Gossmere texts ranging as far back as the Renaissance refer to the summer solstice as “The Celebration of The Many” and the winter solstice as “The Celebration of The One,” the latter of which is considered a rare time reserved for personal reflection.
The Celebration of the Many, however, is all about community and sharing. Gossmerim all arrive at a pre-determined location on the night immediately prior to the solstice, where a festival campground is set up. This is a time to catch up and chat with fellow guildmates before the ritual proper begins the next day. Adult beverages are always generally involved. None are consumed, however, on the actual day of the solstice, as a rule. The location of the festival changes year-to-year. It is an open secret, and while members of the other Guilds are not specifically invited, they aren’t turned away if they show up and genuinely want to participate.
In the morning, the Gossmerim all wake up and share a large, hearty community breakfast that everyone has a hand in preparing. Seven large bonfires are constructed in a circle prior to noon, and are lit right when the clock strikes twelve. A circle of guild members forms in the center of the ring of fires, and they all cast a communion spell in unison, opening their minds and hearts to their other guild mates. The spell is cast in such a way that the harmonic convergence of the individual casters’ workings amplify and magnify one another, so the entire group is subsumed into a single casting. The celebration then starts in earnest, with dancing, singing, drumming, other music and merry-making being made until the sun sets, when the spell wears off.
The experience of basically partying for 8 hours while simultaneously experiencing the partying of dozens of other people is extremely gratifying, but also extremely taxing. During the celebration, because of the connection between the members, symptoms of exhaustion or dehydration can be identified and treated early through magiqal and conventional means. After the spell ends, most Gossmerim retire to their tents and either nap for a while, or fall asleep in earnest until the following morning. Light meals are prepared and consumed by those who are able to stay awake.
The following morning, the Gossmere take time to say heart felt goodbyes to one another, then break off in to the wandering tribes that make up our great guild, and head off to all six points of the compass.