Note that some of this suggested Independence Day Ritual has been taken from Gerina Dunwich's Everyday Wicca: Magickal Spells Throughout the Year, 2000.
Prior to learing of her ritual, I had often lit a single candle for the holiday of the USA's birthday: Independence Day.
One year, we had stumbled across and purchased a glass seven day prayer candle, that had an image of a Bald Eagle and a USA flag, from a little Latino store in Milton, DE. (I've returned and purchased these candles for friends since then--but I'm not over there often.) Before finding the seven day candle, I had burned a single small candle. I had once located a tricolor candle in red, white, and blue.
The Declaration of Independence was first approved on July 2, 1776. Yet, after the original vote, the Continental Congress examined the declaration and revised it. Its final form was approved on July 4, 1776, marking this date as the birthday of the USA.
American Pagans might also be delighted to learn a LKF (Little Known Fact): July 4 was once known as "Old Midsummer Eve" or "Little St. John's Day" in parts of England.
Owing to the calendar changes of 1752, the date of Midsummer moved. Some people, however, refused to alter their celebrations, and continued to celebrate on the old day.I assume most Wiccans will choose to cast a circle, invoke the elements, and invoke deity, etc.--as they habitually do in their own rituals. (I realize that other American Neo-Pagans may also choose to adopt portions of this ritual and use with other ritual formats.)
--Anna Franklin, Midsummer: Magical Celebrations of the Summer Solstice , 2002, pp. 188, 190.
Solitary Independence Day Ritual
Set a small USA flag on your altar. You may also add images of any of the following:
Do NOT use a USA flag as an altar cloth as that is contrary to USA Flag Etiquette.
I shouldn't have to state this next one, but I will: Do NOT put a firecracker or sparkler on this altar. I am going to hope everybody over age 18 understands fire safety issues. I am also going to hope anyone over age 18 understands that firecrackers or sparklers are potentially hazardous and must not be left unattended where a child might pick them up.
Of course, much of these same warnings apply to lit candles left unattended.
If you have a large flag, you can display it appropriately behind the altar--or display it outside your home.
On the altar, place a candle--or candles.
Gerina Dunwich in Everyday Wicca suggested using three candles: 1 Red, 1 White, 1 Blue. These are the colors used in the USA flag. In Dunwich's book, they symbolize:
Red = Love
White = Healing
Blue = Peace
(See A Bit of USA Flag Symbolism.)
You can also invoke Lady Liberty as a Goddess of Freedom, as well as other deities or spirits.
Light some incense, center, and ground. Meditate briefly.
Focus your mind upon the positive things about your country, as well as the many problems that are facing her today. Try to think of ways to improve matters. Visualize all negativity completely eliminated, and all men, women, and children, not only in the United States, but throughout the entire world as well, living their lives happy, healthy, and free.When you are ready, begin the ritual.
Light your candle--or candles. After you do so, speak your intentions, wishes, and desires.
If you are using, as suggested by Gerina Dunwich, the three candles: 1 Red, 1 White, 1 Blue, light them. Recite out loud something simliar to what Gerina Dunwich suggested:
Light the Red Candle and say:Side note: Before reading Gerina Dunwich's book, I had often lit a single candle on Independence Day and I had generally spoken directly from the heart."I light this candle with a prayer for love to unite all individuals of this Great Nation and of the world regardless of their race, culture, spiritual path, or sexual preference. Lady Liberty, Goddess and symbol of freedom, I ask thee to guide us. Let us be brave and strong. Let us forever remain the land of the free."
Light the White Candle next, and say:
"I light this candle with a prayer to help heal this country from the wounds of war, poverty, pollution, crime, bigotry, disease, and all things negative, Let the healing now begin. Let our spiritual strength be great. Let us grow in wisdom and continue to seek truth and justice for all."
Finally, light the Blue Candle, and say:
"I light this candle with a prayer for peace between all nations and all children of the Great Mother we call our Planet Earth. Let us begin to live together in harmony as brothers and sisters with love, understanding, and respect for each other. Let us be able to learn from the past and be able to look to the future with open hearts and open minds. Let us be united as one Nation Under Goddess and God."
"So Mote It Be!"
You ought to adapt this solitary Independence Day ritual as is most proper and effective for you.
What else have I usually done?
Usually, I ask that people stay safe during the celebrations. I often ask for a blessing upon this country and its people. I express my gratitude over the good things I have. I express gratitude over living in a country with religious freedom. I express gratitude that Wicca is a legally recognized religion. (See FAQ: Isn't Wicca more of a magical or mystical practice rather than a religion?)
I also usually add:
I remember that the price of freedom is eternal vigilance.I might state concerns about issues in the USA about human rights and well being. (No, I will not discuss any of them here. As a practice, I do not discuss political issues. 'Nuff said.) I express sorrow over short comings and things that have gone wrong.
I express hope that we--as a Nation--continue to uphold high standards and usurp trends towards bigotry, social injustice, flaws in public education, squandering of natural resouces, etc. etc.
I have usually finished with something like:
To paraphrase one of our Founding Fathers: Independence Day ought to be solemnized with "Pomp and Parade," with shows, games, sports, gun salutes, bells, bonfires and "Illuminations" from this time forward--forever more!If you have a bell on your altar, ring it now. (Naturally, I assume Wiccans will properly return to mundane space and time, bidding farewell to all deities and spirits, and then erasing the circle. Be sure to thank Lady Liberty.)
