| ^^^^^^^^^^^^ WINTER SOLSTICE ^^^^^^^^^^^^ Chants, blessings and deities, Prayers, lore and recipes Ornaments and yule sites, Lots of fun and celebratory rites!
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| INDEX | BACK TO HOLIDAYS |
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YULE SITES
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| Chants & Blessings | |
| "Yule tide blow wind into our sails, the despair end and goodness prevail, that each should move forward, tward thine own divine true will, by the power of stone,cauldron,sphere and sword, may each holy dream by found and fulfilled! BLessed be!" {From Whispered Prayers newsletter - author unidentified} ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Catriona MacHugh November2002 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ "From the beginning,
the end comes. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Blessing Spell for a Winter Solstice ************************************ "We ask a blessing on this house, This happy eve of Solstice time, We sing and dance and make carouse, To celebrate deep Winter's Clime. For Herne is here,and Mistletoe, The Holly and its berries bloom. We dance a carol.round we go, The Ivy winds around the room. With wine and cake we make a toast, And bring a blessing to our host! " ************************************ Solstice Eve Chant ****************** "The geese fly high this Solstice morn, The woods are bare,the snow is deep. We wait for Herne to sound his horn To wake his children up from sleep. To celebrate this happy night, When Winter may be put to flight. " ********************** Winter Solstice Chant ********************** "Geese and Standing Stones and mist, Baying hounds and hooting owl, Sparkling stars and snow is crisp. Herne is here.Bring forth the Bowl. " from "Natural Magic -A Seasonal Guide" by Paddy Slade. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ |
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| RITES OF THE SEASON | |
| Rebirth
of the Lost Lord, Winter Solstice.... Many cultures celebrated the rebirth of a god at the Winter Soltice. In fact,most of the Christian story was lifted almost word for word from an ancient Hindu myth. Some of it was also taken from the celebration of Mithras,the sun god,who was worshipped by the roman armies as far away as Britain. Mithras birthday was celebrated on December 25th. The Winter Soltice is a turning point of the Earth tides. The Sun is at its lowest point. If you wish, you can use a nativity set to represent the Great Mother,her consort,and the newborn Sun child. After all, this idea has been around much longer than Christianity. If you have others celebrating with you,give them the parts to answer for the Mother and the Elemental Powers. Use as many candles as possible around your ritual area. Cast your circle as usual. Have an extra white candle and carry it to the east, say: O Powers of Air, I seek the newborn Child. Is he within your realm? The powers of Air answer: Follow the Star to the hidden cave. Go to the South,say: O Powers of Fire, I seek the newborn Child. Is he within your realm? The Powers of Fire answer: Follow the Star to the hidden cave. Go to the West, say: O Powers of Water, I seek the newborn Child. Is he within your realm? The powers of Water answer: Follow the Star to the hidden cave. Finish by going to the North,say: O Powers of Earth, I seek the newborn Child. Is he within your realm? The powers of Earth answer: Follow the Star to the hidden cave. Return to the altar and set the white candle inside the cauldron. I have searched everywhere for the newborn Child, Yet i have not found him. Behold, the Great Mother speaks words of wisdom: Seek the Holy Child of Light within the hidden cave of your heart, For ever is he there,and not without. Raise your arms in praise and say: I have found the Child! He is always with me, wherever I may be. All praise and honor to the Lord of Light! All praise and honor to the Lady and her consort! Close the circle. BB LOVE STAR *HUGS* comes from the book Moon Magick. ******************* SPIRIT PATH Special Feature by Levanah 2001 The Altar is adorned with evergreens such as pine, rosemary, bay, juniper and cedar, and the same can be laid to mark the Circle of Stones. Dried leaves can also be placed on the altar. The cauldron, resting on that altar on a heat-proof surface (or place before it if to large), should be filled with ignitable spirits (alcohol), or a red candle can be place within it. At outdoor rites, lay a fire within the cauldron to be lit during the ritual. Arrange the altar, light the candles and incense, and cast the Circle. Recite the Blessing Chant Invoke the Goddess and God. Stand before the cauldron and gaze within it. say these or similar words: I sorrow not, through the world is wrapped in sleep. I sorrow not, though the icy winds blast. I sorrow not, though the snow falls hard and deep. I sorrow not, this too shall soon be past. Ignite the cauldron (or candle). As the flames leap up say: I light this fire in Your honor, Mother Goddess. You have created life from death; warmth from cold; The Sun lives once again; the time of light is waxing. Welcome, ever-returning God of the Sun! Hail Mother of All! Circle the altar and cauldron slowly, clockwise, watching the flames. say the following chant for some time: The wheel turns; the power burns. Meditate upon the Sun, on the hidden energies lying dormant in winter, not only in the Earth but within ourselves. Think of birth not as the start of life but as its continuance. Welcome the return of the God After a time cease and stand once again before the altar and flaming cauldron. Say: Great God of the Sun, I welcome Your return. May You shine brightly upon the Goddess; May You shine brightly upon the Earth, scattering seeds and fertilizing the land. All blessings upon You, Reborn One of the Sun! Works of magic, if necessary, may follow. Celebrate the Simple feast. Release the circle.
