Ritual for Litha (Summer Solstice)

This is a ritual for the Summer Solstice, done specifically in honor of Sunna and with the intent of frith-weaving between the Nine Worlds.  While I have written this ritual in the context of a group ritual, it can most certainly be modified to accomodate the solitary.  The important thing is that the Gods and Worlds are honored.

(Note: I use the word "Godhar" which can be taken to mean "Godhi" and/or "Gydhia", it may be that more than one person has priest duties and in any event the word can apply to either/any gender.)


Supplies needed in preparation for the ritual:

--An index card (or, for something more attractive and "official" to show, a parchment scroll) on which appropriate Eddaic verses (listed below) are written, so the Godhar can read them to note the significance of the time.

--A drinking vessel (horn preferable, but not necessary), and plenty of appropriate libation.  Mead would be best, but if you are holding a public ritual you may want to take not serving alcohol into consideration.  Organic lemonade is something that speaks "summer" and "sunshine" to me, and so while not necessarily historically accurate it seems appropriate: various ciders might work as well.

--An offering bowl, in which to pour Sunna's libation.

--Ten candles, one for Sunna Herself and nine for each of the Nine Worlds.  The types of candles can be as simple or as complex as you prefer -- you could have all white candles, or one white and the others an assortment of different colors that you feel represent the Nine Worlds.

--A smudge stick comprised of juniper and mugwort, which should be larger in direct proprtion to how many people are attending.



PART ONE

The stead is hallowed.  Skip this option if you are in a permanent sacred space such as a Hof or a ritual room, or land that has been hallowed beforehand.  Godhar will offer to the land spirits, giving something appropriate such as cornmeal and/or tobacco and speaking words of peace to them, that they may assist in making the space holy to the Gods.


PART TWO

Godhar invokes Sunna.  The invocation should be improvised and spoken or sung from the heart, as simple or complex as needs be to bring Sunna's presence to the group.  When the Godhar feels the presence of Sunna, the rite begins.


PART THREE

Obligatory Lore reading, to note the significance of this time.  Godhar speaks:

I shall read to you from the Lore of the Northlands, the stories we have of Sunna.

Of old was the age | when Ymir lived;
Sea nor cool waves | nor sand there were;
Earth had not been, | nor heaven above,
But a yawning gap, | and grass nowhere.

Then Bur's sons lifted | the level land,
Mithgarth the mighty | there they made;
The sun from the south | warmed the stones of earth,
And green was the ground | with growing leeks.

The sun, the sister | of the moon, from the south
Her right hand cast | over heaven's rim;
No knowledge she had | where her home should be,
The moon knew not | what might was his,
The stars knew not | where their stations were.

Then sought the gods | their assembly-seats,
The holy ones, | and council held;
Names then gave they | to noon and twilight,
Morning they named, | and the waning moon,
Night and evening, | the years to number.

Voluspa, v. 3-6


Nörfi or Narfi is the name of a giant that dwelt in Jötunheim: he had a daughter called Night; she was swarthy and dark, as befitted her race. She was given to the man named Naglfari; their son was Audr. Afterward she was wedded to him that was called Annarr; Jörd was their daughter. Last of all Dayspring had her, and he was of the race of the Æsir; their son was Day: he was radiant and fair after his father. Then Allfather took Night, and Day her son, and gave to them two horses and two chariots, and sent them up into the heavens, to ride round about the earth every two half-days. Night rides before with the horse named Frosty-Mane, and on each morning he bedews the earth with the foam from his bit. The horse that Day has is called Sheen-Mane, and he illumines all the air and the earth from his mane.

...A certain man was named Mundilfari, who had two children; they were so fair and comely that he called his son Moon, and his daughter Sun, and wedded her to the man called Glenr. But the gods were incensed at that insolence, and took the brother and sister, and set them up in the heavens; they caused Sun to drive those horses that drew the chariot of the sun, which the gods had fashioned, for the world's illumination, from that glowing stuff which flew out of Múspellheim. Those horses are called thus: Early-Wake and All-Strong; and under the shoulders of the horses the gods set two wind-bags to cool them, but in some records that is called 'iron-coolness.'

