YULE TO GO - The Ritual Begins

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 08 Dec 2001, and now archived in the Forum Library.

tarotbear	08 Dec 2001
Dear Folks - We are about to begin the round robin Yule ritual. All are invited to participate. What will happen is that I will begin and hand the next part of the ritual to someone with some directions about what should happen next. When someone does not pick up the ball in a reasonable amount of time, I will jump back in and fill in the holes. There are many different folks here who practice many different ways; some may not quite seem to go together, but we are here to share, not judge. Please == if you have any questions as we go, please post them in the 'Preliminaries' section, not here in the ritual itself; that way we can keep continuity for those who may wish to print or copy this ritual for their personal use. Thank you, and goddess bless.

tarotbear	08 Dec 2001
**spoken in the darkness** At this time do we know the dark of the year. The season of life is past and all is cold. Let us now rejoice that the darkness will soon end through the rebirth of the golden Solstice Sun. We recognise the night of the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year. Darkness has triumphed, but it will soon give way and change into light. The breath of nature is suspended. All wait while within the cauldron the Dark King is transformed into the Infant Light. We watch for the coming of the dawn, when in the dark winter night the Great Mother will give birth once again to the Golden Solstice Sun, who is the bringer of hope and the promise of summer. At this time there is stillness while time itself stops... Then the Wheel of the Year turns again to bring the light. Let us now recognise the Elements of nature. {A white candle is now lit and passed from the center of the circle to the East. All face East. The East (air) is invoked.}

Kiama	08 Dec 2001
*Kiama stands in reverence to the East* Hail, Spirits of the element of Air, Guardians of the East! We welcome you to our circle, And ask you to watch over and bless us As we celebrate the Winter Solstice! Blessed be! (A red candle is lit in the centre and passed from the centre to the South. All face South. The South (Fire) is invoked)

tiger lily	08 Dec 2001
::Tigerlily holds up the candle, facing South:: Hear me, Great Dragon, Spirit of Fire, come to me. By the heat of my blood I am kin to you, Lord of Lightning: Bless this circle with your power lend your fiery joy to our rites. (West is next)

arizonagirl	10 Dec 2001
(A blue candle is now lit in the center and passed from the center to the West. All face West. The West (water) is invoked. Holding the candle aloft: Spirits of the West, Guardians of Water. We invite you to lend your powers to our circle. Let us feel the depth of your emotions. Bless us with your presence on this Solstice. (North is next.)

MeeWah	10 Dec 2001
{A green candle is lit in the center & passed from the center to the North. All face North. The North (Earth) is invoked.} *MeeWah holds the candle aloft, bows once to acknowledge North* O Spirit of the North, Ancient One of the Earth, We bid ye welcome to this circle As we celebrate the Winter Solstice. Ground us with thy presence; Charge this circle by Thy Powers!

tarotbear	10 Dec 2001
Next we should invoke the Goddess, and the God. After they are invoked, we will sit in the semi-darkness and discuss the season, how we have experienced it, and things we have done to celebrate it,or how different people/traditions see this season. This is meant to be informal and does not have to be presented in a 'ritual' format. Who will invoke the Goddess, and the God?

MeeWah	11 Dec 2001
O Great Goddess, Lady of the Moon, Earth Mother to us all, we thy children call upon ye this Solstice night! Grace us with thy presence; bless us with thy life-giving powers. We seek to honor thee, who creates life from death! Hail, Mother Goddess--we bid thee welcome! (The invocation of the God is next.)

tarotbear	12 Dec 2001
Hail unto thee Great God Herne. Thou Lord of Life, Thou Lord of death. Thou Lord of forests, fields, and glens. Thou Lord of the hunt, of the predator and the prey. Great being of all men. Blood of our blood, bone of our bone. Heart of our heart. Body of our body. Life of our Life. Soul of our soul wee call unto thee. Heed our call and come to us, thou great Lord. All Hail Herne! All Hail Herne! Hail unto thee Horned One. Hail unto thee Stag King. Hail unto thee Holly King. {All sit. At this time, we can discuss this season for those participants who are not pagen/wiccan/witches. tell us what things you have done in the past, how you have celebrated, and even some things that have gone wrong!}

jade	12 Dec 2001
red tapered candles are handed out to all the participants in the circle. the first candle is lit off the alter candle and slowly the entire circle begins to fill with light as each person lights the candle of the next person beside them. after all the candles are lit, the yule log is brought in front of each person. they drip the wax from their candle and place their wish(es) into the log...sealing them with wax. when everyone has dripped their wax onto the log...the yule log was held up to the God and Goddess and we asked, "God and Goddess, hear our wishes and our dreams. Please assist us in creating these realities for ourselves and our loved ones. With the burning of this log, our wishes will come up to Your ears. so mote it be. Blessed be. an it harm none, do as ye will." the participants candle's flames are put out. in light, jade

arizonagirl	12 Dec 2001
I like to consecrate the Yule Log in the circle at the end of the ritual, then burn it in the fireplace inside our home. I will hack off a small piece to save and to light next year's Yule Log.

