Hello to all of my Pagan/Wiccan friends of the Goddess/God add to favorites
Welcome and Merry Meet,
As we enter the time for the Yule festival,i recieved an email from a Pagan friend that shared with me a Yule ritual.I would like to also share it with my Pagan friends here in helps of having a pleasant Winter Solstice this year.

With Yule fast approaching, I’ve been visiting Joelle’s Sacred Grove again, and from her we find some information about Yule and a ritual that I really like. It’s for solitary use, but could be adapted easily for family or small groups.

"The Goddess gives birth to a son, the God, at Yule. This is in no way an adaptation of Christianity. The Winter Solstice has long been viewed as a time of divine births. Mithras was said to have been born at this time. The Christians simply adopted it for their use in 273 CE (current era)."
(From "Wicca - A guide for the Solitary Practitioner" by Scott Cunningham)

"This is the time of death and rebirth of the Sun God. The days are shortest, the Sun is at its lowest point. The Full Moon after Yule is considered to be the most powerful of the whole year. This ritual is a light festival, with as many candles as possible on or near the altar in welcome of the Sun Child."
(From "Celtic Magic" by DJ Conway)

Also known as: Winter Solstice, Alban Arthan, Feill Fionnain, Yuletide, Midwinter, Sun Return, and Fionn's Day
Date: Winter Solstice, usually December 21st
Symbols: Evergreens, Wreath, Yule Log, Holly, Spinning Wheel
Colors: Red, Green, and White
Deities: Newborn Gods; Triple Goddess; Virgin Goddesses
Herbs: Holly, mistletoe, ivy, cedar, bay, juniper, rosemary, frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood, and pine. Offerings can be apples, oranges, nutmegs, lemons, pinecones, oak leaves, and/or whole cinnamon sticks.

Ancient Meaning: Yule is a time of the greatest darkness and is the shortest day of the year. Earlier peoples noticed such phenomena and supplicated the forces of nature to lengthen the days and shorten the nights. Wiccans sometimes celebrate Yule just before dawn, then watch the Sun rise as a fitting finale to their efforts.

How Ancient Pagans Celebrated: After the Norse brought Yule into prominence it nearly replaced Samhain as the date of the New Year, and many modern Celtic covens still honor Yule this way. The Nordic-influenced Celts celebrated Yule with many of the trappings we associate with modern Christmas observances; decorated evergreen trees, wreaths, holly, mistletoe, feasting, and dancing.

They also believed that on this night the Holly King, as the God of the waning year, would battle the Oak King, the God of the waxing year, and lose. Often Yule coven rituals have members reenact this fight."

from "Celtic Myth and Magick" by Edain McCoy

Modern Meaning: Yule is the remnant of early rituals celebrated to hurry the end of winter and the bounty of spring, when food was once again readily available. To cotemporary Wiccans it is a reminder that the ultimate product of death is rebirth.

How Modern Pagans Celebrate: Since the God is also the Sun, this marks the point of the year when the Sun is reborn as well, Thus, the Wicca light fires or candles to welcome the Sun's returning light. The Goddess, slumbering through the winter of Her labor, rests after Her delivery.

Solitary Yule Ritual
from Joelle

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."


As i said before,this email came to me from a Pagan friend.I would really like to thank Him for sharing this email with me,and i hope that it blesses you also this Winter Solstice.

Blessed Be and have a Happy Winter Solstice this year!

Ostara_Witch)O(

Tags: ChristmasYulecelebrations