It’s the sun’s pinnacle: the longest day of the year, and the time when the summer reaches its full expression. Paradoxically, it’s also the time when the days begin once again to wane and the sun’s journey around the wheel reaches Cancer, a water sign and the only sign ruled by the moon. In the words of author Claire Nahmad in Earth Magic, “Cancer, the heavenly Crab, is a creature of the lunar tides that are the breath, in and out, of the great sea of all life, the boundless causal ocean that has ever been the symbol of the Great Mother.”
Not coincidentally, imagery related to summer—even in our contemporary, secular culture—is generally equal parts sunshine and water: warm, expansive brightness and cool, watery depths.
The crafts below will guide you to make beautiful, quintessential representations of the elements of fire and water. You can display them on your altar, and they can also be placed around a ritual circle at the south and west cardinal points (for fire and water, respectively).
Flower Petal “Bonfire” Candleholder
Time to complete: 2 to 3 hours (mostly drying time), plus 3 days for pressing the flower petals
Cost: $10.00 to $12.00
Supplies
Flower petals in fiery colors (I chose red dahlia petals and the colored, petal-like leaves of fuchsia and red bougainvilleas)
2 paper towels
A large book
A small, rounded, wide-topped, glass vase (approx. 4–5 inches tall)
Orange and red tissue paper
Flour
Water
A bowl
A paintbrush
Acrylic varnish
A small wreath made of sticks or twigs that will fit around the base of the vase (this can be made or purchased)
A tealight candle
Instructions: Lay the flower petals flat on a paper towel, and cover with another paper towel. Place the paper towels in the middle of a large book and close it, possibly piling a few other books or heavy items on top of it as well. Allow the pressed petals to dry for three days.
In the bowl, make a paste out of one part flour and two parts water. Paint this mixture onto the vase in sections, pasting pieces of torn orange and red tissue paper around the entire outside surface as you go. Allow to dry for an hour.
Repeat this process to paste the flower petals over the tissue paper as desired. (The idea is to create the feeling of stylized flames.) Allow to dry for another hour.
When it feels completely dry to the touch, paint the surface with the acrylic varnish to seal, and allow to dry.
Place the candleholder within the wreath to create the vibe and feeling of a mini bonfire. To use, place the tealight in the candleholder and light. For rituals and simple seasonal décor, you can arrange fresh flowers and herbs in the wreath. (I did this with lavender, geranium, and sage last Midsummer, and it was lovely.)
Mason Jar Ocean “Globe”
The same concept as a snow globe, this homemade jar ocean “globe” will bless your altar with a little splash of a clear tide pool or sparkling ocean wave.
Time to complete: Less than 15 minutes
Cost: $3.00 to $5.00
Supplies
Mason jar with lid (I used an 8 oz. jar)
Distilled or reverse-osmosis water (other water may yellow with time)
Clear, blue, purple, and/or lavender glass marbles
Optional: One or more found seashells (do not purchase unless you trust the source, as commercially available seashells may have been cruelly harvested)
Instructions: Making sure all the supplies are very clean, begin by placing your seashells (if you have any) in the bottom of the jar. Then fill a quarter to a half of the jar the rest of the way with marbles. Pour the water over the top, leaving a half inch to an inch of air at the top of the jar, then seal tightly with the lid. Flip the jar upside down, so that the lid is on the bottom. (That’s it!)
Before displaying it on your altar, I recommend placing it on a paper towel for at least 15 minutes or so to make absolutely sure that it’s sealed tightly (and therefore not leaking).
Water and Fire Success Ritual
for the Summer Solstice
With the sun and summer at their peak, Litha can be an ideal time to work success magic. This ritual draws upon the power of water and the moon to cleanse away any blocks to success, and then the power of fire and the sun to infuse you with the bright, blazing energy of success. It can be done alone or in a group.
After casting a circle, invoke the watery aspects of the moon by saying something like:
Glowing Lady of the night,
Matron of the silver light,
As you attend the ocean’s tide,
Please come to us and be our guide.
What does not serve, please clear away,
So that success can light our way.
Just as rushing waves flow free,
We thank you well, so mote it be.
If you’re in a circle with others, pass a chalice or bottle of blessed water around the circle in a counterclockwise direction, instructing each participant to cleanse her personal energy and clear out blocks to success by anointing her forehead, throat, and heart center. Complete the circle by doing so yourself. (Or, if you’re solitary, just anoint yourself.)
Next, invoke the fiery, life-giving properties of the sun by saying something like:
Bright and blazing God of sun,
Lord of all and everyone,
Please come to us and share your light
That we may shine with all that’s bright.
May we walk a road that’s blessed,
As you pave our way with great success.
By your rays so heavenly,
We thank you well, so mote it be.
Lift the bonfire candleholder (leaving the wreath on the altar or in the circle). Pass it around the circle in a clockwise direction, instructing each participant to hold it in both hands and visualize a sphere of bright sunlight completely surrounding and encompassing her, infusing her with the lucky energy of success. Finish with yourself.
You may want to continue your Midsummer ritual with songs and chanting. Then give thanks to the moon and the sun, and open the circle in the usual way.
For Further Reading
Nahmad, Claire. Earth Magic: A Wisewoman’s Guide to Herbal, Astrological, & Other Folk Wisdom. Rochester, VT: Destiny Books, 1994.