I'm amazed that our group began keeping copies of our rituals so very long ago. No one had any idea that it would become such a very rich part of our lives. If you look at the very bottom of the list below, you will see the articles that sparked the fire that led to a incredible joyous, spiritual journey for so many women.
2017 Summer Solstice Ritual Outline: (This outline includes all the readings that were used.) Theme: "Getting in touch with masculine energy." In order to really access masculine energy, we were given the opportunity to take on the attributes of a man. Yup, that's right, ALL their attributes. It was really funny, fun and enlightening all at the same time. What a great day, hanging out at the creek with a great group of women, who pretty much embrace whatever their facilitators come up with.
Summer Solstice 2016 Outline-Theme: "Take courage to face your fears in this time of masculine power using your feminine tools of surrender, trust and self care." (An exquisite day of balance, health, & renewal!)
Summer Solstice 2015 Outline-Theme: “Transformation Utilizing the Elements; Air, Fire, Water & Earth”
(Created 4 groups that rotated to each station.)
(Created 4 groups that rotated to each station.)
 Earth Element
Earth Ritual: Chakra Clearing &
The Chevron-(a group activity/blessing honoring the balance of male/female energy-drawing the symbol with clay-part of the Earth ritual) |
 Water Element
Water Ritual: In a pool, each woman is supported by others (floating) and was sung to.
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 Air Element
Air Ritual: Visualization-(didn't get a copy.)
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 Sun Element
Sun Ritual: Discussed passion while designing/creating a sun.
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Summer Solstice 2013 - The intention of this ritual was to provide a place to heal and be healed. The question asked was, "Are you taking care of yourself?" Set-up-5 stations: A cozy meditation area with an alter (and possibly Tarot cards); a basket with guided questions; a blanket with sheet music for singing; an art station to make prayer flags; a massage area that would support a sharing circle or a massage.) The setting was outdoors by a creek. It was simple and sweet and allowed women to go to the station they needed the most.
Summer Solstice 2009 Ritual Outline: This outline allows you to get the order of activities, but it's missing some of the back-up for each one. Still, just seeing each step the facilitators chose to do is enough to go on to create a rich celebration of your own.
2000 Summer Solstice Ritual Outline: This ritual includes drumming, a visualization for healing using the male element, the making of a sun mandala, fire, and a manifestation walk reinforced with ringing bells which culminates in sending a wish down the river (via a rose).
1999 Summer Solstice Ritual Outline: This brief outline includes drumming, lighting a fire (includes the script for that), Making boats and putting the energy in it for what we want passionately to bring into our lives, and then painting a rock and sharing.
1997 Summer Solstice Overnight Ritual Outline: Whew! There's a lot on this outline because it's for a Friday night (moon rise) and Saturday morning (sun rise) ritual. In fact, I don't think I'll try to list all the activities. Just readiing it over, I could remember how sweet and rich it was. Enjoy!
1995 Summer Solstice Ritual Outline: It's interesting that although this ritual was so long ago, I can still remember so much of it. Maybe that's because it was all so new to me then. The fire lighting visualization within it, is unique because each woman participates in lighting the fire while immersed in the visualization-kind of different. Another thing I remember is this amazing sun hoop that one of the women made. It was a great way to enter the ritual space.
1994 Ritual Notes: This was the first ritual I helped facilitated-a long time ago (it seems). There wasn't an outline/timeline like we make now, simply a list of themes, goddesses, and intentions for the ritual activities. It's amazing to me that the activities we engaged in during this first ritual have been redone (in various forms) time and time again. And yet, each time it feels different and new. Many of the ideas were gleaned from those first articles we found in books and put in the binder (see below). It really bothers me that those articles aren't cited. The authors of those articles have enriched so many people. If you have any idea of the source, please contact me.
Gifts for the Fairies-a Midsummer activity
Article from "The Women's Spirituality Book" (I don't know the author)- It has a lot of good ideas for a Summer Solstice ritual. (It includes wishing boats, purification with water, and a bonfire.
Article- Midsummer Solstice (June 21): Another uncited article found in the binder. Please let me know if you are aware of the source. It includes the antiphonal chant, "What is this night?" Also included are themes, ideas, and a bit of history for MId-summer celebrations.
Aphrodite-Summer Solstice: Another un-cited article in our binder, this reading includes some history as well as a ritual to raise the energies associated with Aphrodite, “sacred passion, burning desire, sensual ecstasy, Mother of pleasure". It includes: roses throughout the ritual, a ritual bathing, and lighting a fire.
