This rite was written for a midsummer ceremony that fell on a full moon.
Godfolk required:
A Godman dressed as FRO-ING, in half-mask & greenery.
Five other Godwo/men, dressed as themselves.
A chorus of women primed with lines of invocation to the many Goddesses of Earth.
Props required:
Drinking Horn; a stand or hole to hold it in
Hammer
Mead in copious quantities
A Midsummer Carle, (a well-endowed and rampant male effigy constructed of branches and greenery found on the site, able to be carried by one man) plus a hole to stand him in;
Mask to represent Ing (ours was very leafy)
A Blessing Bowl and a bough to sprinkle with
Synopsis: (for rite text see below)
The main rite is dedicated to Sol at her height, to Tiw as axis about whom the seasons turn, to the Earth-Goddesses all, and to FRO ING and Freya.
The folk are gathered.
Energy is focused, through a Hammer Warding, and a reading or call to outline our purpose.
The might of Sunna at her height is called and welcomed.
Tiw is called as Sky-God and world-axis. He too is welcomed.
Earth is called and honoured, with a chorus of names of all Earth-Goddesses: Nerthus, Jord, Gefion, Gefn, Sif, Gerd, Fulla, etc.
The Lord and Lady (Fro-Ing and Freyr) are called and welcomed, and a horn of mead is offered them.
FRO ING enters, singing, to lead the folk in a dance with drumming, and a version of ‘Lord of the Dance'. He takes the horn round for each to make a toast or boast. He sprinkles the stead and the folk to bestow blessings, a gift for a gift, perhaps to loose fetters or grant wishes, to encourage growth and recreation. He pours the bowl over the tree, or harrow.
Wishes are given to the Midsummer Carle to be carried to Asgard. This figure is blessed by Tiw, Sol and the Earth-Idisi, and then given to the flames.
The revellers are lead to the feast.
THE RITE:
Hammer-Hallowing (if needed).
FIRST GODMAN gives the Rede:
"Folk and Friends, you are well gathered. ‘Tis Mid-Summer’s Day and Sunna shines at Her highest. The Moon, Her brother, stands most full. We meet in Their midst to mark Litha’s Feast. With this Riding, we shall call on Troth-worthy Tiw, One-Handed Irmin-God, round whom the seasons roll, and bid Him to our feast. This eve, we shall call on shine-bright Sol, to rest from Her riding, and bid Her to our feast. This night, we shall call on Nerthus, Earth-Mother, and all Idisi who share of the earth; bid Them to our feast. We shall call on the young Lord, Fro Ing, and on Freya, the Lady; bid Them to dance with us, sing with us, bless us with wyn. We shall give to the flames, the Midsummer Carle. Let all be ready with wishes to make, when he is by. The time is nigh! Take heed, True Folk of the North !"
TIW'S GODMAN steps forward into the ring, faces North to the polestar, stands, arms raised:
Tiw gives a token sure, holding true well With Athelings; ever faring Over nights of nithing; and never switches. With warmth and worth-ship, we welcome Tiw !
The gathering cheers, lead by the GODFOLK.
TIW'S MAN: The year, Irmin-lord, from Yule to Litha, Around you rolls. Your rede is fair: To each what is needed, from each what is given. TIW'S MAN steps to one side.
SUNNA'S GODWOMAN steps in, faces South to the Sun, arms raised.
SUNNA'S WIF: Day and Night draw into Even; Sunna must sink into doom. High in heaven, heart has been given: Rich and wretched have gained. With warmth and worth-ship, we welcome Sunna!
The gathering cheers, lead by the GODFOLK.
SUNNA'S WIF: Sunna, Sig-Drihtine, seaman’s friend And elf-beam bright, abide with us. The wolf is far: take wyn at our feast. She steps to the side.
EARTH'S GODWOMAN steps into the circle. The wifmen stand around.
EARTH'S WIF: Mighty Mother, mankind’s nourisher, Broad in the breast, brings to Her children Food of the flesh, though folk must gather To husband the harvest. High is the crop By Gerd’s rich giving. Grateful we offer Our works and worth-ship. Welcome among us.
CHORUS OF WIFMEN: Welcome Nerthus, wain rider, And Fulla, Frigga’s handmaid; Wisest of wifmen, be welcome, Frigga And Gefn, gold bestower. Welcome Gerd, Gymir’s daughter, And Gefjon, getter of Zealand; Welcome Jord, Young Thunder’s dam, Hlodyn, Hludana, Fyorgyn. Idunne, blessing with apples bright; Sif, with shining tresses; Erce, Erce, Eorthan Mothir; Eostre, awakening bride.
EARTH'S WIF: With warmth and worth-ship, we welcome Idisi of earth.
The gathering cheers, lead by the GODFOLK.
EARTH'S WOMAN and the WIFMEN step back.
FRO INGS'S GODWOMAN steps forward. The horn and the mead are nearby (either on the harrow, or held by another.)
FRO ING'S GODMAN steps in, from opposite direction, wearing the ING mask and carrying the carle. He sits.
ING'S WIF: Beloved Freyr, loving Freyja, Sister and brother, siblings betrothed; Elf-home’s king, Ielderan’s queen, Master and mistress of mirth and love, Bring us your blessing, this blot to fulfill. Free of all fetters the folk here gathered, High in our hopes. Let our hearts be kindled With Midsummer’s fire, to make our harvest Friendship and frith, and feasting enough !
She takes the horn and fills it with mead. May this horn be to Freyr, helm-warden high, And to Freyja, fairest in Heaven, To the might and main of Midgard’s kin. Be welcome, Wanes, among us !
FRO ING stands. He plants the carle in the earth and speaks:
Fare now in rings the fire around: Dance for Midsummer, our mightiest tide! Weal may be woven, woes untied As we dance in gladness for the gods all here!
He sings a bright dancing song. He leads the folk into a circle dance, which gains in speed towards the end till all are breathless and (hopefully) exhilerated. We used our version of "Lord of the Dance" (posted elsewhere).
FRO ING takes up the horn of mead:
Children of Ing, England’s kinder, Weaponmen and wifmen, well have you greeted My sister and sibs, scions of Asgard. Take thee tonight, from twisting horn, This brew of bee and blood fermented, In hope of the harvest, high shall it stand. All may speak freely, to boast, to toast, to call health to any!
He takes the horn of mead round the circle. All make toasts as they need. The remains are poured to the blessing bowl.
FRO ING takes the bowl and the sprinkler, blesses the harrow, blesses the tree, blesses the airts, blesses those above, those below, blesses each of the folk in turn giving blessings as inspired to, receiving gifts that are offered. He takes the remainder pours it to the tree. He takes up the carle, shows him to the folk.
FRO ING: This Midsummer Carle, of Midgard wrought, Home to the High Ones now fares: Give him your wishes, granted they may be, Boons to bless your hearts. He carries the carle around the ring, so that each may touch him and call or whisper their wish.
The GODFOLK step forward.
TIW'S MAN: The worth of your wishes be weighed by Tiw !
SUNNA'S WIF: Sig be sent by Sol to your dreams !
EARTH'S WIF: Mothers of Earth, mighty Idisi, Bring to birth your needs !
FRO ING: Farewell, dear friend, till we meet in Elf-Home.
He casts the carle to the flames. All cheer, clap, whatever. The song is reprised softly.
FIRST GODMAN: Fare to your feasting, friends of ... (name of kindred), With wyn and wisdom, and wealth increased !