Do you have a Summer Goddess with whom you feel a connection? One very special Goddess and not one that is very well known is Aine the Celtic Goddess of love, splendor and beauty, fertility, and the radiance of the Sun. She is also thought by many to be a Moon Goddess

Though Summer Solstice is her sacred day the two days surrounding the Sabbat are also special days for her. I am a water sign and I am drawn to Goddesses whose element is water and Aine is known to heal people who submerge into her lake and invoke her name. She is a healer and her sacred animal is the swan. The Lough Gur is the lake most sacred to Aine. Not far from her lake is a 528-foot holy hill named Knock Aine. Visitors and Pilgrims over the centuries and up to the present chant and dance to welcome the fiery sunny sphere that appears on Solstice morn and everyday throughout the Summer.

She is also thought to be a Faerie Queen who birthed an entire race of faeries that reside in and around her lake the Lough Gur. Aine plays a heavenly harp and her music mesmerizes the deserving listener with divine inspiration. And if one is unworthy, madness will ensue upon hearing her celestial sound

There are many Goddesses connected to Summer and another unique one is Sulis a Roman Goddess of the Sun, and also of healing baths. Her ancient Priestess cult was in the city of Bath, England. She is sometimes associated with Minerva, another Roman Goddess who is also a healer and one connected to thermal springs like the healing springs at Bath. Minerva is also a Goddess of the Summer Sun.

Another Summer deity is Saule, the Baltic Goddess of the Sun. Her ancient people are from the countries of Latvia and Lithuania. Being the Sun itself she gives life and nourishment to all living things on earth. She is a vibrant Goddess and her colors are golds, oranges, and reds. Leap the Solstice bonfires in her honor to help raise the Summer Sun.

You do not need an altar to work solar magick, just rise early in the in the morning when you are the freshest and the Sun is at its brightest. Let the Sun’s energy empower you to achieve your goals. It is also a time for self-care and drinking in the Sun’s energy to promote good health and happiness.

A midday Sun is at its peak because it is at the highest point in the sky. If you want to partake of its energy, plan to cast your spells at noon for balance and to embrace the prominent and brilliant Sun.

Let us not forget Sunset when the sky shines with vibrant colors that truly is an artist’s pallet. With dusk near this becomes a liminal transfer from one time to another. Embrace the serenity and quietude of the moment, it is truly magickal.

image credit: Howard David Johnson