Do not leave before extinguishing the candle--or candles. You can finish burning the candle--or candles--at a later date if necessary. Never leave a candle burning unattended, as it creates a fire hazard.
A Bit of History and LKF's
On July 2, 1776, the resolution of independence, also known as the Lee Resolution, was approved by twelve of the thirteen colonies in the Second Continental Congress. The colony of New York abstained on July 2, but later approved it. The text of the document formally announcing this action, the United States Declaration of Independence, was approved on July 4, 1776.
John Adams wrote in a letter on July 3, 1776 to his wife Abigail:
The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.--John Adams.John Adams was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and later became the second President of the USA.
I'd read the above quote from John Adams in my high school English class, when we studied the stage play 1776. His quote was in the notes about the play in the little paperback book we read in class. I was quite struck with it, but I could never remember the quote correctly in later years. Eventually, I looked up John Adams's quote again.
Prior to studying the play, my parents had taken me to a performance of the play 1776. It was sometime in the 1970's. My parents adored musicals, and my mother was a history nut.
A Bit of USA Flag Symbolism
On June 14, 1777 in Philadelphia, the Marine Committee of the Second Continental Congress adopted a resolution that read the following: “Resolved, that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field representing a new constellation.” This resolution did not address the significance behind the choice of colors for the flag.
On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress passed a resolution authorizing a committee to develop a seal for the USA. Congress adopted the Great Seal of the United States on June 20, 1782--after six years of discussion.
Charles Thomson, Secretary of the Continental Congress (1774–1789), spoke about the colors of Great Seal of the United States and their significance explaining that these are also the colors of the USA flag and have the same meaning: "The colors of the pales1 are those used in the flag of the United States of America; White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness & valour, and Blue, the color of the Chief 2 signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice." This statement is apparently the first source of the meaning of the three colors of the USA flag.
Over the years, this explanation of the meaning of the Red, White, and Blue, has been used and adapted. For example, Red is often said to represent the blood and valor of veterans and other Americans who died to secure the ideals of the USA.
In 1986, the Year of the Flag, President Reagan said:
The colors of our flag signify the qualities of the human spirit we Americans cherish. Red for courage and readiness to sacrifice; White for pure intentions and high ideals; and Blue for vigilance and justice.Gerina Dunwich used the three colors to symbolize Love, Healing, and Peace.
--Ronald Reagan, 40th USA President (1981- 1989), Proclamation 5475—Year of the Flag, May 12, 1986
Here are my thoughts:
Red signifies valor, for the blood of all Americans that has been shed. [We all bleed red.]
White signifies purity, and the innocence of our youth. [All the youth are our future.]
Blue signifies vigilance, justice, and steadfast perseverance. [The price of freedom is eternal vigilance and it is maintained through justice and perseverence.]
More Quotes as food for thought:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.copyright July 4, 2013 Myth Woodling
--First Amendment, U. S. ConstitutionThe price of freedom is eternal vigilance.
--attributed to Thomas Jefferson. First appearance in print: Mr. Jefferson, the great apostle of human rights, has told us, that "the price of Liberty is eternal vigilance." "Communicated", Richmond Enquirer, December 30, 1834.We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
--United States Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson.The good of the many outweigh the good of the few, or the one. Because the needs of the one... outweigh the needs of the many.
--Combined from Star Trek 2 : The Wrath of Khan (1982) and Star Trek 3: The Search for Spock (1984)
End Notes
1Pales--the vertical stripes of Red and White
2Chief--the broad band of dark midnight Blue, which is a above the stripes.
Sources
Linda L. Weidman, ed., Baer's 2018 Agricultural Almanac & Gardener's Guide, 2017.
Anna Franklin, Midsummer: Magickal Celebrations of the Summer Solstice, 2002.
Nicole Greenstein, Why the U.S. Flag is Red, White and Blue, , July 4, 2013.
Ronald Reagan: Proclamation 5475—Year of the Flag - Presidency Project, accessed July 2, 2016.
Gerina Dunwich, Everyday Wicca: Magickal Spells Throughout the Year, 2000.
AND NOW...an educational Music Video...
You Tube: Too Late to Apologize: A Declaration
In 1776, it was declared that all men were created equal and that they were endowed certain unalienable rights...
Too Late to Apologize: A Declaration
Halfway across the globe
And we're standing on new ground
Screaming 'cross the waves
You can't hear a sound
There's no fair trials, no trade, no liberties
No tea
We've colonized America; we won't stand for tyranny,
Oh king
And it's too late to apologize
It's too late
I said it's too late to apologize
It's too late
We've paid your foolish tax, read the acts
And they just won't do
We want to make it clear, we believe this much is true
All men were created with certain
Unalienable rights
Among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit
Of happiness
And it's too late to apologize
It's too late
I said It's too late to apologize
It's too late
It's too late to apologize
It's too late
I said it's too late apologize
It's too late
I said it's too late to apologize, yeah
It's too late
I said it's too late to apologize, yeah
Halfway across the globe
And we're standing on new ground
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Video Too Late to Apologize: A Declaration
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About The Video Too Late to Apologize: A Declaration, created by Soomo Learning, directed by Tim Grant.