A Ritual to Sol, Sun Queen By Drea Bradley

Drea wrote this ritual as an alternative to the usual Beltane rites. With a little rewording, you can still perform it for a couple of weeks after Beltane. Generally, in most cultures, the sun is seen as a masculine entity, but there are instances of solar goddesses too. Sol is one such goddess, and is found in Norse myth. This whole ritual has a Norse flavour.

A red candle (unlit) in addition to usual altar candles. This should stand in a cauldron with water in the bottom, or some other receptacle to hold water.

'We are gathered here tonight to welcome and be blessed by the sun, which rises in the renewed strength of its summer glory at Beltane. The sun which lights the days and warms the nights of summer, has the power to scour or sustain, to blight or to bless, to guide or confuse. This night, we look to Sol, her manifestation as the source of light, to help us find the light within ourselves.

Those of you who share this aim and wish to walk purposefully into the presence of our sun mother gather now and join this rite. Those who wish to walk no further down this path, leave now with my blessing.'

Take your athame, and exorcise the water:

'In the names of Odin, Balder, Frey and Thor,
Into this water I direct my might,
That it will be pure and clean,
In the service of the gods
As I do will, so mote it be'

Again, using your athame, bless the salt;

'Here is salt,
Salt is life,
To clean this place,
Free from strife.'

Sprinkle some salt into the water. Using the athame, focus your energy into the chalice then stir clockwise, saying:

'In the name of those who dwell within, earth and water, I combine thee, into a sacred substance, which shall bless the boundaries of this temple and all that resides within.'

Sprinkle from the chalice over the altar and tools, then walk the circle and sprinkle the sacred fluid around its furthest edges.

Then pass the chalice on.

Sprinkle each person present with the sacred fluid and bless them, saying:

'In the name of those who dwell within you are blessed.'

Use the athame to draw a circle round the boundaries of the temple, saying:

'With this blade, I cast a circle.
A meeting place of trust and joy,
A boundary between the mundane world and the hidden realms of magic,
A guardian and protection for those who will work within it.
This circle I consecrate in the names of Sol and Balder,
As I do will, so mote it be.
Blesses be.

Kneel before the altar and light all candles, but for the central red candle. Say:

'With all my might, I draw into these candles that which emanates from the sacred source of all light and heat, the great Sun, Lady Sol, who illuminates our days and warms our skin. I bring this light to illuminate our rite.'

Then move around the circle lighting the candles in each quarter saying at each;

'Here do I bring light and air in at the east, to illuminate our temple and give it the breath of life.'
'Here do I bring light and air in at the south, to illuminate our temple and give it the warmth of spirit.'
'Here do I bring light and air in at the west, to illuminate our temple and give it a centre of feeling.'
'Here do I bring light and air in at the north, to illuminate our temple and build it in strength.'

Go to the east, raise arms, and say:

'In the direction of the East Wind,
Bringer of clarity,
I call the Bull of Briedford,
Guardian of the east,
To witness our rite
And to guard our circle.'

Go to the south, raise arms and say:

'In the direction of the South Wind,
Bringer of kindness
I call the Rock Giant of Reykjanes,
Guardian of the south,
To witness our rite
And to guard our circle.'

Go to the west, raise arms, and say:

'In the direction of the West Wind,
Bringer of calm,
I call the Bird of Eyjafjord,
Guardian of the west,
To witness our rite
And to guard our circle.'

Go to the north, raise arms, and say:

'In the direction of the North Wind,
Bringer of decisiveness,
I call the Dragon of Vopnafjord,
Guardian of the north,
To witness our rite
And to guard our circle.'

In the centre:

I call upon Odin,
Shaman King, To guide our spirits and
Inspire this rite.

I call Frigg,
Sky Queen,
To watch over our spirits and
Shelter our circle.

Stand in the centre, and say:

'Our temple is made; we are between the worlds
Out of time, beyond the mundane, in the world of magics.
Our ritual has begun.'

Say:

On the altar is a red candle, set in a cauldron of water. The candle represents Sol, the Sun Goddess. Currently, she rests below the horizon, regaining her strength, ready to light a new day. By her side, rests her consort Balder, Lord of Light. When she rises, he carries her light, bringing it forth for us to share. The light of Sol carries with it the blessings of many gods; she shines with their glory. Let us call to her and wake her, and invite Balder to bring forth her light to create the dawn.'

Place the candle in its receptacle in the centre of the circle:

'May Balder give us his brilliance,
May the light of Sol bless us,
May Tyr, the bright warrior,
With the might of his shining sword,
Ward and watch over us,
May Odin endow us with the wisdom
To comprehend the mysteries of being,
May Freya bring us her verdant growth
And bounteous gifts to come.
Hlin, thrice gentle and fair goddess,
Your face shining in comely beauty and compassion,
Draw near to us and give us comfort.'

All together, repeat:

'Draw near to us and give us comfort.'

Group now chants and raises power together, circling around the unlit red candle, which is placed in the centre of the circle.

'Hail, mighty Sol, source of all life,
Hail, mighty Balder, Lord of Light.'

Direct the power raised into the candle, and then light it, saying:

'Welcome Sol, to the day you have created anew for us in the heart of this dark night.'

'In the face of the sun
And in the eye of the light,
The eye of Sol,
The eye of the queen of Day,
The eye of the queen of Light,
The eye of the white god,
Pouring forth brilliant light upon us
Hail to thee, o glorious Sun,
Full of the power of life.
Hail and welcome.'