tarotbear	12 Dec 2001
I went to a log-less Yule celebration once, The man who wrote the ritual and was HP backed out at the last moment, and he had the log! I walked in with a busche de noel (cake in shape of yule log) , so we had to use that instead! Glad the gods have a sense of humor! (ended up subbing for the HP, too!)

tarotbear	12 Dec 2001
This description provided by the Ferrers in 'Eight Sabbats for Witches': At the Winter Solstice, the two God-theme of the year cycle coincide -- even more dramatically then they do at the Summer Solstice. Yule (from the norseIul meaning 'wheel') marks the death and rebirth of the Sun-God; it also marks the vanquishing of the Holly King -- God of the Waning Year, by the Oak-King-- God of the Waxing Year. [this process is reversed at midsummer-tarotbear] The Goddess, who was Death-in-Life at Midsummer now shows her Life-in-Death aspect; for although at this season she is the 'leprous-white lady', Queen of the cold darkness, yet this is her moment for giving birth to the Child of Promise, the Son-Lover who will re-fertilize her and bring back light and warmth to her kingdom. In some traditions, the Holly King (basis for the image of Dicken's "Christmas Past" and also Santa Claus) symbolically dies. The New king is born. In some traditions the Holy King and the Oak King engage in mock battle which the Oak King wins-temporarily- and the Holly King relinquishes his place, but leaves with the admonition that he will return at Midsummer and claim what is his. In the musical 'Celebration' (written by the men who wrote 'The Fantasticks') people around a fire enact the battle between the old and the young ( similar to Father Time and Baby New Year- revisions of the the Holly and Oak Kings); youth wins. The play takes place during Saturnalia, the Roman celebration at the year of the calendar year. {For the non-pagan among us - the Holly and Oak Kings are different aspects of the same God. In reality, each one impregnates the goddess with himself, so that He is both his own father and son.} What other things have people done at this time of year?

tiger lily	12 Dec 2001
When I was a kid, we celebrated a "traditional" Christmas, which is actually more folklore than Christian... here in Germany, Santa Claus visits the children on December 6th, St. Nicklas Day. Children put their boots outside the front door and find them filled with apples, oranges, nuts and sweets the next day. Or (if the parents rent a Nikolaus), he visits them that evening, accompagnied by the fearsome Knecht Ruprecht, a dark clad bear of a man with a birch broom. In former times you actually got a slap for every bad deed, but nowadays he only threatens you . The Nikolaus on the other hand, reads your good deeds from his golden book and after the interrogation (yes, it is! I can remember it ;-) ) and admonitions to be good in the coming year, he reaches into the depths of his bag and gives you your sweets and a little gift. The Nikolaus and Knecht Ruprecht are actually two sides of the same being, the kind and the fearsome aspect of the old god Wodan; one of his many names was Nikarr or Hnikarr - in this aspect he was the Lord of the waves, appearing as a sailor or ferryman (anyone recognizing the tale of the Bishop of Myra?) who was able to calm the waves. Ruprecht (English Rupert) is Old German "ruoperaht", meaning "shining glory", another name of Odin/Wotan (and interestingly, in Germany he doesn´t ride a sleigh, but rides a white horse; the Dutch children call him "Wode Nikolaus" and put some hay for his horse on the windowsill). Now you know more than you probably wanted to know... should I go on to Christmas itself? ;-)

Major Tom	12 Dec 2001
Every year, this time of year, ever since I left my parents home, I bring a living tree into my home and decorate it according to what is appropriate to how I live. :-) It's important to me that the tree survive the experience and I can usually keep the tree alive for 10 years. This year it's a new tree. Last year I decorated the tree with pomanders (I'd made with satsumas, cinamon and cloves) and bundles of dried lavender - grown in my garden - tied with ribbon. This year I'll add lights and some fairy decorations I've bought. :-)

tarotbear	13 Dec 2001
Excellent! Excellent! Please-everyone! Keep adding to this thread! In a couple of more days, we will move on to the ritual again.