Moon steers the course of the moon, and determines its waxing and waning. He took from the earth-two children, called Bil and Hjúki, they that went from the well called Byrgir, bearing on their shoulders the cask called Sægr, and the pole Simul. Their father is named Vidfinnr. These children follow Moon, as may be seen from the earth....The sun fares swiftly, and almost as if she were afraid: she could not hasten her course any the more if she feared her destruction. ...It is no marvel that she hastens furiously: close cometh he that seeks her, and she has no escape save to run away. ...It is two wolves; and he that runs after her is called Skoll; she fears him, and he shall take her. But he that leaps before her is called Hati Hródvitnisson. He is eager to seize the moon; and so it must be.

Gylfaginning (Prose Edda)

May we give worth to Sunna on this the day when She is at Her most strong and mighty, may Her own bright courage burn within us and give us the inspiration we need to be a light in this world for others.

Hail Sunna!

Gathered Folk:  Hail Sunna!


PART FOUR

The round of libations given to Sunna.  This will be a horn (or other vessel) loaded three times, and poured into a bowl.  The libations may be given Her by other attendants, to make the rite more participatory.

--The first libation is given to Sunna, and the words are spoken:

Sigel semannum symble biþ on hihte,
ðonne hi hine feriaþ ofer fisces beþ,
oþ hi brimhengest bringeþ to lande.

The sun is ever a joy in the hopes of seafarers
when they journey away over the fishes' bath,
until the courser of the deep bears them to land.


--The second libation is given to Sunna, and the words are spoken:

Sol er skyja skjldr   
ok skinandi rull       
ok isa aldrtregi.
rota.                        siklingr.

Sun is clouds shield       
and shining glory       
and of ice life-long sorrow.
Wheel.                Victorious-ones descendant.


--The third libation is given to Sunna, and the words are spoken:

Sol es landa ljomi;
lutik helgum domi.

Sol is radiance of lands;
I bow to holiness’ doom.


--The Godhar then speaks to Sunna, that She may accept the offerings given Her in gratitude, in appreciation of Her light.


PART FIVE

--The candle in the center is lit (either by Godhar or participating attendant), and the words are spoken, something to the effect of (words do not need to be verbatim):

Light to Sunna,
that She may burn bright
and strong,
as She gives light to our world,
so we gift Her with our light,
a gift for a gift.


--The nine candles around the center are lit from Sunna's candle, the words spoken:

Blessings to the world of Midgard, may Sunna's light be received with gladness.

Blessings to the world of Asgard, may Sunna's light be received with gladness.

Blessings to the world of Jotunheim, may Sunna's light be received with gladness.

Blessings to the world of Muspellheim, may Sunna's light be received with gladness.

Blessings to the world of Vanaheim, may Sunna's light be received with gladness.

Blessings to the world of Ljossalfheim, may Sunna's light be received with gladness.

Blessings to the world of Svartaflheim, may Sunna's light be received with gladness.

Blessings to the world of Niflheim, may Sunna's light be received with gladness.

Blessings to the world of Helheim, may Sunna's light be received with gladness.


When all the candles are lit, the words are spoken:

Light to the Nine Worlds, gladness to the Nine Worlds, frith to the Nine Worlds.
Hail the Worlds and Wights of the Tree!

Gathered Folk:  Hail!



PART SIX

Godhar takes the horn and invites each attendant to hail the Deity of their choice, to celebrate that Deity in joy and gratitude.  The horn is passed around the circle, and the last bit of libation is poured back to Sunna.


PART SEVEN

Godhar lights the smudge stick of juniper and mugwort in Sunna's candle, and asks for Sunna to make these herbs sacred with Her fire.  Godhar then takes the stick and smudges each person in the circle, blessing them with Sunna's weal.  Individual blessings may also be added, for those who need health, and/or peace of mind, or prosperity, etc.  This will rightly be a very intuitive thing, so long as each attendant has the smoke pass over them front to back, back to front.


PART EIGHT

The rite is closed with a benediction given from the Godhar for each person to be mindful of Sunna's light, and the dependence we have on the cycles of night and day.



(C) 2008 Sigrun Freyskona.