The summer solstice, also known as Midsummer or Litha, is a significant time in the Wiccan calendar. This pagan holiday celebrates the longest day of the year and marks the height of the sun's power. Wiccans believe that the energy during this time is at its peak, making it ideal for magic and spiritual rites. Here are twelve festivities and customs that Wiccans practice during the summer solstice: 1. **Bonfires**: Lighting bonfires is a common tradition during the summer solstice. The flames represent purification and transformation.
When holding the deck in hand, you feel a substantial difference that usually only shows up in decks with larger-sized cards. I’ll note that it didn’t hinder me and my tiny hands from shuffling the deck because while the cardstock is hefty, the cards are standard sized and fit easily in my palms.
I ll note that it didn t hinder me and my tiny hands from shuffling the deck because while the cardstock is hefty, the cards are standard sized and fit easily in my palms. I ll note that it didn t hinder me and my tiny hands from shuffling the deck because while the cardstock is hefty, the cards are standard sized and fit easily in my palms.
The flames represent purification and transformation. Wiccans gather around the fire to perform rituals and celebrate the turning of the Wheel of the Year. 2.
Tarot of the QTPOC Deck Review: Modern Witch Tarot
The Modern Witch Tarot is a fresh take on an ancient tradition.
It all began with the creation of the Ten of Swords card which was posted to Twitter by Lisa Sterle and immediately sparked the interest of tarot readers everywhere. It was clear even then there was something special about this new relatable rendition of the tarot.
What sold this project to me was Sterle’s amazing version of The Magician card featuring a young Black girl- something I’d frankly never seen in before. This was just around the beginning of the indie tarot deck boom, and we were yet to be spoiled by an influx of inclusive decks that crowdsourcing made possible.
Since then Sterle’s tarot deck has become an incredibly inclusive fresh take on a tradition that’s been exclusionary to many folks. In the Modern Witch Tarot, more folks are able to see themselves in the cards, building deeper relationships with their practice. Sterle intended this deck to be a source of power for women and girls, clearly evident in the art choices she makes throughout the deck.
The idea that there’s this wealth of power within you, that you just need to trust yourself to tap into, is an inspiring thought that also definitely ties into feminism for me. — An Interview with Lisa Sterle (Liminal 11)
Aces, from the Modern Witch Tarot
Look & Feel:
The production quality of this deck is outstanding.
It comes with a gorgeous velvet tarot bag that would be almost unnecessary if it wasn’t embroidered so wonderfully because the box holding the deck is rock solid. The colorfully illustrated, two-piece box is blessedly easy to open and close and securely holds both the deck and guidebook with no issue. It’s got wonderful details, with the interior of both pieces covered in suit symbols- it’s details like this that charm, and you’ll find more attention to detail throughout the deck itself.
The deck’s guidebook is sized to fit in the box which y’all know by now is always a point of hallelujah for me. While the hardcover (yes, a hardcover LWB) is full color, the pages are black and white which doesn’t take away from the whole package in any way.
The card stock is #thicc.
When holding the deck in hand, you feel a substantial difference that usually only shows up in decks with larger-sized cards. I’ll note that it didn’t hinder me and my tiny hands from shuffling the deck because while the cardstock is hefty, the cards are standard sized and fit easily in my palms.
My one qualm with the card stock is that its glossy- but that is a teeny tiny qualm. Especially since that was probably an artistic choice to really bring out the pop art/comic book color palette and style Sterle uses throughout the deck. The gloss makes it so the cards sometimes stick together but because of the thickness of the card stock, they are easy to separate with little issue. Honestly, not enough of an issue to worry about it and with regular use, that stickiness should dissipate if not completely disappear.
All in all, the quality of this deck is undeniable and unquestionably intentional. You get the sense that there was thought in every little detail, which I can’t help but deeply appreciate.
a selection of favorite cards, from the Modern Witch Tarot
Imagery & Content:
The art speaks for itself.
It’s gorgeous, color rich, and modern with a touch of vintage charm. Mixed in with known tarot symbols are modern accoutrements like cellphones and laptops. These additions don’t take away from the card meanings, if anything I find they add to the cards.
I think it’s brilliant that a new generation of tarot readers will be able to access the tradition with symbology that looks like their reality, not just those of the past. That mix of modern and traditional makes this a unique deck to read with. I can’t help but wish that I had a deck like this when I first started tarot- honestly my resistance to the RWS might have been substantially eased had I been able to see more of myself in the cards.
And that’s really the core of the Modern Witch Tarot, for women and femmes to see themselves represented in the cards; a deck that looks like its readers- across ages, bodies, races, and gender expressions. Sterle makes an interesting choice with gender, I noted. This deck is an ode to the feminine- all expressions of it, including non-binary iterations. It is an intentional prioritization and I don’t think that Sterle ever makes that ambiguous in any part of this deck.
