Post by angelis on Nov 30, 2005 23:05:30 GMT 1
It is on this day that we celebrate the Goddess giving birth to the God, a reminder that with death comes rebirth. It is a joyous celebration of family and friends, of peache and love and positive energy. Wiccans light candles and/or fire (the Yule log) to welcome the Sun's return. It is common for this ritual to be performed just before dawn, ending with the sun's rising. It is tradition to save part of the Yule log for use the next year and to bring luck into your home during the coming year.
Yule
Yule, Yuletide, Winter Solstice or Christmas whichever you prefer, is celebrated by Pagans the 21st or 22nd of December. This day marks the end of the dark half of the year and the beginning of the light half. Starting the next morning at sunrise, the sun climbs just a little higher and stays a little longer in the sky each day.
The Yule Log
The Yule log is the highlight of this festive season. The traditional wood used for the Yule log is Ash.
According to tradition, this log is decorated with seasonal greenery, soaked with cider or ale, dusted with flour and lit with a piece of log saved from the previous year. The log used for the season must be cut from the yard or given as a gift. It is considered unlucky to buy your own Yule log.
Once lit the log would burn throughout the night, then left to smolder for 12 days, before being put out.
A small piece of the log is then saved to start the fire for the log the next year.
Now that times have changed and fireplaces are not found in every home, some adjustments can be made for convenience.
You could look in your yard, nearby wooded areas or park for a small log or branch of evergreen. You may need to flatten one side so it will not roll.
Drill three holes in the top of the log/branch to hold 3 candles. Candle combinations include: Season - red, green, and white
Sun God - green, gold, and black Goddess - white, red, and black.
Decorate with greenery, bows, seasonal flowers, cloves, and dust with flour. Light candles and burn daily for 12 days. Save your Yule log for the following year.
Symbols of the Season
Foods of Yule: Cookies and caraway cakes, cider, cinnamon-ginger tea, fruits (roasted apples, clove studded apples and oranges), nuts, pork dishes, turkey, eggnog, spiced cider, wassail, ale.
Colors of Yule: Red, green, gold, orange,
silver, white, yellow.
Incense of Yule: Ash, pine, cedar, bayberry, cinnamon, frankincense.
Herbs of Yule: Bayberry, blessed thistle, cedar, evergreen, frankincense, holly, laurel, mistletoe, oak, pine, sage.
Stones of Yule: Bloodstones, diamonds, garnets, emeralds, rubies.
Activities of Yule: Burning the Yule log, caroling, decorating the Yule tree, exchanging presents, hanging wreaths, kissing under the mistletoe, honoring Kriss Kringle.
Solitary Yule Ritual
Statement of Intent:
"Since the beginning of time witches have gathered in this season
To celebrate the rebirth of the Sun.
On the Winter Solstice - the darkest of nights
The Goddess becomes the Great Mother
And once again gives birth to the Sun
Beginning the yearly cycle anew
Bringing new light and hope to all the World.
On the longest night of winter
Flares the spark of hope
The Sacred Fire,
The Light of the World,
I am present here to welcome the new light.
As I join the Goddess in greeting the new Sun
I also welcome the new light within myself."
Calling the Quarters:
"Hail guardians of the east,
spirits of Air, powers of Thought
I call you to lend your essence
to this rite and protect me from
all negativity from the east."
"Hail guardians of the south,
spirits of Fire, powers of Will
I call you to lend your essence to this rite
and protect me from
all negativity from the south."
"Hail guardians of the west,
spirits of Water, powers of Emotion
I call you to lend your essence to this rite
and protect me from
all negativity from the west."
"Hail guardians of the north,
spirits of Earth, powers of Stability
I call you to lend your essence to this rite
and protect me from
all negativity from the north."
Casting the Circle:
"I conjure ye O Circle of Light
to be a temple between the worlds
In the name of the Silver Lady and the Golden Lord.
Wherefore do I bless and consecrate thee, So Mote It Be."
Invocation:
"Lady, you who are the beauty of the snowy earth
and the white moon among the stars
the mystery of the waters
the desire in the heart of humanity
We invite to you to come to this place and attend this rite,
for you are the soul of nature that gives life to the
universe."
"Lord, You who are the freedom of the wild things
the bright sun that lights the day
the mystery of the forest
The resolve in the heart of humanity
We invite you to come here to this place and attend this rite,
for you are the body of nature who gives life to the
universe."
Meditation:
"The old solar year has run its course and completed its
cycle.
So too have some of our habits or traits completed their
cycles and outlived their usefulness.
This is a time for shedding that which is no longer needed."
(Take a few moments now to consider which things
you would leave behind as you go into the coming year.)
(pause to meditate)
"As the old year dies away
so to will these old ways will fade into memory."
"In the beginning we came from the darkness of the womb.