SPIRIT PATH Special Feature by Levanah 2001
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The most joyful Sabbat is coming closer each day"Yule", the celebration of the returning of the Light, the birth of the Sun God will be celebrated on December, 21, which is the longest night. This is the night on which our Goddess becomes the Great Mother since She then gives birth to Herself and to Her son and consort, the God, with the shadow of His/Father self productive in the background. This is the night during which we celebrate what Christians celebrate on December, 24. You will have remarked that we witches decorate our homes same way as the Christians do around this time of the year. We almost use the same symbolism; sun, stars, pine-tree, apples, red and green, Mistletoe... This is because this symbolism actually has Pagan roots. Let's look at the example of Mistletoe. Mistletoe is the sacred plant of the Druids, also believed to be the semen of God. The plant was seen as being the genitalia of the God Zues. Mistletoe is often mixed in arrangements with Holly, which stands for the menstrual blood of the Goddess. These two plants united represent the essences of life. The symbolism of Yule, meaning pines, stars, suns is a very strong one...Pine-cones actually stand for re-birth, the sun, which can for example be engraved upon a red candle represents the returning Sun-God, nuts stand for prosperity, candles for the returning light... What we are actually doing is representing the returning light in our homes to mirror the returning sun in the heavens. It is very normal that we love to celebrate light when nights are the longest, meaning we are confronted to darkness nearly all day, and when our hearts long for the returning of the bright sun. The word <<Yule>> itself is deviated from the Gaelic and means <<Wheel>>, which is referring to the Solar Wheel, which then will turn again. Another name for this festival is of course <<Winter Solstice>>. At this time of the year, we can also think differently about our God, seeing Him with His light and dark side, by which I don’t mean evil. We see His bright side as the Oak King, King of the waxing year, meaning from Yule to Midsummer, while His dark side; Holly King is ruler over the waning year, from Midsummer to Yule. We can see this as a kind of challenge or battle between these two sides, with always one side winning, which is now the Oak King. The returning of the Sun-God can be celebrated whatever path you actually follow since He can be celebrated under many names; Osiris, The Horned One, Apollo... If we are lucky, we will have a wonderful night sky, full of bright shining stars, or snow maybe...if we are lucky...
