Midsummer Festival

Fetch two wheels of straw Bound to seasoned wood. Place one upon the bonfire, Stacked high along the shore. Take one towards the mound With ancient piles aligned Around the altar stone To channel and confine Dawn's pencilled light. Collect protective herbs: Sweet-scented thyme for sleep The feathery leaves of mugwort To ease sore feet; The purple spikes of betony To cure a sorcerer's curse; Cardamine hirsuta Whose fine ballistic seeds Bring energy, and create A fruitful field of dreams. The Leaves of rampant nettle, For nurturing our growth; Where butterflies emerge To briefly spread their wings; Stoop down to pick plantago To guide uncertain faith Gather scented mayweed To salve a maiden's ills; Malus use for cleansing out Obsessive fears and acts. The aniseed of fennel brings Foresight, clearer sight. Cast these herbs into the flames. And may their mingled ash Transport us to a better life And bring us peace this year, At this Midsummer's Eve, The Goddess reigns supreme, And symbolising this, the women Cut a lock of hair From each her serving man And cast it in the fire. How long we celebrate with Games and dance and song Throughout Midsummer's Night, The coming of the sacred dawn We stand upon the mound Where sacred stones align Around the altar catching The pencilled light of Dawn.