In the description of the court cards, Sterle only uses ‘she’ and ‘they’ form of pronouns with the Page & Queen referred to with ‘she’ and the Knight and King referred to as ‘they’. Not to say that non-women or non-femmes can’t read with the deck, not at all, just pointing out that there is a particular project in the Modern Witch Tarot: a spotlight on the power of women and femmes to reflect and affect both their destinies and that of the world.
art that asks questions, from the Modern Witch Tarot
I do have to admit that there were cards that I didn’t at all take to. Particularly the Strength card. Seeing Black or dark-skinned femmes of color in this card is very “florals for spring, how groundbreaking” for me. Devil Wears Prada references aside, it’s actually a pretty disturbing trend in tarot decks that I’ve painfully noticed.
In fact, I think I’ll have to write up a post examining this issue across decks more closely because it really is shocking how often this happens-look through your own collection and see- even with the best of intentions. The conflation of Black women and Strength (and also the suits of Wands and Pentacles) stemming from the “strong black woman” stereotype is harmful. It dehumanizes us, robs us of the space to be vulnerable and positions us as the world’s burden bearers.
I know it may sound like those of us asking for representation are constantly moving the finish line but is that really a bad thing?
How far is too far to ask for our humanity to be represented without harm? We’re slowly moving from whitewashing and tokenism, and now that we’re here it’s still imperative to improve. The work is not done until it’s done.
Despite my visceral reaction to the Strength card, I will say that Sterle does include cards that rarely if ever have Black or dark-skinned femmes like The Magician and Temperance, to name just a few. In fact, it was The Magician that first drew me to this deck- a version of Black girl magic that didn’t feel token or gimmicky. I’m glad that there are more decks working to be inclusive- I am also asking that creators continue to do better with nuances.
a selection of the Courts, from the Modern Witch Tarot
It’s gorgeous, color rich, and modern with a touch of vintage charm. Mixed in with known tarot symbols are modern accoutrements like cellphones and laptops. These additions don’t take away from the card meanings, if anything I find they add to the cards.
**Circling**: Wiccans form circles during solstice celebrations to create a sacred space. The circle represents continuity, protection, and the unity of all present. 3. **Sunrise/Sunset rituals**: Wiccans often mark the exact moments of sunrise and sunset during the solstice. These rituals serve as a way to honor the sun and its power. 4. **Flower crowns**: Wearing flower crowns is a popular custom during the solstice. The crowns symbolize the abundance of nature and the beauty of the season. 5. **Outdoor rituals**: Since the summer solstice is associated with nature, many Wiccan celebrations take place outdoors. Forests, meadows, and beaches are common locations for solstice rituals. 6. **Offerings to nature**: Wiccans make offerings to nature, such as fruits, flowers, or herbs, as a way to express gratitude and connect with the earth's energy. 7. **Dancing and singing**: Celebrations often involve dancing around the bonfire and singing songs to honor the sun and the seasonal energy. This is believed to raise energy and connect with the divine. 8. **Feasting**: Wiccans enjoy a feast during the solstice to celebrate the abundance of the season. It is customary to include fruits, vegetables, and herbs that are in season. 9. **Divination**: Wiccans use divination tools such as tarot cards or scrying mirrors to gain insight into the future during the solstice. The heightened energy of the solstice is believed to enhance psychic abilities. 10. **Herb gathering**: The summer solstice is a time when many herbs are at their peak potency. Wiccans often gather herbs for magical purposes during this time, as they believe the plants hold increased energy. 11. **Sabbat rituals**: Wiccans perform sabbat rituals during the summer solstice. These rituals may involve invoking deities associated with the sun and fertility, as well as performing spells for growth and abundance. 12. **Drumming**: Drumming is a common practice during solstice celebrations. The rhythmic beats create a trance-like state, allowing participants to connect more deeply with the spiritual energy of the season. These twelve festivities and customs of Wicca on the summer solstice highlight the various ways in which Wiccans celebrate and honor the sun, nature, and the turning of the Wheel of the Year. The solstice is seen as a time of power, transformation, and abundance, making it a significant and joyous occasion in the Wiccan calendar..
Reviews for "The importance of fire in Wiccan rituals on the summer solstice"
- John - 2 stars - While I appreciate the effort to shed light on Wiccan customs, this book fell short for me. The author seemed to have a limited understanding of the subject matter, resulting in a shallow exploration of the festivities. The information provided was not well-researched and lacked depth, making the content feel superficial. I was hoping for a more comprehensive and detailed guide to Wiccan customs on the summer solstice, but sadly, this book didn't deliver.
- Emma - 1 star - I was excited to learn more about Wiccan customs on the summer solstice, but this book left me disappointed. The writing style was confusing and hard to follow, making it difficult for me to grasp the concepts being discussed. Additionally, the author seemed biased towards their own interpretation of Wicca, which made the book feel more like a personal opinion rather than an objective exploration of the topic. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking an informative and well-written guide on Wiccan customs.
- Sarah - 2 stars - As someone with a genuine interest in Wiccan customs, I was expecting a comprehensive and engaging read. Unfortunately, this book fell short of my expectations. The content felt repetitive, lacking in substance, and failed to provide any new insights or perspectives into Wicca on the summer solstice. I found myself struggling to stay engaged and ended up feeling like I wasted my time. There are far better resources available for those interested in learning about Wiccan customs on this sacred day.