There we were created, nourished
and prepared for our birth into the light.
Within us, we still carry that fertile darkness.
There we hold the seeds of hopes and dreams to come.
There we nourish are hopes for love, joy and peace for all.
We shield these tender roots
until they are strong enough to come forth and flourish in the
light."
(Spend a little time now tending these creations to come.
Name them, nurture them for they will grow with you
and bloom in the coming year.)
(pause to reflect)
"As the sun strengthens above, so will my new ways grow."
Reading:
"I light this candle for the infant Solstice Sun
One small flame to pierce the darkness
A ray of hope
A symbol of the Light within me
Light that can never be extinguished
Light that will grow in glory
Waxing strong, despite the cold to come
Light that dispels despair and resignation
Giving us a glimpse of golden days ahead"
"Behold the light that can never die
Reborn anew in the Solstice Sky!"
Before the Chant:
(While chanting, think of those who you would send positive energy to:
Loved ones perhaps, those in need of healing or added strength.
Perhaps people who's names you do not know, who are living with war or
hunger. You may wish to focus on that which important to you, your
values, Perhaps the earth itself, or the animals who share it with us
Whatever it is you wish to send your healing energy to. As we chant we
will build the our energy with the turning of the wheel. As you chant
feel the energy of change resonate within you.
When you stop the chant, visualize the positive energy bursting forth,
like the sun coming out from behind a thick cloud, and imagine strong
rays of streaking out, empowering your wishes, and carrying your
healing thoughts to their targets. The Chant:
"Hoof and horn, hoof and horn
All that dies will be reborn
Corn and grain, corn and grain
All that falls will rise again."
Blessing of Cakes and Wine:
"This food and wine is the blessing
of the Goddess and God to our bodies.
I will partake in it freely.
And remember to share
what I have with those who have nothing."
Releasing:
"Thank you, Goddess of the Moon
for attending these rites in your honor,
and for sharing with me your gifts of compassion and wit.
Hail, and farewell."
"Thank you, God of the Sun
for attending these rites in your honor,
and for sharing with me your gifts of freedom and
rejuvenation.
Hail, and farewell."
"Guardians of the north,
I thank you for your presence here
and for your gift of stability. Hail and farewell."
"Guardians of the west,
I thank you for your presence here
and for your gift of empathy. Hail and farewell."
"Guardians of the south,
I thank you for your presence here
and for your gift of purity. Hail and farewell."
"Guardians of the east,
I thank you for your presence here
and for your gift of clarity. Hail and farewell."
"The circle is open, yet never broken,
merry meet, and merry part,
and merry meet again."
Written by Zephyr; December 22, 1996
Yule
Yule, Yuletide, Winter Solstice or Christmas whichever you prefer, is celebrated by Pagans the 21st or 22nd of December. This day marks the end of the dark half of the year and the beginning of the light half. Starting the next morning at sunrise, the sun climbs just a little higher and stays a little longer in the sky each day.
The Yule Log
The Yule log is the highlight of this festive season. The traditional wood used for the Yule log is Ash.
According to tradition, this log is decorated with seasonal greenery, soaked with cider or ale, dusted with flour and lit with a piece of log saved from the previous year. The log used for the season must be cut from the yard or given as a gift. It is considered unlucky to buy your own Yule log.
Once lit the log would burn throughout the night, then left to smolder for 12 days, before being put out.
A small piece of the log is then saved to start the fire for the log the next year.
Now that times have changed and fireplaces are not found in every home, some adjustments can be made for convenience.
You could look in your yard, nearby wooded areas or park for a small log or branch of evergreen. You may need to flatten one side so it will not roll.
Drill three holes in the top of the log/branch to hold 3 candles. Candle combinations include: Season - red, green, and white
Sun God - green, gold, and black Goddess - white, red, and black.
Decorate with greenery, bows, seasonal flowers, cloves, and dust with flour. Light candles and burn daily for 12 days. Save your Yule log for the following year.
Symbols of the Season
Foods of Yule: Cookies and caraway cakes, cider, cinnamon-ginger tea, fruits (roasted apples, clove studded apples and oranges), nuts, pork dishes, turkey, eggnog, spiced cider, wassail, ale.
Colors of Yule: Red, green, gold, orange,
silver, white, yellow.
Incense of Yule: Ash, pine, cedar, bayberry, cinnamon, frankincense.
Herbs of Yule: Bayberry, blessed thistle, cedar, evergreen, frankincense, holly, laurel, mistletoe, oak, pine, sage.
Stones of Yule: Bloodstones, diamonds, garnets, emeralds, rubies.
Activities of Yule: Burning the Yule log, caroling, decorating the Yule tree, exchanging presents, hanging wreaths, kissing under the mistletoe, honoring Kriss Kringle.
