​​When you look at your modern calendar, the Estival solstice is labeled as the beginning of Summer, so why do we call it Midsummer?  

If we were to actually begin the seasons with the cross-quarter days of

Imbolg, the very beginning of spring,
Bealtaine, the very beginning of Summer.
Lughnasadh, the very beginning of the Autumn harvesting season, and
Samhain, the early beginning of Winter

then it's easy to see why the Summer Solstice is known as "Midsummer". (and why Yule is oft called "Midwinter".)

Litha is a name often heard bandied about as another name for the Summer Solstice. Litha first came into use as a result of research by Aiden Kelly from a treatise called 'The Reckoning of Time' (De temporum ratione) written by a Northumbrian monk, Bede in 725 AD. The scholarly Bede described a variety of ancient calendars, including the Anglo-Saxon calendar that named the month of June (se Ærra Liþa, early Litha month) and July, (Æfterra Liþa, later Litha month). "It may have helped that it had been appropriated, as “Lithe,” for the Midsummer festival in the hobbits’ calendar in J. R. R. Tolkien’s fantasy masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings (Tolkien 1966)." Aiden Kelly also brought the names of Mabon and Ostara into the neopagan vernacular so that all the sabbats could have traditional names.

​Celebrations of the Summer solstice occurs in history around the world, much like that of all the quarter days.

• "In ancient China, the summer solstice was observed by a ceremony to celebrate the Earth, femininity, and the “yin” forces."
• "In ancient Gaul, the Midsummer celebration was called Feast of Epona.
• "Some Native American tribes held ritual dances to honor the Sun.
• "For the Greeks, it would, according to some calendars, mark the start of the new year and the month-long countdown toward the Olympics.
• "For the Romans, the solstice was the occasion for another unique exception to everyday life: on the first day of the festival of Vestalia, married women could, for one day only, enter the temples of the vestal virgins to make offerings to Vesta, goddess of the hearth and home.
• "Mayas and Aztecs used the day as a marker by which to build many of their central structures, so that the buildings would align perfectly with the shadows of the two solstices, summer and winter.
• "In Jewish tradition, it’s known as Tekufat Tammuz, the solstice of the month Tammuz.
• "Eastern Europe celebrates the solstice with Kupala, a Slavic holiday with pagan roots. Named for the Slavic goddess Kupala, it was originally conceived as a fertility rite.
• "Throughout Austria (and especially in the mountains of the Wilder Kaiser region of Tyrol), fires dot the countryside to celebrate the solstice."

​Quoted from The Scientific American

Ra - Horus - Apollo - Helios - 
Freyr - Huitzilopochtli - Lugh - Hvar Khshaita - 
Inti - Liza - Mithras - Sol Invictus - 
Surya - Tonatiuh  - Utu (Shamash)

We, as pagans practicing Wicca with Inner Circle Sanctuary, think differently. Here are some wise words from our beloved High Priest, Lord Tanys.

​"Here are some religio-magical reasons to celebrate your birthday the best you can:

1. It is your very own Holy Day.

2. It is when your soul (the real you, eternal and divine) entered your body (vehicle) for this incarnation.

3. It is when your Holy Guardian Angel/Daimon/Augoides/Higher Self attached Him/Herself to you for this go-around.

4. It is your personal New Year's Day.

5. It is the beginning of your Wheel of the Years.

6. It is the beginning of your Solar Year.
For more information on this, read Laurie Cabot's Book of Shadows.

7. In a real sense, it is your First Initiation in this incarnation.

So please observe your own birthday with joy. Try to take the day off. Try to do some magic (ritual, divination and/or meditation, etc.). 

You are worth it!

There are five things needed to start with Inner Circle Sanctuary (ICS). Something you may already have is the pentagram pendant, ring, or other jewelry. The pentagram is not only an ancient protective symbol, it is also the premiere symbol of our religion and ICS has specifics in regards to its appropriate style. Our specifics are definitive for us and may differ for any other Wiccan group.

The star must be an openwork woven line star. Non-woven stars may be acceptable but it cannot be a solid star. Each point of the star represents one of the five elements and those elements work in synthesis with one another as represented by the unbroken line traveling through each element. 

The star must have one point at the top. 

The circle must be complete and unbroken as it is the symbol of unity linking each point with one another.

The star must be WITHIN the circle with the points of the star touching the edge of the inside circle. A closed circle amplifies and directs energy back into itself creating a stronger, more powerful symbol. 

In our tradition, we believe the walls of our magical ring is a barrier that should not be broken by human, animal, or a paper plate on the wind. To create a 'boundary between the world of men and the realms of the Mighty Ones' we must be secure in knowing that the 'place that is not a place and a time that is not a time' is a secure precinct. 

We choose to have the symbol our members wear reflect this understanding.

In the photo, one through four are unacceptable as a pentacle for our group.

1. The points extend outside the circle breaking the secure barrier.
2. The pentacle rests ON the circle instead of being in conjunction with it.
3. The star is neither woven or within the circle.
4. Same as number two.

In the photo, five through eight are acceptable as a pentacle for our group.
 
7. As decorative as this pendant is, all the criteria is met. The star is with the circle and the the circle itself is unbroken.
8. The star within the circle is a complete piece. The overlay of the symbol of the goddess makes it pretty but more importantly, does not interfere with the symbol itself.

During the first year, we administer a long lecture on the history & symbology of the pentagram.

