This Saturday, the night of the 2oth of December will be Yule or the Winter Solstice. This another turn on the Wheel of the Year. Its a time that Pagans, Witches, and Wiccans gather to have a ritual and celabration.Here is what my High Priestess, Lily, has written about this hoilday," Winter Solstice marks the longest night of the year. It is from this point that the days begin slowly to become longer and longer. The sun is at its most southeastern point over the Tropic of Capricorn in the northern hemisphere and has no apparent northward or southward motion. In the time of the ancient tribes this was a time of celebration, for it meant the turning point of winter and the eventual return of spring. Yule is the time when we honor the Goddess for giving birth to the sun once more. It is the time when the Oak King is victorious over the Holly King. The Holly King represents death and darkness that has ruled since Samhain, and the Oak King represents rebirth and life. The waning (diminishing) sun is overtaken by the waxing (increasing) sun, thus the days become longer after the victory of the Oak King."
Yule / Winter Solstice Ritual Guide
Needed:
Holly sprig
Mistletoe sprig
Black votive candle
Green candle
White candle
Gold candle
Cauldron
Place the gold God candle at right top of altar, and the white Goddess candle at the top left. Place your Cauldron to the right of the altar, with the black votive candle, Holly sprig around it, inside. Cover cauldron with lid or cover plate. Place the green candle and mistletoe where they will be behind you at the beginning of the ritual. Cast the circle.
"From the darkness is born the light,From void, fulfillment emerges.The darkest night of the year is at the threshold,Open now the door, and honor the darkness."
Take the lid/plate off the cauldron and light the black votive candle inside. Give silent honor to the Holly King, the ruler of the dark half of the year. Meditate on the seasons of the past year, and how their lessons have brought you to where you are today. When ready, begin again:
"Dark my surroundings, and cold be this night But Your labor, Blessed Mother, has reborn the sacred Light.The child divine, the most honored SunShall return with the sunrise again; Two will be One."
Remove the holly from around the black votive candle. With your projective hand (right if you're right-handed, left if you're left-handed), present the holly to the four elements. Then place it behind you, to signify the death of the Holly King. Turn back to the altar. With your receptive hand, reach behind you, and bring forward the mistletoe and the green candle. Present them to the elements, slide the mistletoe over the green candle and place the candle in the cauldron.
Light the green candle with the black votive candle and say:
"Behold the rebirth of the King of the Woodlands!Behold the Oak King, strong and vital he rises!"
Snuff the black votive candle and with your projective hand, place it behind you. Turn back to the cauldron, close your eyes, and silently honor the Oak King. Begin again:
"Awake now Your Mother, Your Lover, Your Lady Awake now the Goddess of Life, Death, Rebirth."
Take the green candle out of the cauldron and light the white Goddess candle on the altar. Put the green candle back into the cauldron. Take the white Goddess candle with both hands and hold out at arm's length over the cauldron:
"Awaken, my Lady, look upon Your divine child,His rebirth while You slumbered was subtle and silent.The Stag King, the Green Man, Lord of Fertility,He awaits Your wakening, gentle and benevolent."
Place the white Goddess candle back in its holder. Assume the Goddess position. Say:
"All hail the Oak King; His rebirth, a promise.All hail the divine child, Giver of Life.All hail the blessed Sun, reborn to the Mother For He retakes His throne at the end of Solstice Night!"
Meditation. Cakes and Ale.
Face the cauldron and the green candle still burning bright.
"Before my circle tonight, I close with blessings I ask for this house and my kin.Tomorrow at daybreak, when I arise A special flame I will carry within.And a gold candle upon my altar I'll light Adding my will to the Sun King's intent To climb aloft in the vaulted skies.And for strength back to me; the strength I've sent."
Snuff the green candle. Place the mistletoe on the pentacle. Close the circle.
Leave the gold God candle on your altar to light upon rising in the morning.
(Please use these as guidelines, personalize them and make them your own. The more of yourself you put into magic, the more you'll get out of it! Remember be creative and have fun!)
