Yule Ritual

The Quarters

All hail the Northern darkened Earth resting deeply in silence and mystery. I awaken thee and call you here to witness this rite. Join us and be blessed.  [Colors: Brown]

All hail the Eastern skies of wind and storm. Bring with your winds the essence of pine and new growth. Settle here and witness this rite. Join us and be blessed.  [Colors: yellow or black]

All hail the Southern flames. Warm our hearts and bring with you the first glint of light as you witness this rite. Join us and be blessed.  [Colors: Red]

All hail the Western lakes and frozen streams. We welcome your waters as you witness this rite. May your waters soon flow warm and with bounty. Join us and be blessed. [Colors: Blue or yellow]

I invoke thee, o Lord and Lady. I invite you to attend and bless us. Our Circle is cast. (Light Silver & Gold Candles. You may wish to place these candles in a yule log)

On this, the longest winter night, we honor the rest only darkness can bring. We welcome the crone, in her wisdom, as we enter the time our land sleeps in its darkened promise.

For hail and well met, the Sun is reborn this night and brings the birth of new beginnings.

What beginnings do you wish to manifest in your life? The Suns rebirth brings transformation into our lives. Think about how your life can transform from the darkness...into the light.

Each of you, call your spirit guide. Join us and witness and guide us to new beginnings and growth in the coming seasons.

<Each call our guides>
I call the dragonfly whose power is in transformation. Help me to dig deeper into myself and reveal the emotions that lay dormant. I welcome your power of change as I adapt and form into a better version of myself.

If you do not know your guide, as that your guide attend you and reveal themselves. 

As we chase away the darkness so to I ask our troubles to go with the darkness. For with renewed light we have renewed life.

The Yule Tide Wishing Pot

Pick an oil such as pine, frankensense, juniper, sweet orange, or clove. In a large pan combine the oil and 1 cup water. Add orange peel, pine cones, poinsettia flowers, or evergreen needles to the water. (May prepare before ceremony) 

Brothers and Sisters, I ask you now to write one goal and one wish you would like to manifest into your life. Close your eyes and envision yourself manifesting this reality into your life as you place your wish in the wishing pot. (Dig a hole before ceremony in a sacred place)

Place the contents of the pot into the hole and say these words. 

I consecrate these offerings unto they mother's womb. May they bear fruit. Blessed Be.

All hail the Northern Earth, now lightened by the birth of our suns love. I thank you for witnessing this rite. As I release you, go in blessings of love and light.

All hail the Eastern Skies; now calmed and serene. I thank you for witnessing this rite. As I release you go in blessings of love and light.

All hail the Southern flames. As I extinguish your flame, your smoke continues to carry our words here today with you. Thank you for witnessing this rite. As I release you go in blessings of love and light.

All hail the Western lakes and frozen streams. May your waters continue to flow and nurture the land. Thank you for witnessing this rite. As I release you go in blessings of love and light.

I bid you farewell Lord and Lady. Stay if you will, go if you must. Blessings, Love, and Light to all. 

A favourite pagan holiday that you celebrate.

Hands down it is Samhain (Oct 31-Nov 1) that is my favorite Pagan holiday. It is the last of the Harvest celebrations and one I'm always looking forward to. It is a time to mark the death of the God and the coming rebirth. Samhain is a time to honor our ancestors. They say this time is the thinnest between the veil of this world and the next. Divination is often done at this time to see what the winter might bring and commune with lost loved ones.

Some of my favorite past experiences at Samhain have been a re birthing ritual. Until I moved, we joined up with Linda Tipton and her coven Circle of the Blue Moon to do a Samhain celebration. We were made to walk along a path lit by tea light candles alone. This walk was very spiritual for everyone. In the end of the path was Ms Linda doing one reading for each person. You could ask one question of her. At the end you were "reborn" to the new year. I loved doing this. And I think it really marked a changing point in my spiritual life. I'll keep what I asked to myself. ;)

But we've had our fun times too. I remember several members drinking a little too much homemade mead. My husband played the designated friend and made sure no one fell into fire pits. He picked up quite a few people passed out in the bushes!

One year, it was so cold at Samhain (We always camped out) that we had to leave. It really isn't smart to camp out at the end of October. That year it was bitter cold. We got to a point where Lance and I could no longer feel our feet even while standing next to the open fire. So we left, found a hotel and came back the next day. I got pregnant that spring, so we never did another camping in October; especially with the baby around. We did visit for the days however. When we returned to work we were laughing at ourselves and quite a few people heard the story. To this day there is a UPS worker who reminds us of camping in October when he sees us.

Samhain is just a great time to celebrate family, the death and rebirth of life, and the changing of the seasons. Its a favorite of many Wiccans and its not hard to see why. We dance, we laugh, we sing and praise the Lord and Lady. And we remember those who have left us this year.

Blessings, Love, and Light