tiger lily	13 Dec 2001
We celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve, Dec 24, not on the 25th... perhaps this is a reminiscence to the Germanic "Modranect" or "Mothers´ Night"? I don´t know, but it could be, because the gifts are brought by the Christkind which is in all childrens´ books a *female* being, an angel-like maiden that roams the forests and cities in the weeks before Christmas, peeking into the windows to see if we are being good :-) I like to think that she is the spirit of the Sun (which is also female over here), visiting earth in the time of greatest darkness. She may be a relative of the Swedish Lucia, of the white Snow-Queen or of Frau Holle who shakes out her pillows to let it snow. Anyway, on the afternoon of the 24th, the Christmas tree was decorated (ususally by my father) while my mother prepared the Christmas goose... we children were sent outside to play in the snow (is it me or did we have more snow then?). In the evening, we would go to church with our grandparents and then come home to eat. I never found out how my parents were able to sound the little bell on the Christmas tree *while sitting with the rest of us around the table*! Hey - perhaps it was really the Christkind, as they told us ;-) We would race to the living room ... the room was dark, except for the candles on the tree. Even now I get a lump in my throat as I remember that sight. It was incredibly beautiful and magical. We would sing Christmas carols, give our presents to our parents and then - finally - we were allowed to open our gifts. The rest of that night we played with our toys while the adults had a nice coffee... We celebrate Christmas now basically as we did when I was a child (with the exception of visiting the mass), but somehow, it´s not the same as it was then. I think you need children around to fully capture the magic of this night...

arizonagirl	13 Dec 2001
Maybe we can share how we decorate our altars at Yule. I celerate outside, unless the weather is seriously bad. It's a good thing I have no neighbors. I wouldn't want anyone to see me stomping around the circle in my snow suit and big clunky insulated rubber boots. I light a fire in the little cauldron on my altar as a symbol for the Sun King's arrival. It also helps to keep my hands warm! I have a Wheel of the Year painted with the name of the Sabbats and the symbols associated with each. (It's on the altar each Sabbat with the appropriate one at the top.) At Yule, I surround the wheel with a wreath as an altar decoration. The incense I use is frankincense and myrrh which I burn on a charcoal disk.

Kiama	13 Dec 2001
For me, I celebrate Yule wen my family celebrate Christmas. Its easier, and only festival I can really share with a non-Pagan family. We still have small children in the house, so Yule is really magickal. The day starts at about 5am when the first kid wakes up. That's me! (I'm a big kid when it comes to this!) I wake up my little sisters, and we open our stockings in Mum and Dad's room at about 6am (After creping downstairs to look at the tree with all the presents underneath: It's a beautiful sight, esp. when you're with an 8 and 10 year ol who still believe in Santa Claus!). We don't open presents until everyone is dressed and breakfasted.. Then its basically madness for the next three hours! Order is resumed when we have friends round for a drink nd minc pie at around 11am, then at 1pm we serve a huge turkey dinner. After that, we walk the dinner off down the local beach, and generally be a family for the rest of the day. I will, howeve, be doing my own ritual on the 21st. Only small affair on my own, or with my boyf. The best bit about Yule is definitely the kids. I love watching them open their presents, marvel at the tree all lit up, and get over-excited... I also enjoy watching people open the gifts I have bought them. I think Yule is the festival where everyone lives in the present, not the past or the future. The Western world generally takes a breath to sit back and enjoy the view. Everyone's so nice, and cheerful an generous. Shame it isn't like that all year round. Kiama *Still a kid at heart!*

tarotbear	14 Dec 2001
moving on..... "Bring Back The Light" (c)1987 words & music by Gypsy sung: Spin Merry Meet, Merry Meet in good measure- Follow along as we join in the dance. Sing Merry Meet, Merry Meet in the circle- Come on along you can join in the song.... Bring back the light- Light neverending. Through dark of night this call we are sending with all our might- Bring Back the Light! Bring back the light Our hearts are open on Solstice Night. We are invoking thee Lord of Life- bring back the light! (chant- repeat as you build the power) Queen of the Stars, Queen of the Moon. Queen of the Horns and Queen of Fire. Lord of Life, Seed of Light- Flame that warms the darkest night! Harken to this witches rune, Work our will as we desire. Lord of Life, Seed of Light- Flame that warms the coldest night: Bring to us the waxing light! Be with us on Solstice Night! Bring back the Light- light is descending to Earth tonight. Light neverending To Earth tonight. Bring back the light!

