Yule Introduction

Copyright Lady Bridget 1996


Yule, also known as the Winter Solstice, has so many traditions associated with it that there are entire books dedicated to this subject. Many of the customs will be quite familiar as they have been adopted by other religions into their practices, and that is how much of the tradition has survived.

Firstly, Yule, or the Winter Solstice, occurs when the Sun enters the sign Capricorn, and is at 0 ° Capricorn. Thus, Yule is a "minor" Sabbat because it is at zero degrees, the beginning of the energy. This is the longest night of the year, at the darkest time of the year. In ancient times, it was believed that the Sun needed our help to return, so the people would light bonfires both to strenghthen the Sun through sympathetic magic and also to show the Sun the way back to the earth. Lighted candles in windows and lights on houses and trees (Christmas tree lights) are the leftover symbols of these bonfires, and are meant to symbolize and aid the return of the Sun.

This was also a season of the year when the herds were culled, as there was only enough food to feed the strong and young who would be needed to breed in the spring. Weak cattle who may not survive the winter anyway were sacrificed, or just slaughtered, and used for feasting, or salted and saved. They were also traded, along with many other items, for this time of year, many people had time on their hands. The hunting was harder now because of the weather, and there was no agricultural concerns going on in the northern areas, so people had time to create and make things. The gifts that some of us still exchange at Yule originally were from trading what one had extra for what one lacked. During the Kalends in Rome, January 1-3, handmade gifts were exchanged, and this tradition also took place in Egypt at their new year, where people exhcanged scent bottles and scarabs for good luck in the coming year. We still exchange gifts at Yule, the only rule we adhere to is that they must be handmade - and I have always been the lucky recipient of the most excellent crafted things imaginable!

The main focus of most Yuletide celebrations is the rebirth of the Sun, as this is when the Goddess gives birth to the Sun in many traditions. In addition to the theme of birth, we also have the theme of death, symbolized by the Yule log. The ancient druids worshiped the Great Trees, symbolic of the Gods, and often sang or chanted to them and poured libations to them, as well as made other offerings. The custom of "wassailing" is a descendent of of the druids "wassailing" the trees. The word means to "wish good health to" and at one time was associated with many other holidays, not just this one. The Yule log is also "wassailed", being decorated with mistletoe, holly, ivy, red berries, and bright ribbons, and having libations poured over it, and also being sung to, especially while it is burning. The Yule log symbolized the sacrificed god, since the druids believed that only the sacrifice of a Great Tree was strong enough to bring back the Sun. In Rome, their Yule log was expected to burn during the entire 12 days of the Saturnalia, a mighty Tree indeed! Pieces of the Yule log were then kept to protect the home and family throughout the coming year, and also used to light the following years log. This is the last traces of the Perpetual Fire that was once kept in honor of many Gods and Goddesses.

Many of the older celebrations were extremely baudy and a time for regular hierarchies in society to be turned around. During the Saturnalia, for example, slaves were allowed freedom, there was cross-dressing between the sexes and also between the classes. Inhibitions and prohibitions were mostly lifted, and drunkeness and lascivity were allowed. This kind of behavior was associated with many of the traditions celebrated at the Winter Solstice, and even carried through to the Middle Ages. So much so, that the Puritans in England, and in New England, forbid the practice of Christmas, saying that it was a Pagan holiday, and would not allow it in their religion. The Christmas season, as we know it, with it's high emphasis on the birth of Christ, on family reunions, and on gift-giving, is largely a product of our American culture, and is only about 150 years old, if that.

As far as the birth of Christ is concerned, prior to 354 AD there was no official date for the birth of Jesus. However, the Mithraic religion, as Chritianity's closest rival, celebrated the birth of Mithras on Dec. 25th. Constantine, the Roman emperor at that time, and more or less converted to Chrisianity himself (though not actually baptized until he was on his death- bed), was being pressured by the Christian priests to ban this Pagan holiday. Contstantine was a pragmatic ruler, by all accounts, and he knew that the common people would either revolt, or celebrate it anyway. He therefore decreed that Dec. 25th was to be celebrated as the birth of Jesus. The observance of this date as Jesus' birthday was not actually accepted by Christians except in Rome. The Bible, and the early Christians, were much more interested in Christ's resurrection, as proof of immortality in Jesus, than in his birth.

