#2 – Meaning and Discussion of High Days
Required Reading:
Our Own Druidry, p. 62 - 74 (Hearth Cultures & High Days)
ADF Constitution, Article 4
The ADF Core Order of Ritual for High Days
Optional Reading:
Our Own Druidry, p. 51 - 75 (The Very Basics of Ritual);
A Crane Breviary and Guide Book by Rev. Michael J Dangler: <>
Appendix 1: Resources and Rituals for the Wheel of the Year in this book;
The "Liturgy and Rituals" section of the ADF page, <>
The Three Cranes Grove, ADF, outline of ritual (with example prayers), <>
The summer solstice is one of the major points in the wheel of the year. It is at this point that the potential of the harvest can be seen, even though much of the growing season still lies ahead. Fertility rites are still in play, however, at this point they begin to focus more on protecting the crops from blight, flooding, or hail than the creation of new life.
There are a number of Deities that could be honored during this season. Traditionally, midsummer was viewed as the date that Baldur was killed, explaining the start of the decent into darkness as the dying of the sun/light god. Alternatively, Freyr and Freyja, the god and goddess of fertility and agriculture, could be honored to protect the crops. Their father, Njord, was honored to encourage the bounty of the sea as the god of fishing and sailing.
The sun and its representative on earth, fire, are the most commonly used symbols of the solstice. In the Germanic and Celtic lands, it was a tradition to light bonfires and drive livestock either between two fires or through the smoke to protect them for the rest of the season. This practice was so prevalent that it continued after christianization until the Reformation.
The summer solstice is one of the major points in the wheel of the year. It is at this point that the potential of the harvest can be seen, even though much of the growing season still lies ahead. Fertility rites are still in play, however, at this point they begin to focus more on protecting the crops from blight, flooding, or hail than the creation of new life.
There are a number of Deities that could be honored during this season. Traditionally, midsummer was viewed as the date that Baldur was killed, explaining the start of the decent into darkness as the dying of the sun/light god. Alternatively, Freyr and Freyja, the god and goddess of fertility and agriculture, could be honored to protect the crops. Their father, Njord, was honored to encourage the bounty of the sea as the god of fishing and sailing.
The sun and its representative on earth, fire, are the most commonly used symbols of the solstice. In the Germanic and Celtic lands, it was a tradition to light bonfires and drive livestock either between two fires or through the smoke to protect them for the rest of the season. This practice was so prevalent that it continued after christianization until the Reformation.
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