tarotbear	17 Dec 2001
(One white, one red, one yellow, and two black candles are brought forth) (The white candle is lit) "White is lit for the cresent waxing moon, the Moon in her Maiden phase. We give greetings to her." (candle is placed in center of altar) (The red candle is lit) "Red is lit for the Full Moon, the Moon in her Mother phase, the warm embracing queen of creation. We give greetings to the Regal One." ( candle is placed next to white candle) (The first black candle is lit) "Black is lit for the waning to New Moon, the Moon in her crone phase. We give greetings to the Wise One." (the black candle is placed so the white, red, and black candles form a triangle in the center of the altar) (The second black candle is lit) "Black is lit to represent the longest night of the year." (candle is placed at one end of the altar) (The yellow candle is lit) "This yellow candle represents the Sun as the nights now begin to grow shorter and the days to grow longer." ( this candle is placed at the opposite end of the altar from the black one). "Now is the Sun well on its course, through the dark months of winter. May the gods guard us and guide us through the long , dark days ahead." {The participants bring forth candles of their own. These have a talent the participant wishes to bestow on the waxing light to manifest as the Springtime comes. It can be actually inscribed onto the candle, 'wished' onto the candle, written on a thin slip of paper and wound around the wick, etc. Starting in the East, each participant may speak this desire outloud or to themselves. They light their candle from the yellow altar candle and proceed clockwise to the outside edge of the circle to place it SAFELY along the edges of the room. As they light their candle they may say something like 'May this desire so manifest, as the light grows stronger!". When all have finished, the room should be glowing with light.} "As this light grows about us So may the presence of the Old Gods Who come forth now in triumph where we stand. May Magick, Mystery, and beauty be with us now, In this, the season of renewed Light. The season of the White Goddess and the Divine Child of lLght."

tarotbear	17 Dec 2001
The Yule Log Realistically, a log of Oak is brought in and burned in a fireplace. When the fire if run out, the remaining piece of Yule Log is saved to kindle the next year's fire. In reality, an oaken log with two holes drilled in it to hold white candles ( or a cake in the shape of a Yule Log) is brought in. It should be placed in the center of the table holding the cakes and ale, and the candles lit from the altar candles. "Let Us celebrate the Waxing of the Light!" This 'partaking' can be solemn or boisterous. A plate of cakes is passed deosil (clockwise) and everyone takes one but does not eat it until all are ready. A cup of (wine, apple juice, or whatever) is passed long the same way. Once this is completed, many people partake of the food- buffet style. This is a time for celebration! Music and dancing within the circle is encouraged. When this has wound itself down, the food is cleared and the circle is ready to be dismissed clockwise from the East.

tarotbear	20 Dec 2001
We thank thee great Lady and newborn God. This birth in the dead of winter ushers forth the promise of Spring and Summer to come. Thank thee for attending our rite. Hail and farewell! All face East: We thank thee, skies of wind and storm, And give our blessings to thy far realms. Blessed be! Response: Blessed Be! All face South: We thank thee, far desert lands and places warm, And give our blessings to thy far realms. Blessed Be! Response: Blessed Be! All face West: We thank thee, crystalline lakes and streams, And give our blessings to thy far realms. Blessed Be! Response: Blessed Be! All face North: We thank thee, lands of endless snow, And give our blessings to thy far realms. Blessed Be! Response: Blessed Be! This Solstice Rite is now ended. So Mote it be! Response : So Mote It Be!

tarotbear	20 Dec 2001
I wish to thank everyone who participated in our yule 'Ritual to Go'. Blessed Yule and Blessed be! {Remember - Candlemas/Imbolc is February 2, 2002. We barely made it on time for Yule! I still feel that this Sabbat might be better run by a female ringmaster, so don't forget- it needs to start in about 3-4 weeks at the latest!}

jade	20 Dec 2001
jade comes running into the center of the closed circle with a huge bowl of organic popped popcorn.......she throws it up into the air (not the bowl LOL) and uses it as confetti................... singing happy birthday to the sun and yelling blessed yule to everyone!!!

Major Tom	20 Dec 2001
Gosh! That finished in a rush! :o I brought this beer I made - try some. :-) You can see the label on my profile. I must warn you to pour carefully - this is real ale - it's alive - there's some yeast deposit at the bottom of the bottle. I think it tastes a bit of chocolate. :D

Kiama	21 Dec 2001
Major Tom: I LOVE the label! *Singing* Happy birthday to Him! Happy birthday to Him! Happy birthday to the Sun! Happy birthday to Him! Kiama

jade	26 Dec 2001
here it is. love jade

The YULE TO GO - The Ritual Begins thread was originally posted on 08 Dec 2001 in the Spirituality board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Spirituality, or read more archived threads.