Today, almost the only Christian sect to oppose celebrating Christmas is the Jehovah's Witnesses, who rightly recognize that the traditions carried out are totally Pagan in their origin. Especially the Christams tree, with it's garland, lights, and ornaments, has it's roots in the Druid worship of the Trees. The garland represents the circle of life, the never-ending cycles of the Goddess, and also the snake, which is a sacred animal to the Goddess. The lights, as discussed above, add energy to the Sun, and are an encouragement for the Sun's return. Glass balls were to reflect evil, thereby protecting against the "evil eye", and also to reflect the lights on the tree (originally candles on the tree) and increase the effectiveness of their light. Candy canes are a reminder of the renewal of all life as they are symbolic of the maypole, with their red and white colors, which stand for the blood and the milk of the Goddess, the ancient waters of life. Ti1nsel and icicles are fertility magic also, representing the rains which will come to fertilize the earth in the spring. Bells were used to purify the air, and to summon the friendly spirits for protection. The star at the top of the tree is our own pentagram, representing the four elements of air, earth, fire and water, overseen by Spirit.

Holly and Ivy were seen as the male and fenale principles (respectively) and were believed to bring good luck and fertility to men and women. Holly, berries, pine cones, and acorns were all used to signify the God aspect at this season, while the wreath symbolized the Goddess aspect. As a complete circle, the wreath symbolized the circle of life, the wheel of the year, and the sacred cycles of the Goddess, and was usually decorated with the holly, berries, ribbons, etc. of the God, and so combined both aspects in one decoration.

Of course, mistletoe has come down as the plant most associated with the Yule season. Being a parasite, it only grows high in trees, where the seeds land after being borne on the wind. The Druids therefore believed the plant was put there by the Gods, probably by lightning bolt, or put there by the Sun. It was believed to have miraculous healing powers, be very strong good luck, and have many other magical and mystical attributes, and thus was referred to as "the Golden Bough". In Scandanavian countries, enemies would often be reconciled underneath boughs containing mistletoe, and any contract thus made could never be broken. Thus comes our custom of kissing beneath the mistletoe.

There are many other customs from many cultures, as was mentioned earlier, and these are but a few. The Yuletide season was celebrated in almost every known civilization, and many traditions have survived in altered forms from many different cultures. Researching these customs is both informative and fascinating, and will enrich your knowledge and understanding of both your own Pagan roots, as well as the roots of other religions. The bibliography to follow is just a sampling of what is available on this subject...Enjoy!


Bibliography:

"Green Egg" (Solstice Issues from different years) by Otter Zell

"West Country Wicca" by Rhiannon Ryall

"The Crafted Cup" by Shadwynn

"Eight Sabbats for Witches" by Janet & Stewart Farrar


Yule Preparation

Copyright Lady Bridget 1996


The Winter Solstice or Yule celebration presented here was one our coven did in 1994 and is geared for a medium to large size group. There are parts in it for several priests and priestesses to read, which can be written up on index cards and handed out before ritual. Each person then reads (or has memorized) their part in turn. Feel free to re-write this to suit your own needs and group!

We have always encouraged our children to participate in our rituals also, and there is a play for the children to do which has 4 parts. This play can also be performed by adults, but it is more of a child's performance.

We usually have a small gift for each of our guests, something handmade that pertains to this Sabbat. This year we made silver sprayed pine cones, and handed them out to everyone. They were collected and sprayed ahead of time of course, with the whole coven helping. You may choose to incorporate some other gift, or none at all, and if so, you will need to ignore, or rewrite that part of the ritual.

The Great Rite in this version, is not our traditional one, which I cannot share on-line, but is one which I found and liked very much for this Yule. Please use your own if you are more comfortable with it.

Decorate the altar with fir greens, pine cones, holly, mistletoe, etc. You will need at least one gold/yellow candle to represent the Sun/God. You may also want to use pine cones, a basket, costumes, etc. for doing the pine cone fairy play. Read over the ritual and decide how much or how little you would like to use. As always, a rehearsal is highly recommended!

Incenses to use are frankincense and myrrh, pine, cinnamon and cloves and nutmeg. Oils can be the same, but be very cautious, cinnamon can burn if used too strong, as can some of these other oils. When using on skin, cut them heavily with almond oil, or another light oil, since the scent is important only, and not the strength of the oil itself. Gold and silver are traditional colors for the God and Goddess, as are white and red, or red and green.

Blessed Be!


Rite of Yule

by lady Bridget 1996


Cast Circle in your usual manner

Ablutions - bless each other with the blessings of the Lady & Lord in your usual way.

