Thanks to all who attended and made Midsummer 2013 a wonderful celebration and feast! The celebrations took place on Saturday, June 22, 2013 at 6pm and this year included a new Hammer of Thor rite.
The traditional battle between the Oak and Holly kings, with the Holly King victorious and ruling the next six months of the year took place as the center point of the ritual. The Oak King was played by SLSP President Muad’Dib and the Holly King by SLSP Advertising Director Lunar Oak Spirit. They had a mock battle and the Oak King relented control of the year to the Holly King till Yule, when the Sun will return again to increase the light on the Earth.
A druid Midsummer rite by SLPS President Muad’Dib where he called on the blessings of the God Beli, a midsummer Welch fire God, for all the members.
Oberon, King of the fairies was seen blessing the union of the Holly King and Queen. He also worked other faery magic as he danced around the circle!
Part of the magical workings on Midsummer also included power moon magic from the “super moon” that was passing over the Earth at the time. The workings including banishing bad habits in the Midsummer fire, traveling to meet the Holly King with his spouses and dancing to the song “Midsummer” by Heather Alexander.
Feastings after the ritual included tri-tip steak, chicken, hamburgers, ribs, corn on the cob and potato salad. A special homemade chocolate and coconut cream frosting cake was made by SLPS member Cheyanne Opheikens in honor of Lunar Oak Spirit’s late birthday. Delicious! Check out the photos below.
Midsummer 2013, Temple area, Saturday, June 22, 2013, Salt Lake City, UT
Midsummer 2013, Altar, Saturday, June 22, 2013, Salt Lake City, UT
Midsummer 2013, Altar Center with Oak and Holly King plaques by Kurt Shoopman, Saturday, June 22, 2013, Salt Lake City, UT
Midsummer 2013, East altar with Thoth, Saturday, June 22, 2013, Salt Lake City, UT
Midsummer 2013, South altar with Apollo, Saturday, June 22, 2013, Salt Lake City, UT
Midsummer 2013, West altar with Hades, Saturday, June 22, 2013, Salt Lake City, UT
Midsummer 2013, North altar with Tree Goddess, Saturday, June 22, 2013, Salt Lake City, UT
Midsummer 2013, Lunar Oak Spirit, Saturday, June 22, 2013, Salt Lake City, UT
Midsummer 2013, Azetta Seedling of the Blue Dragon, Saturday, June 22, 2013, Salt Lake City, UT
Midsummer 2013, Muad’Dib, Saturday, June 22, 2013, Salt Lake City, UT
Midsummer 2013, L to r: Patrick Lucero, Piggy, and Azetta Seedling of the Blue Dragon, Saturday, June 22, 2013, Salt Lake City, UT
Midsummer 2013, Cheyanne Opheikens (l) and Patrick Lucero, Saturday, June 22, 2013, Salt Lake City, UT
Midsummer 2013, Iyata Bond, Saturday, June 22, 2013, Salt Lake City, UT
Midsummer 2013, Patrick Lucreo (l) and Piggy, Saturday, June 22, 2013, Salt Lake City, UT
Midsummer 2013, Lunar Oak Spirit, Saturday, June 22, 2013, Salt Lake City, UT
Midsummer 2013, Lunar Oak Spirit, Saturday, June 22, 2013, Salt Lake City, UT
Midsummer 2013, Lunar Oak Spirit (l) and Iyata Bond, Saturday, June 22, 2013, Salt Lake City, UT
Midsummer 2013, Lunar Oak Spirit (l) and Iyata Bond performing Great Rite, Saturday, June 22, 2013, Salt Lake City, UT
Midsummer 2013, Muad’Dib, Saturday, June 22, 2013, Salt Lake City, UT
Midsummer 2013, Muad’Dib (l) and Lunar Oak Spirit, Saturday, June 22, 2013, Salt Lake City, UT
Midsummer 2013 l to r: Patrick Lucero, Woman Between the Wolves, Piggy, Saturday, June 22, 2013, Salt Lake City, UT
Midsummer 2013, Cake for Lunar Oak Spirit made by Cheyanne Opheikens, Saturday, June 22, 2013, Salt Lake City, UT