Solitary Yule Ritual
Statement of Intent:
"Since the beginning of time witches have gathered in this season
To celebrate the rebirth of the Sun.
On the Winter Solstice - the darkest of nights
The Goddess becomes the Great Mother
And once again gives birth to the Sun
Beginning the yearly cycle anew
Bringing new light and hope to all the World.
On the longest night of winter
Flares the spark of hope
The Sacred Fire,
The Light of the World,
I am present here to welcome the new light.
As I join the Goddess in greeting the new Sun
I also welcome the new light within myself."
Calling the Quarters:
"Hail guardians of the east,
spirits of Air, powers of Thought
I call you to lend your essence
to this rite and protect me from
all negativity from the east."
"Hail guardians of the south,
spirits of Fire, powers of Will
I call you to lend your essence to this rite
and protect me from
all negativity from the south."
"Hail guardians of the west,
spirits of Water, powers of Emotion
I call you to lend your essence to this rite
and protect me from
all negativity from the west."
"Hail guardians of the north,
spirits of Earth, powers of Stability
I call you to lend your essence to this rite
and protect me from
all negativity from the north."
Casting the Circle:
"I conjure ye O Circle of Light
to be a temple between the worlds
In the name of the Silver Lady and the Golden Lord.
Wherefore do I bless and consecrate thee, So Mote It Be."
Invocation:
"Lady, you who are the beauty of the snowy earth
and the white moon among the stars
the mystery of the waters
the desire in the heart of humanity
We invite to you to come to this place and attend this rite,
for you are the soul of nature that gives life to the
universe."
"Lord, You who are the freedom of the wild things
the bright sun that lights the day
the mystery of the forest
The resolve in the heart of humanity
We invite you to come here to this place and attend this rite,
for you are the body of nature who gives life to the
universe."
Meditation:
"The old solar year has run its course and completed its
cycle.
So too have some of our habits or traits completed their
cycles and outlived their usefulness.
This is a time for shedding that which is no longer needed."
(Take a few moments now to consider which things
you would leave behind as you go into the coming year.)
(pause to meditate)
"As the old year dies away
so to will these old ways will fade into memory."
"In the beginning we came from the darkness of the womb.
There we were created, nourished
and prepared for our birth into the light.
Within us, we still carry that fertile darkness.
There we hold the seeds of hopes and dreams to come.
There we nourish are hopes for love, joy and peace for all.
We shield these tender roots
until they are strong enough to come forth and flourish in the
light."
(Spend a little time now tending these creations to come.
Name them, nurture them for they will grow with you
and bloom in the coming year.)
(pause to reflect)
"As the sun strengthens above, so will my new ways grow."
Reading:
"I light this candle for the infant Solstice Sun
One small flame to pierce the darkness
A ray of hope
A symbol of the Light within me
Light that can never be extinguished
Light that will grow in glory
Waxing strong, despite the cold to come
Light that dispels despair and resignation
Giving us a glimpse of golden days ahead"
"Behold the light that can never die
Reborn anew in the Solstice Sky!"
Before the Chant:
(While chanting, think of those who you would send positive energy to:
Loved ones perhaps, those in need of healing or added strength.
Perhaps people who's names you do not know, who are living with war or
hunger. You may wish to focus on that which important to you, your
values, Perhaps the earth itself, or the animals who share it with us
Whatever it is you wish to send your healing energy to. As we chant we
will build the our energy with the turning of the wheel. As you chant
feel the energy of change resonate within you.
When you stop the chant, visualize the positive energy bursting forth,
like the sun coming out from behind a thick cloud, and imagine strong
rays of streaking out, empowering your wishes, and carrying your
healing thoughts to their targets. The Chant:
"Hoof and horn, hoof and horn
All that dies will be reborn
Corn and grain, corn and grain
All that falls will rise again."
Blessing of Cakes and Wine:
"This food and wine is the blessing
of the Goddess and God to our bodies.
I will partake in it freely.
And remember to share
what I have with those who have nothing."
Releasing:
"Thank you, Goddess of the Moon
for attending these rites in your honor,
and for sharing with me your gifts of compassion and wit.
Hail, and farewell."
"Thank you, God of the Sun
for attending these rites in your honor,
and for sharing with me your gifts of freedom and
rejuvenation.
Hail, and farewell."
"Guardians of the north,
I thank you for your presence here
and for your gift of stability. Hail and farewell."
"Guardians of the west,
I thank you for your presence here
and for your gift of empathy. Hail and farewell."
"Guardians of the south,
I thank you for your presence here
and for your gift of purity. Hail and farewell."
"Guardians of the east,
I thank you for your presence here
and for your gift of clarity. Hail and farewell."
"The circle is open, yet never broken,
merry meet, and merry part,
and merry meet again."
Written by Zephyr; December 22, 1996
as I am working late. But will know what to do for next year. Thankyou very much either way 