(Call in the watchtowers)

Hail to Thee Guardian of the Watchtower of the East, the powers of water...we turn to you where the sun comes up, from where the power of light and refreshment come.
Everything that is born comes up in this direction -
the birth of babies, the birth of puppies,
the birth of ideas and the birth of friendship
Oh, Undines of the East, let there be light
On this Solstice Night. So Mote It Be !

Hail to Thee, Guardian of the Watchtower of the South, the powers of air...spirits of all that is warm and gentle and refreshing, we ask you to give us this spirit of growth, of fertility, of gentleness.
Caress us with a cool breeze when the days are hot.
Give us seeds on the wind, that the flowers, trees, and fruits of the earth may grow.
Give us the warmth of good friendships.
Oh, Sylphs of the South, let there be light
On this Solstice Night. So Mote It Be!

Hail to Thee, Guardian of the Watchtowers of the West, the powers of fire...where the sun goes down each day to come up the next, we turn to you in praise of sunsets, and in thanksgiving for changes.
You are the great colored sunset of the red west which illuminates us.
You are the powerful cycle which pulls us to transformation.
We ask for the blessings of the sunset.
Keep us open to life's changes.
Oh, Salamanders of the West, let there be light On this Solstice Night. So Mote It Be!

Hail to Thee, Guardian of the Watchtowers of the North, the powers of earth...we come to you and ask for the strength and power to bear what is cold and harsh in life. We come like the buffalo ready to receive the north winds that truly can be overwhelming at times.
Whatever is cold and uncertain in our life,
we ask you to give us the strength to bear it.
Do not let the winter sun fade away.
Oh, Gnomes of the North, let there be light On this Solstice Night. So Mote It Be!

(Invite the Lord and Lady)

HPS: Queen of the Moon, Queen of the Sun,
Queen of the Heavens, Queen of the Stars,
Queen of the Waters, Queen of the Earth,
Bring to us the Child of Promise!
It is the Great Mother who gives birth to Him;
It is the Lord of Life who is born again;
Darkness and tears are set aside when the Sun shall come up early!
Blessed Be!

(light the Goddess candle on the altar)

Everyone chants:
Queen of the Sun, Queen of the Fire,
Queen of the Stars and Queen of Night
Bring to us what we desire
Bring to us the Lord of Light!

(During this chant, 9 times, dance deosil, the HPS should stand out in the middle of the circle at the end with arms upraised and light the God candle)

Behold - the Lord of Light is reborn this night!
Blessed Be!

(HP then stands center to invoke the God)

We invoke Thee
Antlered Ancient One,
both Lord and Victim
of the Winter's Hunt;
giver of Thy flesh
for the love of our lives,
in this,
Thy season of Sacrifice.

We invoke Thee,
shape-shifting Solstice Stag,
Thy hoof prints brushed away by driven snow
as Thou guardest the pathways to the Invisible.

Winter-reigning forest-phantom,
be here among us
as we celebrate
this turning of the Solar Wheel!
Blessed Be!

(part 1- priestess)

Open thy ears to the voice of the Ancient God, the Father of Time, who is older than the beginning. Many are His names: Zeus, Dagda, Gog, Lugh, Osiris, Cernunnos, Ra: always He is the Great Father.

(part 2 - priest)

I am the Shining One; and my dominion is the golden orb of the Sun. After the darkness has soothed the Earth and rested it's people, it is I who bring forth a new beginning and a fresh awakening. My heat is the warmth of Life and my fire is the burning of desire in the hearts of my worshippers.

(part 3 - priest)

I am the wonder of the blue sky which lifts up the birds in flight. Hear my voice in the breezes and cool winds which whisper through the trees.

(part 4 - priest)

My dominion also is the green forest and fertile field, for I am the Lord of the hunt and the beasts of the wild are my children. When ye walk in the forest, feel my presence, for I am the life of every blade of grass and every walking creature. My head is crowned with twin horns, for I am the White Stag and in me is the spirit of the wild beast.

(part 5 - priestess)

Heed well the voice of the Horned God, for together we are the Twin Pillars which support the Universe.

(part 6 - priest)

When ye speak my name, do so with joy, for I am the divine King, reborn to lead my people into victory and prosperity.

(part 7 - priest)

I also am the Wise old Man, the counsel of years, ever surrendering the wisdom of experience. Within every man, I am manifest and my works are strong throughout the world.

(part 8 - priest)

I am the double edged sword, and my nature is two fold. for as I am the brightness of Summer, so am I the cold darkness of Winter. And as the Lady gives you birth, so am I the Dark God who in death returns ye to her. But fear me not, for in death of the body there is rest and peace of the soul. Comfort and consolation are my gifts, to heal the weary spirit after life's passing. Cast away sorrow and rejoice; for I am the keeper of the Gate of the Summerland, wherein the wondrous Garden of the Gods, ye are reunited with those who have gone before.

