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.
Claims have been made that the last of the cunning-folk passed their magical knowledge to Wiccans and other modern ‘witches’, thereby maintaining a continuous link with the magical as well as the herbal traditions of the past. And fundamentally, there is little intrinsic difference between an aspiring conjuror today learning practical invocations from internet grimoires and a 19th century cunning-man who gained his knowledge from second-hand books. Modernity and cunning-folk are not incompatible concepts.
Claims have been made that the last of the cunning-folk passed their magical knowledge to Wiccans and other modern witches , thereby maintaining a continuous link with the magical as well as the herbal traditions of the past. One reason for this is these bottles were not general preventative measures, but rather created to fight against a current bewitching attack from a specific witch.
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.
Witch Bottle
A witch bottle is a Charm used in folk Magic to protect against evil spirits and magical attack, and to counteract spells cast by witches. Witch bottles were prevalent in Elizabethan England, especially in East Anglia, where superstitions and beliefs in witches were strong, although their use has continued into modern times.
The witch bottle was a little flask about three inches high and made of green or blue glass. Some were larger and rounder, about five to nine inches in height; these were known as Greybeards or Bellarmines. The Bellarmines were named after a fearsome Catholic inquisitor who persecuted Protestants and was called a Demon by his victims. The Greybeards and Bellarmines were made of brown or gray stoneware, glazed with Salt and embossed with bearded faces. Both the salt and severe face were believed to scare off evil.
The witch bottle was prepared magically by a witch or Cunning Man or woman, who placed into it the victim’s urIne, Hair and Nails, or red thread from Spirit – Traps. When the bottle was buried beneath the house hearth or threshold, the spell was nullified and the witch supposedly suffered great discomfort. Sometimes the bottles were thrown into a fire; when they exploded, the spell was broken or the witch was supposedly killed. If urine was used as a counter-charm, then the witch became unable to urinate; thus, she was exposed for her maleficia. Witch bottles were especially used to nullify the Evil Eye.
Witch bottles were hung in chimneys as charms to prevent witches from flying down and entering a house. They were also hung near doors and windows and plastered into walls above door lintels to protect the threshold. Commercial buildings, rail lines, bridges and other structures were often given witch bottles as a general prophylactic against evil and disaster.
Joseph Glanvil described the making of a witch bottle in his book Sadducimus Triumphatus—or Full and Plain Evidence Concerning Witches and Apparitions (1681). According to Glanvil, the wife of William Brearly, a priest and fellow of Christ’s College, Cambridge, became ill when the couple took lodgings in Suffolk County. She was haunted by an apparition in the shape of a bird. A cunning man prescribed a witch bottle containing her urine and pins, needles and nails. The bottle was to be corked and set by the fire. The evil was removed, and the Wizard who bewitched her allegedly died.
England’s great cunning man James Murrell was famous for his witch bottles. Some were made of Iron. According to lore, the local blacksmith had great difficulty in forging the first iron bottle for Murrell, who had to say a prayer in order for the fire to draw. Another story holds that a boy was made to drink beer from this first bottle without knowing what it was. When he learned it was a witch bottle, he went home in dread and died.
As Murrell often instructed his clients to heat his witch bottles in the fire, the blacksmith wisely made a tiny hole in the top of the iron ones so that steam could escape and the bottles would not lethally explode. The hissing steam made Murrell think that the spirits of the witches he was battling were escaping.
A witch bottle cure from Murrell follows along the lines of this story from the 1850s:
A young woman discovered an old Gypsy in a barn drinking beer left by the harvesters. She ordered the old woman out and was cursed by her. Almost immediately, the girl began having fits and acting alternately like a CAt and a dog.
Her family consulted Murrell, who prepared a witch bottle containing the girls’ urine and blood, herbs and pins. The bottle was heated in a fire in a darkened room with locked doors. The family was instructed to remain silent or the counter-spell would not work. Soon footsteps sounded outside the door, then furious knocking. A woman’s voice said, “For God’s sake, stop. You’re killing me.” Instantly the witch bottle exploded, and the voice faded away. The girl recovered. In the morning, the Gypsy’s badly burned body was discovered in the road three miles away.
SEE ALSO:
- Biddy Early
- Witchcraft Glossary
- Witchcraft
FURTHER READING:
- Maple, Eric. The Dark World of Witches. New York: A.S. Barnes & Co., 1962.
- Pennick, Nigel. Secrets of East Anglican Magic. London: Robert Hale, 1995.
Alan Massey has demonstrated that in virtually all cases where pins or nails have been found in bottles they have been deliberately bent prior to inclusion in the bottle.
**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 "Harnessing the energy of the summer solstice in Wiccan witchcraft"
- 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.