For the other items needed to start in our classes, please see the 1st degree class page on our website: http://www.innercirclesanctuary.com/1st-degree-classes.html

​One of our very favorite stories is of how Our Lady Morgana started our classes back in 1991. She had been in a coven for a few years and was working at a metaphysical shop where she encountered many, many people who were interested in learning about the Craft. She went to her own High Priestess and asked if they could start some classes for neophytes and her Lady said NO. A few months later, Lady Morgana asked her High Priestess again and her Lady said No. Again, she asked and the answer was no… and again; NO.

Finally, after countless times asking, (she persisted) her Lady acquiesced but admonished that it would be a project for just Lady Morgana and her reluctant working partner, Lord Mordred. They partnered with a couple of other Wiccans they knew and put together a curriculum and a sabbat celebration.

Of course, they asked that their High Priestess attend the sabbat and she did, but after witnessing the non-coven style, haphazard ring, her Lady said, “Oh no, this will never do.”

In the following days and weeks, Lady Morgana worked closely with her Lady and working partner to develop a ritual and curriculum that was based on coven-style training and that included information that was correct, but already in print. Lady Morgana was not allowed to teach her own covens teachings, but if she found something in the myriad of books being published that was accurate or close enough, it could be utilized.

Our group has kept evolving since it’s beginning and is still a growing, advancing, coven, but it’s establishment from the onset; the desire to give back to a curious community, still remains today.

~Lady Atheona

As we say goodbye to the month of May, the month named for the Goddess Maia, the time of the fullness of Spring in the northern hemisphere, we begin to enter the season of Summer. The days have been getting warmer and warmer and the nights shorter and shorter.

Pearls
Pearls were believed to be the tears of mythical creatures like the mermaid and nymphs; the treasures of dragons; and tears from the moon herself. Highly associated with the moon, pearls are considered feminine associated with nurturing, healing, happiness, innocence, honesty and integrity. They can be used in magic for relationships and commitments or can be worn to heighten intuition and imagination.

Alexandrite
By the magic of science, Alexandrite is a color changing gem. In daylight it is a bluish-mossy green color and under lamplight it flashes a warm raspberry color. Alexandrite is believed to help bring a sense of calm and a peaceful state of mind to the wearer. It can attract joy, prosperity, good luck for gamblers, and boosts creativity and magnetism.

Moonstone
Ancient Romans considered the moonstone to be the solidified light of the moon herself. Wear to attune yourself to the natural rhythms of the moon, to attract true love, to enhance fertility, to settle disagreements in a relationship, and to arouse passions. Moonstone is also said to bring wonderful dreams at night.

Rose
Roses have been in gardens for over 5000 years. It is said that the foam that dripped from the freshly born Aphrodite as she emerged from the sea turned into white roses and when she mourned over the body of Adonis, her tears turned the white roses red. Roses are highly prized for all love magic. Roses bring peace, love, and are empowering to the spirit.

Honeysuckle
Since ancient time honeysuckle has been burned for prosperity within the home. It is also used in love magic and to induce dreams of love and passion. With its ability to cling to walls, honeysuckle is also known as ‘love bind’ and is symbolic of devotion.

Gemini
If someone is born before June 20th, their zodiac sign is Gemini. Traits for the Gemini are adventurous, have a love of variety, are charming, sociable, and quick-witted although, on occasion they can be talkative or bitingly sarcastic. Gemini’s are very independent yet can sometime throw caution to the wind. They are intelligent, adaptable, and confident yet can be unemotional, devious, and tend to take their own path.

​Cancer
If someone is born on or after June 21, they are a Cancer. Traits for Cancers include loving, loyal, and intuitive yet can be overemotional, clingy, and overly sensitive. They are self-motivated, natural leaders, and practical yet can side on controlling, bossy, or pessimistic. Cancers love helping others although can have a hard time trusting others. They love feeling secure but can tend to overreach on occasion. Cancers really enjoy the people they care about but aren’t fond of change.

In years past, when we were an open and public Temple, we held introduction classes before the start of a new class. There was a sign-up sheet hanging on the perfumed walls of the Bell, Book, and Candle and people would list their names and phone numbers when they felt it was time to check out a genuine witchcraft class. The week before an open night, actual phone calls were made to invite the sign up sheet to join us. Anyone who signed up was invited to come, sit, and learn about who we were and how we did things. 

On Saturday, June 10 from 6pm to 9pm, we return to our roots. 

If you are curious about who we are and how we operate OR if you are interested in petitioning to join our Wicca group and classes;
Come Join Us. 

Subjects we will cover:
The history of Inner Circle Sanctuary
How ICS has evolved over the years
What is Wicca
What we teach
The magical name
The magical tools needed to start classes
Our textbooks
How to become a member/student
What we offer as a group
What we expect from a member/student
What to expect if you are accepted as a member/student

And as an added bonus, we will demonstrate our basic ritual ring.

http://www.innercirclesanctuary.com/updates-and-info/inner-circle-sanctuary-intro
https://www.facebook.com/events/1807419629475587/

Just about every Wiccan ritual and festival calls for wine & cakes or wine & bread. We'll present some pagan holiday bread recipes, how to weave and design breads, and we'll have some fabulous breads to taste and for purchase.

It's potluck; please bring food to share. 

This is an RSVP ONLY event. Please message us for the location.

Join us on our Facebook invite for bread tidbits until the event. Click here.