Last night, I joined some of my grovies from Northern Rivers as guests for Kripalu Yoga Center’s Summer Solstice celebration. It was a very different and eclectic ritual style, but it was good-natured and fun. It’s important to the group to show support for the Yoga Center as they have been very welcoming to us. Heck, they even included us in their event by asking us to help start the bonfire. My friend Cas and I were happy to oblige. While the others continued around the trail to visit each of the landmarks on their walking trail, we built the fire, prayed to Brighid, and chanted a little. It was incredibly fulfilling to do that, even with the intense heat of the day.
I spent the actual Solstice with my family. Being Father’s Day, it seemed right. Despite the threat of rain, it’s been gorgeous, albeit humid. We spent a lot of time outside. Since daylight will start to decline after today, we might as well make the most of it, right?
I harvested some of the first crops from my container garden this week. Earlier, it was some herbs – traditional to harvest at this time. Today, I plucked the first snap peas from the vines. What a blessing! And it meant I had some “first fruits” to offer the local spirits. Photo by Grey Catsidhe, 2015.I performed a small ritual on my own at my altar. I gave offerings of seeds, herbs, grain, whiskey, flowers, first fruits, and incense. I made a special offering to my Ancestral Fathers at their shrine, and another special offering to the male deities in my life – namely An Dagda, Lugh, and Manannan. The omens spoke much on my need to pay attention to my inner motivations and instincts, to accept that things are ending, but that I will be able to rise above that turbulence to embrace a higher level of nobility. Photo by Grey Catsidhe, 2015.I brought some incense outside to offer to Airmed, Goddess of herbs and tending gardens. I often honor her at Summer Solstice time. With all the rain we’ve been getting, I wasn’t very worried about putting some incense out, and I wasn’t too far away while it burned. Photo by Grey Catsidhe, 2015.Later, we went to Clayton to spend some time along the St. Lawrence River. It was there that I made an offering of yellow flowers to Manannan, a traditional way to “pay the rent” to him. I always feel close to him when near the St. Lawrence. As a major river that directly connects to the Atlantic, I feel that it’s easier to commune with him there than many of the other lakes and ponds in the area. Just my own personal UPG. I’m also mindful that the area has many connections to Native communities and their lore. I don’t feel that it’s Manannan’s river, but I do feel that he likes to visit often. Photo by Grey Catsidhe, 2015.
Whatever you did to celebrate the Summer Solstice, I hope you were able to enjoy some time outside. Don’t take the warmth and sun for granted. Get out there to literally smell the flowers! Maybe even eat some snap peas right of the vine!
4 thoughts on “Get Out and Enjoy the Sun on the Summer Solstice”
Sounds like you had a lovely day! I used to be a member of your Grove, back in the 1990s. I lived too far away, in Maryland. Now I live in Ogdensburg, NY. But it is still too far away. I am glad to see you all are still keeping the rituals and celebrations going. I enjoy reading your blog. Merry Solstice to you! Nice job!
We were actually founded only a few years ago! I wonder what happened to the group you were with in the 90s. Were they ADF?
I hope you had a lovely day up your way!
My apologies, I misread and thought that you were in the Muin Mound Grove. That is the one I was in. The Northern Rivers Protogrove sounds lovely. I actually live right on the St. Lawrence River now. I do not see a lot of activity in this area. I’ve since become a solitary Wiccan. I’ve been looking for a Drum Circle and full moon rituals but these things are openly advertised here. So I mainly do my own thing.
No need to apologize! I was very curious. I attended Muin Mound for several years before moving up to the Watertown area and founding Northern Rivers Protogrove. We mostly meet in Watertown and Adams. Next month we will have a gathering near Clayton if interested! I would like to explore Ogdensburg more. We’ve only driven through on our way to Ottawa. I love the North Country, but so many of us Pagans are spread out! It is hard to get together for some. 😦
Author M. A. Phillips 
Sounds like you had a lovely day! I used to be a member of your Grove, back in the 1990s. I lived too far away, in Maryland. Now I live in Ogdensburg, NY. But it is still too far away. I am glad to see you all are still keeping the rituals and celebrations going. I enjoy reading your blog. Merry Solstice to you! Nice job!
We were actually founded only a few years ago! I wonder what happened to the group you were with in the 90s. Were they ADF?
I hope you had a lovely day up your way!
My apologies, I misread and thought that you were in the Muin Mound Grove. That is the one I was in. The Northern Rivers Protogrove sounds lovely. I actually live right on the St. Lawrence River now. I do not see a lot of activity in this area. I’ve since become a solitary Wiccan. I’ve been looking for a Drum Circle and full moon rituals but these things are openly advertised here. So I mainly do my own thing.
No need to apologize! I was very curious. I attended Muin Mound for several years before moving up to the Watertown area and founding Northern Rivers Protogrove. We mostly meet in Watertown and Adams. Next month we will have a gathering near Clayton if interested! I would like to explore Ogdensburg more. We’ve only driven through on our way to Ottawa. I love the North Country, but so many of us Pagans are spread out! It is hard to get together for some. 😦