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Yasmine Galenorn is an author with several titles in print from Llewellyn Publishers. For more information about Yasmine click here.

Several years back, I wrote this ritual and we performed it on Midsummer's Night Eve. It was wonderful, magickal and strong. I will someday include this in a book, so it's not for the publishing, but I hope you enjoy performing it and that it helps you tune into the faerie energy. It works best with a larger group (at least 15) of people. Sections of this are taken from my book, Embracing The Moon, and may not be reproduced without credit given. ~Yasmine Galenorn

Midsummer Ritual  Faerie Magic Ritual:     Participants needed to lead ritual: FQ: Fey Queen P: Pan D: Dryad S: Salamander U: Undine SY: Sylph Two Drummers       This ritual is to take place outside, in an open area with woods around. The attendees, other than the participants, should be out in the woods, telling stories and reciting poetry for Litha. In the open area, the circle should be laid out in foxglove and other summer flowers, and there will be a foxglove bedecked throne to the southwest, and a bonfire laid ready in the center of the circle. The Four Elemental Quarters will each have an altar laid out, preferably on a stump of wood. Salamander's altar should have material for laying flame to the already prepared and ready-to-go bonfire. Near dusk, the four faeries; Pan and Fey Queen will slip away to prepare for the ritual. After dressing in appropriate garb and masks, they privately invoke the Faerie energy and then, using a conch shell, signal the leader of the Story Circle. S/he then winds up things and reads "The Stolen Child" by William Butler Yeats as the last piece for the evening. During this time, the four faeries slip through the trails and break into the Story Circle, poking, prodding and leading the participants back to the ritual area. The Fey Queen is hiding in a secluded area to the East. Pan hides in the woods to the North. When everyone is in circle, allow a few minutes to 'settle' the energy. Then, the Dryad leads the group in casting the circle. D: We cast a circle, together, using song to build the power. Please join hands and join voices to build the energy and let it rise. We will sing the chant fourteen times. As we sing, raise a circle of green and purple light around this space. (everyone hold hands and use the chant "We Are A Circle" to raise the energy: We are a circle, within a circle, with no beginning and never ending&ldots;.repeat) D: Sit now and be comfortable in this place. Faeries go around circle, encouraging people to sit in the grass.   Dryad invoke Earth/North through chant & dance: circle the group with the dance to circle the energy       Mountains rising to the sky Fir and cedar, oak and thorn Ravines deep-green in forest's night Dusty path old and worn Powers of earth I call to thee Powers of earth I call to thee       Caverns dark and crystals bright Meadows filled with wildflowers Maple willow bracken ash Fern-shaded passion's bowers Powers of earth I call to thee Powers of earth I call to thee Ancient ones of green and gold Of dirt and root and bone Encircle now this sacred space With the strength of sacred stone   Sylph invoke Air/East through chant & dance: circle the group with the dance to circle the energy   Rising wind and cool night breeze Hurricane and vaporous clouds The tingling hint of dawn's first light Mist boiling in a milky shroud Powers of air I call to thee Powers of air I call to thee   The first squall of autumn's gale The gentle zephyr of spring's new breeze The chill blast of winter's breath The whispering heard through summer trees Powers of air I call to thee Powers of air I call to thee   Ancient ones of blue and white Of breeze and calm and storm Encircle now this sacred space Winds, keep us safe from harm       Salamander invoke Fire/Faerie Fire/South through chant & dance: circle the group with the dance to circle the energy   Sparkles of the faeries' flame Will o'the Wisps on summer nights The golden glow of forest green Glimmering in the sunlight Powers of flame I call to thee Powers of flame I call to thee   Balefire crackling on the hill The flickering light of candle's flame Passion drumming in the night Lava flowing wild, untamed Powers of flame I call to thee Powers of flame I call to thee   Ancient ones of red and gold Of sparkle, crackle, trance Encircle now this sacred space And lead us in the dance     Undine invoke Water/West through chant & dance: circle the group with the dance to circle the energy   Raging river running wild Grotto's pool of deepest green Ocean crashing on the shore Its hidden depths yet to be seen Powers of water I call to thee Powers of water I call to thee   Azure lake with flashing fish The trail of a single tear Raindrops splashing to the earth The perfect scrying mirror Powers of water I call to thee Powers of water I call to thee Ancient ones of blue and green Of snow and rain and sleet Encircle now this sacred space With your mysteries from the deep

