Brigit, Celtic goddess of fire! You hand your cloak upon the rays of the sun and your dwelling place radiates light as if on fire. Your ancient name means ‘fiery arrow,’ symbolizing justice and punishment.

R: Brigit, fuel the fire of justice.

(Light a candle or throw wood on the fire.)

Chant: “Walk Into the Holy Fire”

Voice 1: Hail Akewa, Toba goddess of the sun! You are the sister and protector of all women, saving us from patriarchal rule. Each day, you travel across the sky, warding off demons with your bright rays of light.

R: Akewa, fuel the fire of justice.

Voice 2: Hail Xi Hou, Chinese goddess of light! You are the Mother of the ten suns that light the Earth in rotation. You represent the renewal of each new day, carefully caring for and nurturing the light and power so that it offers all opportunities to humanity. Your symbol is gold.

R: Xi Hou, fuel the fire of justice.

Voice 1: Hail Atthar, Arabic goddess of the sun! You are the “Torch of the Gods,” the Mother of the pre-Islamic peoples of Arabia. You supply light and strength, and are honored by the daily pouring of libations from high places.

R: Atthar, fuel the fire of justice.

(Light a candle or throw wood on the fire.)

Voice 1: Goddesses of Fire, sparking, glowing, searing powers,

Strong Ones who dance, Passionate Ones who move the ever-turning wheel of creation,

R: Bless our fire and us.

Reflection

Focus on the sun, the candles, and the fire. Feel the energy of the Goddesses. Feel the colors of the flames. What peaks of energy do you experience? What fulfillment, passion, and creativity do you wish for yourself and for Earth this solstice? (Pause)

Share a glimpse of this and, if you choose, speak your wish and throw a twig on the fire to carry your wish home to the Cosmic Mothers and Goddesses as a message. Or, if you prefer, just throw a twig on the fire in silence. (Sharing)  

Prayers for Justice

There are many who need our prayers this day. Let us speak the needs and answer with “Fuel the fires of justice” or “Fuel the flames of healing.”

Song: “Rise with the Fire” by Starhawk

(Clap, use drums, rattles, and percussion instruments.)

We can rise with the fire of freedom, truth is a fire that burns our chains,

And we can stop the fire of destruction, healing is a fire running through our veins.

Taking the Solstice Leap

Let us bring closure to our Solstice time by taking a summer solstice leap! It is traditional on this day to leap over the fire. Those who wish can leap over the candles. For protection in the coming year, for the courage to take risks, for purification from sorrow, and for the fun of feeling foolish again, jump over the fire. Now take another leap for the protection of all things under the sun and on Earth this millenium. (Leaping)

Song: “Dancing Sophia’s Circle” by Colleen Fulmer, from Dancing Sophia’s Circle © 1994.

Ring us round, O blazing circle, Goddesses dancing free,

Beauty, strength and Holy Wisdom, Blessing you and blessing me.

Sending Forth

Let us remember the fire within the goddesses and within ourselves through the these candles.

Let these candles remind us of the flames of justice created by activists all over the globe.

Let us go forth filled with the fire for justice.

Eating

Bonfires remind us of toasting marshmallows and eating “s’mores.” Come, toast a marshmallow, put it on a graham cracker with a piece of chocolate, and make a delicious sandwich like children do.

Closing

Tomorrow, wake up again at sunrise. Commune with the rising sun. Remain conscious of the sun throughout the day and honor the sunset with your complete attention. After sunset, forgo electric lights. Burn candles or a bonfire, as the ancients did, to feed the sun as it turns to darkness. Enjoy the summer solstice.

Take Action

~ Greet the rising sun on the summer solstice (June 21) with this prayer from the liturgy. As the sun is rising, people are rising, and so do our prayers along with them. There is synergy in the continuity of our prayers.

Goddesses of Fire, sparking, glowing, searing powers,

Strong Ones who dance, Passionate Ones who move the ever-turning wheel of creation,

Welcome!

~ As record temperatures are being reached all over the United States and elsewhere, let us remember that climate change is bringing summers unlike any we have experienced. So let the warmth of summer remind us to be considerate of Earth and of our commitments to work for climate justice.

© 2018 Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual (WATER). Planned by Diann L. Neu dneu@hers.com, Hannah Dorfman hannah@waterwomensalliance.org, Janaya Sachs janaya@waterwomensalliance.org.