Laura Tempest Zakroff
When the season turns toward Midsummer, I think of Pan, the satyr-shaped Greek god of nature, wild things and border places, shepherds and flocks, music and merriment. As spring rises into summer, there is a charge to the air that reminds us to live and to love. A song on the wind that calls us to go get out in the wild and find ourselves. In ancient times, you would not find Pan’s places of worship housed in grand formal temples. Instead his sacred spots could be found in locations of a liminal nature: groves and grottoes. Pan didn’t dwell in the city—you had to go out to the rural areas to find him. Nowadays, the trick isn’t so much about going out into wooded lands as it is about finding the heart of the wild within ourselves.
On the surface, Pan may seem to be a pretty simple deity to figure out. He’s got goat parts aplenty, has his signature flute on hand, and always seems in the mood for love. But dig a little deeper and you’ll see his inherent connection with nature and the rhythm of the land. He may be mischievous at times, to the point of being called a trickster. But it is not because of ego or from bravado—like other beings who receive the trickster label. Pan is a mixture of mayhem and melancholy, merriment and mysticism. His very name means “all.” A vessel of wisdom in his own way, Pan pushes those who encounter or call upon him to experience life more fully, more intimately. Rarely is that push a comfortable one, but there is much to learn in the process.
Note that we find Pan within the word panic—meaning stirred to a frenzy or causing terror—which has also long been an attribute of the god. This makes sense when you consider that Pan rules the borders between the wild lands and civilization. The further we step away from the light of the fire (our ordered world), the more we become fearful of the unknown, the beings that lurk in the dark, and the sounds they make.
So wait, why do a Midsummer ritual involving Pan? If you’re afraid of the dark, then there’s no better time of year to face it than when the nights are short. Understand that I’m talking about more than just physical darkness, but the shadow aspects of ourselves that we need to embrace. We can use the light of Midsummer to illuminate our paths and see ourselves more clearly. Who better to lead the way than a goat-footed god with a carnal understanding of what makes us both wild and wise?
Pan encourages us to embrace our bodies, to find pleasure in the physical world around us. He reminds us that sometimes we can live a little too much in our heads, and that we should embrace life with our whole being—mind, spirit, and body. The energy of the Summer Solstice calls us to tune in on being both physically and spiritually active, so this is an ideal time to work with Pan to encourage that growth.
For this ritual, we’re going to delve a bit into ecstatic rites by using movement to get us into our bodies. This is not about performing dance or looking pretty or coordinated—no one is judging you but you. (Pan will laugh both at and with you, regardless.) The goal is stop thinking so hard and feel through your body. If you have mobility issues, move as much as you feel comfortable with—even if it’s just tapping your foot or fingers.
You can also use trance meditation to transport yourself to a place where you can dance in spirit form, if physical movement is not an option for you.
Time of Day: I recommend performing this ritual within an hour of the impending sunset. It should be a sunny day so you can really tell the changing of the light.
Location: Can be indoors or out. Make sure it’s a space you can move around in without tripping or bumping into things. If you’re indoors, then the space needs to have windows that let in enough light.
Preparation
Dress: Loose, light attire, fit for freedom of movement. Some folks may opt for skyclad, but personally I like the additional action that fabric brings to dance. If you feel inspired, earlier in the day, collect flowers and greens that you can make into a wreath for your head. Before the ritual, freshen up with a quick shower and anoint your body with a favorite scent, or a soothing lotion if you have allergies to scent. The point is to activate more of your senses—through smell and touch.
Music: Choose some light and airy instrumental flute music to start off with, followed by a song or songs that have a good rhythm that make you want to really dance. Depending on your ability and stamina, you could choose one song, or go for a ten to fifteen minute stretch of songs. Listen to your body. Make sure it’s easy to access your music player/phone, to turn it on/off, etc.
Altar & Offerings:
If you have a statue of Pan, or something goaty, place that on the altar
A cup of libation for him—honey mead, wine, or juice
White or green candle
Incense blends: pine, cedar, balsam, or earthy musk scents
A fresh sprig of pine, cedar, or similar evergreen
A string of bell chimes
The Ritual
Prepare the space by making sure it’s clean and setting up your altar according to your path. If you have a specific way to craft your sacred space—by casting a circle or other method—do that now. Start the flute music.
(Shake the bells)
Pan, great goat-footed God of the wild, I call to you!
Being of borders, maker of music, lover of life,
Come share your ways of wisdom with your child!
(Light the incense)
Pan, the sound of your pipes fills the air and awakens the world.
Help me breathe in the winds of change.
(Light the candle)
Pan, may your laughter and wisdom illuminate this place.
Help me embrace both light and shadow.
(Raise the cup and take a sip, then hold it up)
Pan, I offer this libation in your honor. As it flows through me,
may it flow through you.
(If you’re outside, you can pour it on the earth. If you are indoors, do this after the ritual.)
(Pick up the sprig of pine)
Pan, you invigorate the earth with your touch.
(Touch it to your forehead)
May my mind be opened.
(Touch it to your heart)
May my heart find your beat.
(Touch it to your feet)
May my feet move to your rhythm.
(Put down sprig and start dance music)
IO Pan, I dance for you.
On this longest day,
IO Pan, I dance with you.
On this shortest night,
Pan, great god of all, come dance with me!
Start slowly moving your head from side to side to stretch your neck, move your shoulders back and forth, and allow your arms to move freely, all the way down to your hands. Next pick up and put down your feet, finding the rhythm and moving your weight from side to side. Focus on how it feels to move your body, and release any censoring thoughts from your mind. Just listen, feel, and channel the music. Be in your body and allow it to dance.
Once the music is finished, remain standing and take three slow deep breaths in and out. Listen to the world around you. Be present in your body as you feel your heart beating and limbs tingling. Face the altar and say:
Great God Pan, I thank you for sharing your ways with me. May your wisdom light the path before me as we descend into the dark half of the year. May the work of my mind, body, and spirit do you honor.
Conclude the ritual as your practice deems appropriate.
After Ritual Care: After you are done, be sure to hydrate properly. Drink some cool water, and have a light snack—perhaps dark chocolate and strawberries? (Bonus points if you’ve prepared or acquired strawberries dipped in chocolate.) Pay close attention to your dreams, and write down what you can remember in the morning.
Note: If you’ve never worked with Pan and would like to discover more about him, I highly recommend reading Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins. It’s an incredibly metaphysical story that gives one of the most spot-on depictions of Pan I’ve come across. Sometimes fiction is able to capture the core of reality better than any formal list of historical tidbits.