Walpurgisnacht, and Planning Midsummer

On 01 May, our bonfire was held on the back deck in a fire bowl. We lit the blaze and fueled it with confidential documents belonging to a friend who was moving (much faster and more energy efficient than shredding). Warding off of predators was one traditional purpose for the fires on May-eve, and our modern adaptation extended to those who would prey on identity and financial information. This also acted as an opportunity for ritual cleansing via woodsmoke and pyromancy, one of my favorite ways to divine.

We shared a meal beforehand, and while the evening was not meant to be an official rite, I kept the idea in my mind while preparing the meal and during our hospitality. I find the slightest shift of focus and energy can be just the thing to turn a routine dinner party into a ritual meal. I will keep my divination observances private, but know that scrying was fruitful.

Next up in the way of observance is Midsummer, or the summer solstice. I will be 29 weeks pregnant at the time of this event, and assuming the heat does not prevent me from it, I plan to take a meditative hike through the woods by the nearest river. The weekend following features Idhavelli Hof's annual Midsummer Thing, but I will not be attending much of the weekend's planned agenda. Camping without access to air-conditioning does not sound at all exciting to me, and even last year's heat was taxing while not pregnant. I'll be attending the member's meeting, voting and perhaps lunch, but that is all this year.

Aside from the hike at Midsummer proper, I have thought about devotional rites to Freyr, Frejya, and Frigga over the course of the week. These prayers and offerings would be made to honor them for fertility, love, and continued health and well-being in our home as we prepare for the addition of another little life to our family. I've honored Freyja and Freyr individually early in the pregnancy, but I feel a renewal of this honor is warranted, as well as invocation to Frigga, who has gone unmentioned before now. As the house renovations come to a close, I wish to honor her with a permanent place at our hearth upon its completion.