Priestess:

"Tonight the Wheel once again turns. The days are long, in this, the full triumphant power of the energy of the Sun. It is a time of fulfillment, a time of festival and of rejoicing, as the Earth Mother who receives that energy blooms with the beauty that will become the fruit of the harvest. Shall this joy go on? Shall the light increase forever? No! The time of waxing is at an end, the time of waning is at hand. The energy of the mighty Bright Lord must go into the form of the Mother of corn and grain. And die in order to feed Earth's children, to become the seed of a new cycle. And so we must pause to reflect, even in our triumph of Midsummer. We must look for an inner illumination of the profound meaning of our times of fulfillment. For without meaning, growth and purpose, fulfillment is emptiness."

Priest:

"Hearty and powerful Lord of the Sun, I ask your vibrant presence now. I exalt in the fullness of your strength, now may I share in your energy. Flow through this your Priest and charge this circle with light, vitality and power. As it is willed, so mote it be."

Light gold candle.

Priest:

"I come to you as Lord of the Sun, brightly shining, full of power and life. For this first half of the year I have reigned, ever growing in strength and increasing in light. In my light an my desire the seeds are planted, nurtured in her body, and in their season will bear fruit. Tonight is the climax of my desire. Come to me, my love, I rejoice in your beauty...even though I know the sacrifice that will be required of me!"

Priestess:

"Threefold Goddess, Mother of the Earth, Lady of the Moon, I feel your presence all around me...you who are of life death and rebirth. I find you in all the forms of Earth, I see you shine forth from the eyes of my brothers and sister, and I feel the warmth of your love that lives always within me. Let now that love grow and fill this priestess and through me flow, that I may give clarity and form to the message of the Sun in the fullness of his cycle."

Light silver candle.

Priestess:

"I came to you as the maiden, beauty of the crescent moon and of new beginnings. As the mother, power of the full moon and nurturer of all things both material and spiritual. As the Crone beauty of the waxing crescent, of desires past and awareness of the ending, of crops harvested and fields now bare to lie in rest until a new time for sowing, of the true wisdom of experience, the quiet knowing within the soul that the body grows weary and strength declines - but with sure awareness of the eternal cycle that death brings new life. The time has come, my Lord. Are you ready for your sacrifice?"

Pull Priestess hood. Priestess and Priest light spirit candles with god and goddess candles then places gold and silver candle in holders.

Priest:

"My light must now decrease that fruits may be brought to harvest, that the endless cycle of seasons may proceed in accordance with the order of the Universe."

Priestess:

"Just as the Sun must set, before it can rise again, know that all that increases must eventually decrease, that which is fulfilled will lead to another matter which is unfulfilled."

"Nothing is static," (Pull Priest's hood) "all must change that you can grow in mind, body, soul, and spirit."

Wrap the candle with a leaf put a small amount of dirt inside the leaf.

Candle lighting from spirit flame. All in attendance

Priestess:

"Come with us now, all of you, three times around the circle, as you meditate on your intent with the flame of spirit and cast it into my fiery womb, asking now that in your dreams this night, you might find illumination and growth in awareness. As it is willed, so mote it be!"

Group chants together

"Thrice around the circle turn

in her womb our seed does burn

Bring forth the harvest grown

So we shall reap what we have sown."

Priest:

"I come to you as the Dark King. My bright aspect must now be sacrificed to the corn, to the fulfillment of the harvest. My light will slowly decline as the days grow shorter and the dark nights longer, and as her body swells with the bounty of the Earth that I have helped her create. Soon the harvest time will come, and that which has grown will die. She will follow me into the dark world where all in proper season, She will bring me forth once again as the Sun child. Know then, that all things have a season and a purpose. I go gladly into the darkness, without doubt or fear, for as surely as the sun sets, the Sun shall rise again!"

Priestess takes off her hood. Priest takes off his hood.

Priestess:

"Let us not go into the darkness too soon, my Lord. We understand and accept what will come, but this night my body is ful of your vitality. The quickening has come and passed, and I feel the life that grows within my womb, and I delight in your brightness. This is the season of light and warmth and joy. Let's make the most of it while it is here. (Kiss) Let the feast begin!"

Bless the cakes and wine for sharing

Priestess:

"Threefold Goddess, Maiden, Mother, Crone, you are the cycle of our lives. We live in you and you live within us. Though we bid you now farewell, we know that your love dwells always within. May we ever radiate that love. Hail, farewell and Blessed Be!"

Priest:

"Mighty Father of our vitality and fire of our spirit, thy truth and wisdom has brought us illumination. Your strength in sacrifice inspires us to meet all aspects of the cycle of life in emulation of your courage. We thank you for your presence in this rite. Hail, farewell and Blessed Be!"