All together:

'Hail and welcome.'

With water from the cauldron containing the red candle, mark each participant with the laguz rune, saying:

'May this, the rune of flow and growth, rule your summer'

Each participant passes a hand over the flame and silently resolves something they will achieve during this summer. Before the goddess, this is a private promise, observed by none and binding on none but the individual.

Stand again around Sol's candle.

'Brilliance of Sol,
Hallowed balefire
Spreading light and warmth,
And driving out the darkness,
Expelling winter's cold,
And bringing us the welcome summer,
Guide us now on our journey within.'

Sit comfortably for the visualisation.

'Look at Sol's candle, and fix the image in your mind. Close your eyes, while holding the image of the flame. Breathe deeply, and allow yourself to relax.

Watch as the light of the flame expands to gently fill your vision, moving out to create a white circle inside which you sit. All other reality fades. Feel the warmth of the light, bathe in its glory as it washes over you and charges you with its radiance. Feel refreshed and renewed.

Gently, the white light fades to a yellow glow and moves away, leaving you sitting alone on a hill top watching a beautiful dawn. The sun is rising beyond a gentle fold in the land opposite, which is a lower neighbouring hill. As Sol rises, you hear nature welcome her; birds sing and trees rustle, bees buzz and everything stirs ready for the new day. Turn and look down into the valley behind you, which is still in the shadow of the hill upon which you sit. You sit in the morning sun looking into the night. Look again at the sun and feel her growing warmth, feel the power which each ray carries, the power to give life. All life is dependant on her; she is our source.

Stand up and begin to walk down into the shadow dusted valley below, walking slowly as the rays of the sun roll down and sweep clear the shadows to warm your path. On the hillside is a wood, still dark now but with light spreading through the branches to illuminate the glades and clearings within.

At the edge of the wood stands Balder, the white god, lord of light and of early summer. At the height of his power, he is masculine, virile and radiant. He smiles at the new sun as it washes over him. He is attended by wood sprites, who dress him with leaves and greenery ready for a celebration to come.

Follow him as he walks down the hillside path towards the valley bottom. He shines with a verdant green light and, as you watch, his feet wake the earth. As he reaches a more level path, you become aware of the sound of murmuring water over pebbles. The newly risen sun warms the stones of a small bridge, which crosses a river meandering along the valley bottom. As you look over the bridge, on the other side lies a village just waking to the dawn. Watch as doors open and people emerge. They have been waiting, sitting up in silence to welcome Balder and Sol's glory to the valley.

At mid-summer, Balder will give his life willingly to bless the land, pierced by a mistletoe dart. But today he is the King, and the village celebrates his reign and his union with Sol. There will be dancing and feasting, May is his month and he glories in the adoration of the people of this, his valley.

As you watch the rays of the sun dance on the bridge and begin to shimmer into a human form, you recognise this as the translucent shape of a woman, with flowing golden hair and gleaming bronzed skin. She is radiance. She is the dawn. She is Sol the Sun Goddess. As she moves and walks over the bridge, sparkles fill the air behind her like a train to her sun bright gown.

The people of the village celebrate the coming of Sol and Balder, in trust and wonder. They have decorated their homes and streets. Balder has crossed the bridge into the village and people gather round him singing and throwing cherry blossom. Sol walks among these people, but they don't see her, only you do. Follow her as she walks through the village, watch as she blesses the village with her light.

Then she glances over her shoulder and looks into your eyes. The world stops and you walk towards her light. She moves you into a place of glory outside of space and time.

Walk for a time with Sol in the landscape of her dawn. Ask her questions, and tell her what you need her to bless with her life-giving force to bring fruit to your desires this summer.

Now you are drawn back by the sound of drumming. Balder's dance continues in the town, now fully bathed in sunlight. Morris dancing and the hobby horse await Sol's presence. She leaves you and moves on to join her consort at the village celebration.

You walk to the bridge, looking back once to this scene of pastoral bliss. Then turn towards the sun and cross the bridge towards the hill. The sun is fully up now, and high above the hill it fills your vision and dazzles you.

Let the sun fill your view and warm your skin, then allow your focus to shift, let the light recede and become Sol's candle once again. Become aware of your surroundings in this room, this place among your companions. In your own time open your eyes.

The group should now share a feast, makes toasts in the circle, and share thoughts.

Stand in the centre and say:

'Great Mother, known by many names
Soul of nature,
The source of all light, warmth and inspiration,
We thank you for your presence at this rite
And for your blessings
May we walk ever on your bright path,
With your peace in our hearts
Hail and farewell.'

Release of all four quarters:

'I thank the guardian of the east
For your presence at our rite
and for guarding our circle
Hail and farewell.'

'I thank the guardian of the south
For your presence at our rite
and for guarding our circle
Hail and farewell.'

'I thank the guardian of the west
For your presence at our rite
and for guarding our circle
Hail and farewell.'

'I thank the guardian of the north
For your presence at our rite
and for guarding our circle
Hail and farewell.'

'I thank Odin
For your assistance at our rite
Hail and farewell.'

I thank Frigg
For shelter at our rite
Hail and farewell.'

'Those of us who have worked for a time in a place of magic
Return now into our mundane world.
May the light of our mother
Remain in our hearts
This circle is open, but unbroken
Merry meet, merry part and merry meet again.
Blessed be.'