Preparations It would be good if you could fast and pray the three days before Yule to help you centre. I know that this is mostly impossible since we have to work, but I would then suggest not eating chocolate and such things, but more fruits. You should of course also purify your body with water, from the in-and outside; inside by drinking, outside while taking a ritual bath. Psychic awareness can be improved while taking a bath with Cinnamon, rose-petals or Mint. I would not mix the three...bad smell...lol.. Decorate your house the way it is appealing to you. I personally will decorate my tree on the 21, but sadly my celebration will be of a short kind since I will have to work night-shift that day...but we arranged a celebration at work, since my colleagues know about my path and we will then all eat together around Midnight. Light a candle in the spirit of love and rebirth. Perfume your house with cinnamon, mint, pine incenses. Your altar should be decorated with seasonal offerings, and you should use a pale green altar cloth, but red will of course suit as well. Your ritual dress can be the same as always if you have just one, but you can of course also dress in the colours of the season. You should of course celebrate at night. Ritual · Green and red candles · Cinnamon, mint or Yule Incense · All usual ritual tools · Seasonal offerings · Mistletoe and Ivy · A large orange or yellow (red) Sun Candle, which you place south (representing winter), best fixed in your cauldron for example. When ready, cast your circle as always, and let me now give you a wonderful invocation form the Book "The Wiccan Book of Ceremonies and Rituals" by Patricia Telesco; North Ancient Mother, I look for your opulence, but tonight naught but barren trees decorate the land. In this restful moment, let my spirit find healing East Ancient Brother, I listen for your winds, but tonight they are still. In this quiet darkness, help me find inspiration South Ancient Father, I look for your fires, but tonight the embers only begin to glow more brightly. May the gentle warmth temper my spirit. West Ancient Sister, I seek your glistening tears, but tonight they are frozen. Beneath this cool blanket, let my emotions find stability. Centre Ancient Ones, I seek your face, but tonight darkness surrounds. Help me find your spark within to guide my path. I would now suggest a meditation. What does the returning light mean to you? Yule is also a good time to find your magical name, in a way you would then give birth to another "you". You can also perform a search for your totem animal...Let your thoughts flow, same as ocean waves... Ceremony Light one single altar candle Say: Darkness is embracing the world The Holly King is reigning safe. All around us is hidden in shadows Our Goddess is asleep We have withdrawn to wait (Imagine the world in darkness, the sleeping nature...) When ready, imagine the sun returning, our Lady giving birth to the God, light the Sun Candle and say Welcome Our Lord of Oak You who have guarded the silent realms Hail to you Great Mother You who have now given birth to the bright Sun May you be blessed. And may the light return over valleys, oceans and our dreams. Now light all the other altar candles. Walk around your magick circle; clap your hands at each direction saying; " Wake up now Earth, the Sun God is born" (do the same for Air, Fire and Water) Now consecrate wine and cake, or whatever suits you. Celebrate the returning of the Sun. Maybe you would love to meditate upon the returning light or cast a spell since another purpose of the Yule ritual is to send all un-needed away with the darkness, which means that you can perform a spell for getting rid of bad habits for example. Whenever you are ready, close ritual. Levanah 2001. |
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^^^^^^^^^^^ White candle Pine incense Salt Small dish of Water Once the tree is placed and ready for decorating, light the incense and the candle. Hold the incense and, beginning in the east, walk around the tree clockwise and chant something like: With Air, I bless this tree of life And blow away all stress and strife Hold the candle and, beginning in the south, walk around the tree and say something like: I bless this tree by warmth of Fire From which passion flows, and heart’s desire Hold the water dish and, beginning in the west, walk around the tree and sprinkle it while you say something like: A gift of Water now I give The cleansing flow by which we live Take a handful of salt and, beginning in the north, circle the tree and sprinkle it while you say something like: I give you now the gift of Earth The grounding force of love and mirth Finally, circle the tree once more and say: I cast this loving blessing fast So peace and good will here shall last I honor you, my friend, the tree And bring you thanks now – blessed be By Dorothy Morrison, from her book "Yule – A Celebration of Light and Warmth" Ideas for decorating and then donating to wildlife - string popcorn, nuts raisens, cranberries, sunflower seeds, other dried fruits. Have a fun and safe Yule! Anne ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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| Winter Deities | |
| December Goddess: Holda Holda is the Germanic goddes of Winter who is both a bright and dark figure - crone and maiden in one. Sometimes She appears as a beautiful young girl clothed in shining white dress; other times she is seen as a hunchbacked old one with tangled grey hair, a beaked nose and glowing red eyes! When it begins to snow, folks say that "Holda is shaking her feather bead". Invoke Holda for a prosperous home and family. But be aware that as a goddess of spinning and weaving, She is also a goddess of Fate; so make her offerings as well.