All: Enter these enchanted woods, You who dare.   Four faeries meet in center to call Fey Queen:   D: Lady of the ancient grove Lady of the mystic beasts Lady of the milk-white stag Lead our revels and our feasts   SY: Lady of the silver moon Lady of the golden sun Lady of the whistling wind Let our magic rites be done   FD:Lady of the fire-fly Lady of the faerie's flame Lady of the crackling hearth Lead us in our rites untamed   U: Lady of the raging rivers Lady of the sea-blue foam Lady of the crystal snow Lead us now into your realm The Faeries race into the hidden grove to the East and lead the Fey Queen back to her flower be-decked throne   FQ: Down in the wild wood under the trees In the light the moon and the whistling breeze We have called you here to our faerie realm To dance and to sing, to play and to tease.   Welcome my fair friends, into our land Where the touch of a leaf is the touch of a hand Here you will see what has n're been seen Here you will join our reveling band.   Into our ring dances the Goat-Footed God He will dance you around be you nimble or clod He will bring you to me for my blessing this night If you shy away my faeries will prod. Faeries run to Fey Queen's throne--excited     D: Call him now, the great god Pan SY: Be he goat or be he man! S: Summon him from ancient trees U: Let our voices echo on night breeze! FQ: Then let it be done. Lord Pan of forest and field, I cry To your Lady's side I bid you fly! (To circle) Join me in calling the Great Pan! All: Pan! Pan! Pan! Pan! Pan! Pan! Pan! Pan! Pan! etc. Pan slowly emerge from the wood, then quickly run into the center of the circle. P: (kneel at Fey Queen's side) My Lady, you have called. I have answered. FQ: Welcome, Lord of Forest and Field. (kisses Pan) Now fly around the circle In turn, bring each to me Dance them here to my side Join our revelry. Pan dances each person around circle to bring them to the Faerie Queen where they receive her blessing for the coming season. During this time, the faeries get everyone to clap and chant "Dance, dance..." and at the same time, they are tweaking, poking, bothering the other ritualists. Pan returns each person to their place, then dances the next person around circle. After everyone has received their blessing, then Pan return with two Drummers to the FQ's feet. Salamander gets ready torch by fire. FQ: You have joined our realm for a brief touch of magic. Now join us for a night of revelry and dance. Let the balefire burn and the night be filled with the sound of thunder! Drummers begins drumming while the Faeries (starting with the dryad, lead the circle in a spiral dance around the Faerie Queen and her drummers until the energy peaks. The ritual will then turn into drumming and dancing for the rest of the evening.   Faerie Costumes:   Dryad: greens/browns w/gold accents woodsy/earthy mask jewelry should be bone, crystal, gold, gold bells, etc. staff decorated with moss, crystals, bones, green/brown scarves, ferns, etc.   Sylph: white/lavender w/pale blue accents feathery/airy mask jewelry should be white/blue feathers, silver, beadwork, silver bells, etc. staff decorated with feathers, white/lavender scarves, baby's breath, etc.   Salamander: red/orange w/peridot accents fiery/sparkling mask jewelry should be sparkling gems (garnet, citrine, peridot); gold, gold bells staff decorated with clear stones, red & yellow scarves, red roses, etc.   Undine: blue/purple w/sea green accents watery mask jewelry should be shells, coral, sand-dollars, beadwork, silver, etc. staff decorated with sea shells, sea weed, beadwork, blue/purple scarves   Fey Queen: green/purple w/gold & silver accents Peacock Faerie headdress w/veil to neck jewelry should be peridot, amethyst, gold & silver staff with feathers, shells, moss, sheer scarves and lots of foxglove   Pan: fuzzy legged pants  horned headdress gold hoop earring ivy wreath for head gold & silver bell armbands