| Yule
(Winter
Solstice, circa December 21) Non-italicized text represents spoken words, italicized text represents actions to be taken. |
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Invocation
to the Elements & the Seven Directions: Turn to the North: I welcome the powers of the NORTH, rulers of Earth, Body, and Winter: Help me in matters of patience, groundedness, and stability. Help me use my power wisely. Light candle representing the North and feel the presence of the Earth Elemental. Turn to the East: I welcome the powers of the EAST, rulers of Air, Mind, and Spring: Help me in matters of wisdom, insight, and clear thought. Help me use my power wisely. Light candle representing the East and feel the presence of the Air Elemental. Turn to the South: I welcome the powers of the SOUTH, rulers of Fire, Spirit, and Summer: Help me in matters of strength, confidence, and focused will. Help me use my power wisely. Light candle representing the South and feel the presence of the Fire Elemental. Turn to the West: I welcome the powers of the WEST, rulers of Water, Emotion, and Autumn: Help me in matters of healing, joy, and intuition. Help me use my power wisely. Light candle representing the West and feel the presence of the Water Elemental. Hold hands up to the sky: I welcome the powers of the SKY FATHER, rulers of the heavens and all that is in them: Help me in matters of cosmic awareness, unconditional love, and unlimited consciousness. Help me use my power wisely. Light candle representing the God and breathe in His presence I welcome the powers of the EARTH MOTHER, rulers of the Earth and all that is in it: Help me in matters of abundance, harmony, and balance. Help me use my power wisely. Light candle representing the Goddess and breathe in Her presence I stand at the CENTER, where all powers intersect. I take my place in the circle of life, and remember to use my power for the good of all. All is one and one is all. Light candle representing the Center and feel the interconnectedness of all things Fourfold Purification: Light smudge stick with the Northern candle. Waft the smoke over yourself and say: I purify my BODY of all sickness, disease, illness, and toxins. May it be healthy and strong, healed and whole - a proper temple for the expression of my spirit! Light smudge stick with the Eastern candle. Waft the smoke over yourself and say: I purify my MIND of all stray thoughts, so that it may be as crisp and clear as a mountain zephyr. May it be receptive to divine guidance, and learn to discern truth from lie. May it be insightful, inspired, and motivated! Light smudge stick with the Southern candle. Waft the smoke over yourself and say: I purify my WILL. May it remain strong and steadfast when it has set upon the path of the greater good. May it never waver, but give me the courage to fulfill my destiny to the best of my capabilities and the fullest of my potential! Light smudge stick with the Western candle. Waft the smoke over yourself and say: I purify my EMOTIONS. May they flow as as freely as a rushing woodland stream. May they never stagnate, but express themselves in constructive ways. Help me in matters of joy and intuition. Light smudge stick with the Center candle. Waft the smoke as you walk clockwise around the ritual area and say: I purify this SACRED SPACE, may no ill will enter here! Protected from the West, protected from the North, protected from the East, protected from the South, protected from Above, protected from Below, and sealed at the Center! Only those of good will may enter here! Invite any other entities you want to join you (guardian angels, guides, faeries, etc) Stand before the cauldron and gaze within it. Say: Today I honor the Winter Solstice, The longest night and the shortest day of the year. I sorrow not, though 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. For I know that under this mantle of snow, The Earth sleeps and gains strength to bring forth life in the spring! Invocation to the Mother: Beautiful Mother Goddess, You who are Mary, Gaia, Danu, Demeter, and Isis! I welcome you with an open heart and an open mind. Bountiful Mother who gives birth to all life, Who nurtures all life and provides equally for all life! Even now, in this darkest hour, life is stirring in your womb! For the God has passed through the Underworld, And is about to be reborn from the bowels of the Earth. Invocation to the Son: Beautiful God, You who are Jesus, Lugh, Apollo, and Horus! I welcome you with an open heart and an open mind. You who are the brilliance of the fiery Sun, The warmth that nourishes all life, Whose rays melt away the snow and awaken vitality in the Earth! Without you we would be lost in darkness, For you are the Savior of the world, And bring the hope of a brighter tomorrow! Ignite the candle (which should be inside the cauldron). Say: I light this fire in honor of your ever-enduring love, Mother Goddess and Father God. What was sown at Beltane now comes to fruition! Together 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! Death holds no sway over you, Lord of Death and Rebirth! May your light brighten our every day, And remind us that the time barrenness is behind us! Drawing Down the Sun: Blessed Sun-Child, May I honor you in life by reflecting your qualities. May your joyous laugh melt away my fears, May your growing strength revitalize me And give me the courage to go on when all seems bleak! Any blessings you wish to bestow upon me, Pour into this cup, So that when I drink it I may drink of your essence… When you feel ready, drink and feel golden light spreading through your body Circle the altar and cauldron slowly, clockwise, watching the flames. Chant 12 times: The wheel turns; the power burns.1 Sit down again: 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!1 Thank all who you have invited for coming by saying something to the effect of: Thank you for coming blessed _____ (North/South/East/West/God/Goddess/etc)! Come and go in peace! Grounding: All energy not used to further this ritual, I ground to heal the Earth and all who dwell upon it! back to Ritual page |
LORE:
Between Samhain and Yule, the God rested in the Underworld
and regained his strength. But just when it seemed the sun
had lost all power, on the shortest day and the longest
night of the year the God was reborn of the Goddess. Though
winter was cold and dark, hope and light had returned to the
world and the days grew steadily longer; the seeds of new
life were slowly but surely germinating under the mantle of
snow. Although this can be seen as the Goddess'
parthenogenesis, or virgin birth, it could also be said that
the God impregnates the Goddess with himself on Beltane in
order to be reborn of her on Yule.
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