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| See the Sites: | |
| Our yearly Christmas celebration is a blending of ancient
pagan rites with more f or those that are Asatru, Anglo-Saxon Heathen, or otherwise Norsepagan in inclination. They can be seen at: http://ealdriht.heathengyldas.com/haligwaerstow/yulerites.htm |
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| Yule Lore | |
| One traditional Yuletide practice is the creation of a
Yule tree. This can be a living, potted tree which can be later planted in the ground, or
a cut one. The choice is yours. Appropriate Wiccan decorations are fun to make, from string of dried rosebuds and cinnamon sticks (or popcorn and cranberries) for garlands, to bags of fragrant spices which are hung from boughs. Quartz crystals can be wrapped with shiny wire and suspended from sturdy branches to resemble icicles. Apples, oranges and lemons hanging from boughs are strikingly beautiful, natural decorations, and were customary in ancient times. Many enjoy the custom of lighting the Yule log. This is a graphic representation of the rebirth of the God within the sacred fire of the Mother Goddess. If you choose to burn one, select a proper log (traditionally of oak or pine). Carve or chalk a figure of the Sun (such as a rayed disc) or the God (a horned circle or a figure of a man) upon it, with the white-handled knife, and set it alight in the fireplace at dusk on Yule. As the log burns, visualize the Sun shining within it and think of the coming warmer days. As to food, nuts, fruits such as apples and pears, cakes or caraways soaked in cider, and pork are traditional fare. Wassil, lambswool, hibiscus or ginger tea are fine drinks for the Simple Feast or Yule meals.
Different Yule Legends 
New Water The Yule Log
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| Various Yule Recipes | |
| Yule Incense 2 parts Frankincense 2 parts Pine needles or resin 1 part Cedar 1 part Juniper berries Mix and smolder on Yule (or around December 21s), or even during the winter months to cleanse the home and to attune with the forces or nature amid the cold days and nights Gluhwein recipe***************** This is a German drink which is served hot and great for Yule parties. 3 bottles dry red wine 1/2(half a)bottle of brandy 1/2 a pint /30cl/1 1/3rd cups of orange juice rind and juice of 2 lemons 1 orange stuck with 12 cloves 6 cinnamon sticks. place all ingredients in a large cooking pot and simmer for about 20 minutes -PLEASE don't drink any if youve gotta pilot a sleigh or other vehicle - you dont wanna run over Grandma or anyone else!!! Now here's one that all can enjoy!: YULE BREW
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| More Yule Rituals and Poetry | |
| SPIRIT PATH Special Feature by Levanah 2001
The most joyful Sabbat is coming closer each day"Yule",
the celebration of the returning of the Light, the birth of the Sun God will be celebrated
on December, 21, which is the longest night. This is the night on which our Goddess
becomes the Great Mother since She then gives birth to Herself and to Her son and consort,
the God, with the shadow of His/Father self productive in the background. This is the
night during which we celebrate what Christians celebrate on December, 24. You will have
remarked that we witches decorate our homes same way as the Christians do around this time
of the year. We almost use the same symbolism; sun, stars, pine-tree, apples, red and
green, Mistletoe...
