yule

YULE

YULE
(Circa December 21)
The altar is adorned with evergreens such as pine, rosemary, bay,
juniper, and cedar, and the same can be laid to mark the circle of
stones. Dried leaves can also be placed on the altar.
The cauldron, resting on the altar on a heat-proof surface (or placed
before it if too large), should be filled with ignitable spirit (alcohol), or a
red candle can be placed within it. At outdoor rites, lay a fire within the
cauldron to be lit during ritual.
Arrange the altar, light the candles and incense, and cast the circle of
stones. Invoke the Goddess and God. * Stand before the cauldron and
gaze within it. Say these or similar words:
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.
Ignite the cauldron (or candle), using long matches or a taper. As the
flame(s) leap up say:
I light this fire in your honor, Mother Goddess.
You have created life from death; warmth from cold; the sun lives once
again; the time of light is waxing.

The Standing Stones Baal" of shadows
Welcome, ever-returning God of the sun!
Hail Mother of all!
Circle the altar and cauldron slowly, clockwise, watching the flames.
Say the following chant for some time:
The wheel turns; the power bums.
Meditate upon the sun, on the hidden energies lying dormant in winter,
not only in the earth but within ourselves. Think of birth not as the start
of life but as its continuance. Welcome the return of the God.
After a time cease and stand once again before the altar and flaming
cauldron. Say:
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!
Works of magic, if necessary, may follow. Celebrate The Simple Feast.
The circle is released.

Yule Lore
One traditional Yuletide practice is the creation of a Yule tree. This can
be a living, potted tree that can later be planted in the ground, or a cut
one. The choice is yours.
Appropriate Wiccan decorations are fun to make, from strings of dried
rosebuds and cinnamon sticks (or popcorn and cranberries) for
garlands, to bags of fragrant spices that are hung from boughs. Quartz
crystals can be wrapped with shiny wire and. suspended from sturdy
branches to resemble icicles. Apples, oranges, and lemons hanging from
boughs are strikingly beautiful, natural decorations, and were customary
in ancient times.
Many enjoy the custom of lighting the Yule log. This is a graphic
representation of the rebirth of the God within the sacred fire of the
Mother Goddess. If you choose to burn one, select a proper log
(traditionally of oak or pine). Carve or chalk a figure of the sun (such as
a rayed disc) or the God (a horned circle or a figure of a man) upon it,
with the white-handled knife, and set it alight in the fireplace at dusk on
Yule. As the log burns, visualize the sun shining within it and think of the
coming warmer days.
As to food, nuts, fruits such as apples and pears, cakes of carraways
soaked in cider, and (for nonvegetarians) pork are traditional fare.
Wassail, lambswool, hibiscus, or ginger tea are fine drinks for The
Simple Feast or Yule meals.

from Wicca for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham

more about Yule...

December 21st is the shortest day of the year and a time to look forward
to a hopeful new beginning. It marks the time of midwinter. January is
named for Janus, the Roman God of doors and new beginnings. By
January 6th we begin to see the days getting longer!

The word "Yule" means wheel and the word "Solstice" means "sun
stands still.

Odin, the father of the Norse Gods was called Jolnir - one of the root
words for Yule.

It also represents light out of darkness and the re-birth of the SUN GOD.

Yule marks the "turning of the wheel" from the waning to waxing year.
We celebrate the rebirth of the Sun God and the renewal of the
Goddess of Spring.

Santa Claus derives his origin from the Holly King who rules this half of
the season. He is usually depicted wearing green and red robes
carrying a sprig of evergreen.

YULE LOG AND THE CHRISTMAS TREE

Yule trees pre-date Christianity. It was only until the rule of Pope John
Paul II (the Polish Pope) that a Christmas tree was erected in the
Vatican because (until then) it was considered a pagan symbol!

The decorated tree and Yule log are central to Christmas festivals and
echo the ancient custom of bringing evergreens indoors. Greenery is
said to protect the household during the coldest periods of the year
when life can be fragile.

Lights on the trees go back to the time when bonfires were lit
encouraging the sun to return.

On the top of a Christmas (or Yule) tree is generally a star. Pagans see
it as the bright light of the sun returning. Christians see it as the nativity
star. We decorate our trees with red (representing the fire of the yule
log), silver (representing the Goddess) and gold (representing the God)
ornaments.

Trees were often hung with gifts for the tree spirit who resides within its
branches. Holly, yew, bay and rosemary are all evergreen trees. Their
green leaves were symbols of hope for new growth. They bring
messages of hope indoors during the long, cold winters.

Evergreen wreaths, being wheel shaped - represent the ever turning
wheel of the year.

The Yule log was originally an oak branch. Now birch is generally used.
Oak is said to burn more slowly and with great heat. When the Yule log
stops burning, a portion is kept in the home to bring luck for the coming
year and is used to start next year's Yule log.

The Yule log is used to dispel cold and dark through the year and bring
warmth back to the people.

Red candles that we decorate our homes with represent the flames that
rose from the Yule log in the hearth.

Oak, sacred to the God Thor, is decorated and brought into the house
encouraging the sun to come back into the world. Many trees grow from
a single pine cone giving the pine associations with potency, life and
re-birth.

If you don't have a fireplace, a single oak or birch log decorated with
greenery and inset with a red candle will do a nice job.

As Christianity spread through Europe, Yule was assimilated into
Christmas, as early Christians had to overlap pagan holidays to get
converts.

MISTLETOE

The Ancient Celts, Greeks and Romans attributed the magickal
properties of mistletoe to justice and love. Matters of law were settled
under its branches and those who passed beneath is exchanged a "kiss
of peace." This is where "kissing under the mistletoe" originated.