From the dawn of civilization, we have tracked the celestial giants and the paths they weave across the sky. The light that gives us life is perhaps the most important thing to celebrate, for without the sun, we would be nothing. This auspicious day is a great time to evaluate this life we have. We’ve made it through the first half of the year, and now, as the days begin to wane, we look forward to the coming harvest.
As Luciferians, we need to take the time to celebrate Lucifer’s light that guides us; we are building a community for Lucifer, for us, and for our children. The last several years have been defined by tragedies and collapse, and we are facing an increasingly bleak world. It is our belief that self-care is community care, so today’s ritual is about mindfulness, peace, and nourishment.
Many civilizations have celebrated the solstice, for reasons ranging from healing, fertility, honoring the earth, and even mourning the waning light and summer heat to come. Bonfires, dances, and feasts allowed us a way to connect to each other and to our relationship to the natural world.
In these dark times, our community is in desperate need of focus. With all the rapid changes, outrages, and tragedies, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s important to us. This life should be more than just struggling to survive. We have the power to change that, to bring meaningful practices into our everyday lives; elevating the human spirit should be, after all, the purpose of a religious practice. I propose that this day should mark a time of looking forward. Let us celebrate how far we’ve come and look at where we need to go from here on this journey together.
The simplicity of this ritual is important. No matter the level at which you may be, this ritual is about getting back to the basics. Your focus should be on how it feels more than anything. You don’t need fancy tools or outfits for this (unless you choose to do so). This should be more than just going through the motions or an act of blind faith.
What You Need
– A place outside – this can be your backyard, a park, a clearing in a forest, a campground, a beach, a lakeside; anything outside that makes you feel connected to nature.
– A blanket if you want to lay down or sit on the ground.
– A piece of paper and a pen.
– A source of fire. Either a candle and a container to safely burn the paper, or if you can do so safely, you could build a bonfire.
Ritual Preparation
1. Decide on your location of choice. It is important to get outside for at least the first half of the ritual, and it preferably should be completed during daylight hours. Dusk is okay if you want to do a night time bonfire. Even if you only have a few minutes to spare to spend outside, you can still do the first half outside and then take it inside with a candle and a container to burn the paper. Make sure to consider your safety above all else with your choice of location.
2. Decide if you want to practice an individual ritual or invite others to join you.
3. You may modify this ritual as you see fit, as everyone’s path is individual.
4. Prepare your paper with your prayer as written in the ritual. This will save time and allow you to focus your energies directly instead of needing to take time to write it out during the ritual.
Ritual
At your chosen location, you have some choices to begin with. You may sit or lay down on your blanket or remove your shoes and stand with your feet firmly planted on the ground. The connection to the earth through your body is an important aspect of this ritual, so do what feels right for you. If you are in a group, you can form a circle with each other.
Close your eyes and quiet your mind. Feel the earth through your body, whether you are laying down or standing. Visualize the Earth’s energy rising through you, enveloping you completely. Feel your connection to our dear, living world and the life that surrounds you at your very core, grounding you.
Feel the wind as it wraps itself around you, passing through you. Slow your breath and let the wind carry away your earthly concerns temporarily.
Focus your attention towards the sun, the sunlight warming your skin, filling your body with its vibrance. Allow it to cleanse you and your soul. Feel the light growing around you, brighter and brighter.
Now, visualize the Earth’s energy meeting the sun’s energy within you. How does it feel to you? Hold onto that feeling and when you’re ready, release.
Now, for the second half of the ritual, we light our fires. If you need to complete this inside with a candle, make sure you have a container to safely burn the paper and a way to put out the fire if need be. If you’re outside, you can set your candle and container up or light your bonfire.
Sit beside your fire source at a safe distance, and reflect.
Questions to Consider
1. How does your connection to Lucifer feel? This can be a symbolic or theistic consideration. In what ways has he affected your life? What do you need to work on for your relationship with him? What steps do you need to take to further build your practices?
2. Think about your place in this world. In your relationship with yourself, are there things you need to work on personally? What can you do to make your life better?
3. Consider your community and friends. What are your dreams for this future we’re building? How can you start taking action?
If you are in a group setting, these are all things you can discuss with each other if you so choose. When you are ready, recite the following either aloud or in your head:
O great Lucifer, our Morningstar,
We invite you to share in our joy, our love, and our feasts.
We honor you on this day of sacred light,
Bless our days and guide us through the dark nights ahead,
Protect us from those who may wish to harm us,
Lend us your strength so that we may persevere in your name,
Bestow upon us your knowledge and truths,
So that we may be wise and understanding.
Help us to restore our beautiful Earth,
So that we can rebirth anew,
Allow our community to strengthen and grow,
Strong roots taking hold in your name forevermore,
Share with us, Lucifer, as we celebrate your light,
So I will it,
Hail Lucifer!
Set the paper alight, placing it either in your container or bonfire. Let the paper burn completely and then you may begin your celebrations. The beauty of this day should not be lost on us. This is a wonderful time to have a picnic, a cookout, or a feast with our family and friends. These are dire times, and many of us are restricted under capitalism, so even if you can’t do something big like a ritual, do something for yourself. Get your favorite meal and go take a cleansing bath. Go gather some herbs, or cleanse your ritual tools with the sunlight. Do something that makes you happy. We need some self-care because we are all burnt out in this society right now. Take the time for yourself, you deserve it.