This is because this symbolism actually has Pagan roots. Let's look at the example of Mistletoe. Mistletoe is the sacred plant of the Druids, also believed to be the semen of God. The plant was seen as being the genitalia of the God Zues. Mistletoe is often mixed in arrangements with Holly, which stands for the menstrual blood of the Goddess. These two plants united represent the essences of life. The symbolism of Yule, meaning pines, stars, suns is a very strong one...Pine-cones actually stand for re-birth, the sun, which can for example be engraved upon a red candle represents the returning Sun-God, nuts stand for prosperity, candles for the returning light... What we are actually doing is representing the returning light in our homes to mirror the returning sun in the heavens. It is very normal that we love to celebrate light when nights are the longest, meaning we are confronted to darkness nearly all day, and when our hearts long for the returning of the bright sun. The word <<Yule>> itself is deviated from the Gaelic and means <<Wheel>>, which is referring to the Solar Wheel, which then will turn again. Another name for this festival is of course <<Winter Solstice>>. At this time of the year, we can also think differently about our God, seeing Him with His light and dark side, by which I don’t mean evil. We see His bright side as the Oak King, King of the waxing year, meaning from Yule to Midsummer, while His dark side; Holly King is ruler over the waning year, from Midsummer to Yule. We can see this as a kind of challenge or battle between these two sides, with always one side winning, which is now the Oak King. The returning of the Sun-God can be celebrated whatever path you actually follow since He can be celebrated under many names; Osiris, The Horned One, Apollo... If we are lucky, we will have a wonderful night sky, full of bright shining stars, or snow maybe...if we are lucky...
Preparations It would be good if you could fast and pray the three days before Yule to help you centre. I know that this is mostly impossible since we have to work, but I would then suggest not eating chocolate and such things, but more fruits. You should of course also purify your body with water, from the in-and outside; inside by drinking, outside while taking a ritual bath. Psychic awareness can be improved while taking a bath with Cinnamon, rose-petals or Mint. I would not mix the three...bad smell...lol.. Decorate your house the way it is appealing to you. I personally will decorate my tree on the 21, but sadly my celebration will be of a short kind since I will have to work night-shift that day...but we arranged a celebration at work, since my colleagues know about my path and we will then all eat together around Midnight. Light a candle in the spirit of love and rebirth. Perfume your house with cinnamon, mint, pine incenses. Your altar should be decorated with seasonal offerings, and you should use a pale green altar cloth, but red will of course suit as well. Your ritual dress can be the same as always if you have just one, but you can of course also dress in the colours of the season. You should of course celebrate at night. Ritual · Green and red candles · Cinnamon, mint or Yule Incense · All usual ritual tools · Seasonal offerings · Mistletoe and Ivy · A large orange or yellow (red) Sun Candle, which you place south (representing winter), best fixed in your cauldron for example. When ready, cast your circle as always, and let me now give you a wonderful invocation form the Book "The Wiccan Book of Ceremonies and Rituals" by Patricia Telesco; North Ancient Mother, I look for your opulence, but tonight naught but barren trees decorate the land. In this restful moment, let my spirit find healing East Ancient Brother, I listen for your winds, but tonight they are still. In this quiet darkness, help me find inspiration South Ancient Father, I look for your fires, but tonight the embers only begin to glow more brightly. May the gentle warmth temper my spirit. West Ancient Sister, I seek your glistening tears, but tonight they are frozen. Beneath this cool blanket, let my emotions find stability. Centre Ancient Ones, I seek your face, but tonight darkness surrounds. Help me find your spark within to guide my path. I would now suggest a meditation. What does the returning light mean to you? Yule is also a good time to find your magical name, in a way you would then give birth to another "you". You can also perform a search for your totem animal...Let your thoughts flow, same as ocean waves... Ceremony Light one single altar candle Say: Darkness is embracing the world The Holly King is reigning safe. All around us is hidden in shadows Our Goddess is asleep We have withdrawn to wait (Imagine the world in darkness, the sleeping nature...) When ready, imagine the