TNW-ATC Midsummer a Sabbat of Fire and Water

Eightfold are the festivals of the The Witches’ Wheel of the Year. They are the ancient mystery of Sun and Earth, of Lady and Lord, of the continuous dance of the seasons. 

The Sun is the living Star of our Solar System, immense in size, blazing with seemingly limitless energy, old beyond imagining. Without the Sun's rays, there can be no life on Mother Earth. We are no less dependent on the Sun's rays than we are on the beating of our own hearts. As the heart of our Solar System, it shines upon everyone and its light sustains and nourishes the plants and trees and every living thing. It grants day from night, and has witnessed every period and phase of our Earth's evolution. Its rays have shined upon every wave of life on this planet. Without the Sun's eternal radiance we would not be. The Major Arcana Tarot Card of The Sun symbolically represents this season of abundance, beauty, and Magick. 

Religious and Spiritual Holy Days and celebrations in many cultures around the world are linked in some way to the Summer Solstice when the Sun reaches the blazing height of its strength as it enters the zodiacal cardinal sign of Cancer, a water sign ruled by the Moon.  Thus, we may consider Midsummer Sabbat  an alchemical marriage of Fire and Water. 

To the to the Druids, Summer Solstice was known as as Alban Hefin/Heruin.  Today, many Witches and modern Pagan folk refer to Summer Solstice as “Litha”, an old Anglo-Saxon word for the month of June, and as ”Midsummer” because it is roughly the middle of the growing season throughout much of Europe. 

Since 1992 e.v. The Salem Temple of Nine Wells has offered a rich legacy of public service to the local community at many different venues since its inception, exploring the core mysteries of the eight "Sabbats" of the Witches Wheel of the Year by offering for decades open ceremonies for each, and letting our imaginations take us on a deep dive into their customs, symbols and themes, calling us where they will, to these Mysteries.   Historical sources that describe the multi-cultural celebrations of our Spiritual fore-Mothers and fore-Fathers have widened our perceptions of these Sacred Holy Days and allowed us to enjoy our personal callings. It has been an amazing and magnificent priviledge to offer ceremonies of Witchcraft, Magick, music, folklore and more. These Interactive Ritual presentations have featured songs, elemental consecrations and attunements, invocations, guided pathworkings, stories, charms, chants, channeled messages, tarot, spells, candle blessings, anointings, and knowledge lectures.

Midsummer is a potent time for us to invoke the power of the Sun to illuminate our minds, strengthen our protection shields, empower ourselves and for all works of prosperity.  The power of the Sun blesses and empowers us with its warming rays, burning off that which is unnecessary or unneeded. The sign of Cancer represents the Waters of the deep mind. This is the Sea of transformation which is the Womb of the Great Mother. Let the Great Mother's tides carry away our stresses and adversities on Her waves. Let us  join together to think about our life goals and ask our Bright Lady and Shining Lord to bless our families, our homes and communities with joy and happiness, strength and wisdom. 

If it be your will, we invite you to celebrate with us! 

Join the Priests and Priestesses of the Temple of Nine Wells-ATC and friends & family at Litha for an evening of ritual, song, magick and merriment. 

May the greatest good be served. So mote it be.

Blessed Be with Love From Salem,

Rev. Gypsy Ravish HPs. & the Salem Temple of Nine Wells Council of Elders

May the Gods Preserve the Craft!