Midsummer Activities & Traditions

Midsummer marks the longest day of the year when the sun is at the height of it's power and the goddess is heavy with child. The festivities revolve around fertility, purification and protection.

Harvesting Herbs

This is the traditional time of the year to collect herbs for magickal and medicinal use. The Druids collected many of their sacred herbs on this day and even today herbs harvested on this day tend to hold more power. It's a good idea to use a special knife knife to cut herbs. If you have a bolline (white handled knife) that you use for other magickal work you can use it to cut herbs too. It's a good idea to get a gardening or other plant identification book so you know what your harvesting. Some herbs have traditional ways they should be harvested. The druids harvested mistletoe with one swipe from a gold sickle only on midsummer or when the moon was six days old and it wasn't allowed to touch the ground. While the whole gold sickle part isn't necessary many people follow this last part, herbs should not touch the ground as it can drain their energies back into the earth. After you have collected your herbs hang them to dry, once dry place them in airtight,t labeled jars and place them on a shelf so they aren't touching the ground.

The Balefire

The bale fire is the center of most Midsummer rituals. The balefire is traditionally fueled by nine different types of wood, These are; Rowan, Mesquite, Oak, Pine, Apple, Dogwood, Poplar, Juniper and Cedar. If you have trouble finding all of these you can substitute with native woods. Keep a piece of charred wood from the balefire as a talisman of light and the power of the Lord during his waning months. It's also a custom to jump over the bale fire to cleanse and protect yourself from negativity and mischievous fairies.

Ritual Tools

Midsummer is a great time to craft and consecrate magickal and ritual tools related to the God. Such tools include, athames, bollines, wands, staves, swords, censer, ect.

Fairy Offerings

The Fae are highly active this time of the year and it is customary to leave them food and drink or offer them a libation during ritual.

Protection Magick

In addition to jumping over the balefire there is other protection magick done during midsummer. Travelers on this day would often conduct various protection rites before and during there journey and would avoid any place where fairies might reside including "enchanted forests", this is also the classic time of year to bless and protect livestock, pets and animal familiars.

Fertility Magick

The crops are growing at this time and harvest is nearing but just as a child in the womb can be blighted or miscarried so can the bounty of the earth. This is a good time to bless any gardens or houseplants you may have to assure their continued growth.