sun returning, our Lady giving birth to the God, light the Sun Candle and say Welcome Our Lord of Oak You who have guarded the silent realms Hail to you Great Mother You who have now given birth to the bright Sun May you be blessed. And may the light return over valleys, oceans and our dreams. Now light all the other altar candles. Walk around your magick circle; clap your hands at each direction saying; " Wake up now Earth, the Sun God is born" (do the same for Air, Fire and Water) Now consecrate wine and cake, or whatever suits you. Celebrate the returning of the Sun. Maybe you would love to meditate upon the returning light or cast a spell since another purpose of the Yule ritual is to send all un-needed away with the darkness, which means that you can perform a spell for getting rid of bad habits for example. Whenever you are ready, close ritual. Levanah 2001. |
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| from: http://www.cynsmoon.com/martha.html Martha Stewart's Pagan Yule December 1 ~ Bury turkey carcass from Thanksgiving under the Holy tree to thank the tree for the six bushels pruned to decorate the halls with. Draw pentagram in the dirt with silver dust to prevent pet She-Wolf from digging up the bones. <lj-cut> December 2 ~ Order 20 cases of Irish whiskey to be left for the Good Folk on Yule. Re-bury turkey carcass, re-do pentagram in gold dust. December 3 ~ Draw pentagram on each sheet of toilet paper using silver marker for that festive holiday touch. Have staff re-roll the paper onto Victorian "crackers" for that surprise element. Re-bury carcass, consecrate concrete block, spray paint with gold and use as planter for poinsettia. Place over carcass. December 4 ~ Take She-Wolf to vet for eating poinsettia. Send out telepathic party invitations to 200 witches, shamen, and druids for Yule party. December 5 ~ Ex-mother in law's birthday. Send Victoria Secret's nightgown rubbed with stinging nettle. Begin receiving telepathic RSVP's for Yule party. December 6 ~ Hand dip 365 gold candles for Yule party. Consecrate using Sacred Lady Martha of the Stewart Clan Yule Oil at a K-Mart near YOU! Have staff clean up the mess. Pick Up She-Wolf at vet. December 7 ~ Harvest herbs from the garden and and crochet 200 herb pillows for guests. Stuff with the microwaved dried herbs. December 8 ~ Have the staff get their arms tattooed with suns now so there will be time for the redness to disappear in time for the party. Have staff decorate the Yule Tree. December 9 ~ Repaint Nativity Scene so figures represent Isis, Osiris, and Horus. Re-bury turkey. Take She-wolf to the pound. Buy new wolf pup. Hire dog trainer. December 10 ~ 11 Fly to Europe to grub for truffles. Pick up whiskey at the Irish distillery on the way back. December 12 ~ Use Dremel tool to carve chalices out of quartz crystal balls for the party. Roll the hand dipped candles in the crystal dust to make them sparkle. December 13 ~ Coven meeting! Get symbolically pregnant by the HP during symbolic Great Rite ritual. Give hand forged athames as gifts to coven members. December 14 ~ Get six foot Yule Log from the local land co-op. Decorate with holly, ivy and hand dipped candles rolled in the crystal dust. December 15 ~ See herbalist for private itching that has been going on since last coven meeting. Burn all undergarments. Have factory send new ones in red and green. December 16 ~ Daughter home from college. Send her to herbalist, too. Invite local fauna to graze on the front lawn for decoration and hang wreaths over their necks. December 17 ~ Climb great oak and cut mistletoe using golden sickle. Leave hand cast silver coins at base in thanks. Burn sage now to cleanse house so the smell will be gone in time for the party. Pick up golden robe at dry cleaners and pack in lavender. December 18 ~ Appear on Oprah to show my support for her coming out of the broom closet. Bake chocolate moon pies with banana cream filling, symbolic of the return of the sun. Bake "stained glass" Pentacle cookies. December 19 ~ Bake brownies laced with valerian and give to fundamentalist neighbor. Butcher, gut and pluck 150 pheasants from the backyard coop and marinate in consecrated wine. Harvest wild rice from the patty out back. December 20 ~ Yule party. Carve sliced carrot to resemble miniature suns. Put red dye in the men's toilet tanks, green in the women's toilet tanks. Have staff do the cooking while I dress in my ceremonial robe. When guests and TV crew arrive, assume meditative pose. December 21 ~ dawn - give birth to symbolic sun god on the dining room table as the guests and TV crew look on. After guest leave, collect empty whiskey bottles drunk by the Good Folk and recycle. Take a nap and dream of what I'll do for Imbolg. |
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Under the Kissing Bough
