Ancient people all over Europe are known to have celebrated Midsummer. According to scholar Ronald Hutton, Midsummer (as well as Midwinter) celebrations were common throughout ancient Britain and almost certainly employed fire. There is evidence of “the making of sacred fires at the opening of summer at at its solstice, to bless and protect people and their livestock fro the dangers of the season” (Hutton 2013, loc 7698). Fire was used to purify with smok, and to provide protection. Use a red votive candle and carve it with protective symbols such as pentagrams. Imagine ancient tribes of people at Midsummer creating protective fires for their livestock and villages. You are connecting with your ancestors and all those who came before by utilizing the power of fire, even if you’re merely lighting a candle. The fire is symbolic. It is pure power. As you light thecandle, visulize the element of fire forming a protective shield around you that deflects all negative energy and harm of any kind. You can imagine a circle of fire, a series of fires in a ring around you, or a sphere of fire that encompasses you like a ball. Even though fire can destroy, in this case it’s warding all harm away from you. Say these words three times:
Fire is power, and it’s mine to wield; fire is power, and it is my shield.
Allow the candle to burn out. Anytime you need to evoke the protective shield, repeat the phrase and visualization.
Reference
Hutton, Ronald. Pagan Britain. Yale University Press: New Haven adn London. Kindle edition, 2013.