Midsummer, also known as Litha, was celebrated on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at 8pm. The sun was setting in the west, but plenty of light abound as the longest day of the year doesn’t see a sun set till 9:30 pm. The ritual began with the song “Midsummer” by Heather Alexander.
The Gods and Goddesses were honored as Midsummer poetry was read. Each person set a goal to accomplish by Lughnasadh. The Holly King overtook the Oak King as the ruler of the next six months. This is because the sun reaches its zenith on Midsummer. Thus the power of the Oak King grew strong as all life returned after Yule. Now, as the days grow shorter and nights longer, life will peak and then begin to wane before dying and going to sleep during winter. This is the period of rule of the Holly King and natural dominance over the Oak King at Summer Solstice. The inverse is true at Yule, when the Oak King takes over to rule again.
Offerings included strawberry lemonade and fruits of the season. All were blessed of the Gods and feasted on bratwurst by a Midsummer fire.
Midsummer 2015, altar, Saturday, June 20, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT
Midsummer 2015, altar center with Queer God painting-Holly King dominating the Oak King, Saturday, June 20, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT
Midsummer 2015, feast-bratwurst Saturday, June 20, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT
Midsummer 2015, fire, Saturday, June 20, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake Pagan Society 