(part 9 - priest)

And herein is my greatest mystery, for as I am life that leads to death, so do I lead again to life, for it is I who brings ye to the Mother, to be born again of the Earth, for behold, life's eternal, and I am He that changes and yet remains unchanged.

(Great Rite done by HP and HPS using these words:)

As the Athame is to the Male,
So the Chalice is to the Female.
Here where sword and cup unite,
Witnessed by the sacred night
Within the charmed Circle's bound
Behold the Holy meaning's found
I am in thee, and thee in me
That is the deepest Mystery.
Blessed Be!
(kiss)
So Mote It Be!

The Children's Myth of the Pine Cone Faery

Narrator
woman
man
elf

Narrator - Many, Many years ago a man and a woman lived in a cottage near a wild forest. The forest supplied much of the couple's needs, but the man still had to work hard to earn money to buy the things that could not be found in the forest. But one day, the man became sick and unable to do as much work as he needed to do.

Man - My wife, I am sick. I cannot work today, I must lie down and rest.

Woman - I will help you.

Narrator - In order to help her husband, each day after she finished her own chores of baking and cooking, washing and cleaning, she would go into the forest to gather pine cones which she would take to the village and sell as Yuletide decorations.

Each day, without her knowledge, she was being watched. One day, the little man who had been watching her, came out and introduced himself.

Elf - I am the Pine Cone Faery. Why are you picking up pine cones?

Woman - I am picking them up to sell them to help my husband who is very sick.

Elf - Well, that's all right then. But be warned. Do not pick up any pine cones from under that tree!

Woman - I promise!

Narrator - Day after day, the woman continued picking up pine cones, but soon she had picked all of the best cones. She had gone as deep into the forest as she dared, but all she could find was a little handful of small and broken ones. The pine cones under the special tree were big and plump, and there were many of them. She knew she could sell them for a lot of money, but she had promised the Pine Cone Faery that she would not.

So she put her meager handful of cones into her apron and walked home. On her way, she met the elf again.

Elf - How is your husband? How is your pine cone gathering?

Woman - Not very well, I'm afraid. And I'm having a hard time finding enough pine cones to sell.

Elf - That's too bad.

Narrator - The elf scampered off, and the woman continued home. But that evening when she emptied her apron onto the table, much to her amazement and great joy, there were many big and plump pine cones, and they had all turned to silver! Naturally, she was able to sell them for a lot more money, her husband soon got well again, and they lived happily ever after.

(The end of the children's fairy tale.)

HP: Pine cones were symbols of the Faeries of the wild pine forest in Germanic countries, and the first molded glass tree ornament was in the shape of a pine cone. The pine cone and the acorn are both symbols of fertility and the cycles of rebirth, as well as growth, money, health, and protection. Our present to each of you is a silver pine cone to help bring these things into your life, and also to remind you of the promises that WE have also made to the Faeries of the Forests, and to our Mother, the Earth.

(At this time, have each person put their presents under the tree, and let all come up and circle the tree in groups of seven, and pick out one present. Have a couple of extras just in case, and have a few just for young children also.)

(Each person should then open their gift and let the one who made it explain whatever they want to and be thanked.)

Yule-Wheel Poem


by Seleneicthon

Slow and slow turns the wheel of the year,
To the season of silence, cold, bleak and drear.
Hope is to be born, from the dark, wintry night -
The feast is prepared, and the Yule-log alight.

Round is the wreath, as the year turns round;
Green is the Holly - Life midst Death found;
The berries red as the Sunrise of Birth
Of Hope to the world, and joy to the Earth.

Bright Blessings of Yule! May they shine on your life!
May you feast, and rejoice, and set aside strife!
Hope and gladness be with you, gloom and misery fly
As we greet the Birth of the Lord of the Sky!

(Thank the Lord and Lady)

HPS: Goddess of the Solstice, the Great Mother who gave birth to the world and to the Sun, we thank you for your presence here with us this evening. Stay if you will, go if you must, may you always nurture us, your hidden children. Blessed Be!

HP: Lord of the Solstice, Lord of Life, the reborn Sun who will bring Spring back to the world, we thank you for your presence here with us this evening. Stay if you will, go if you must, may you always protect us, your hidden children. Blessed Be!

(extinguish the altar candles)

(Dismissing the Watchtowers)

Hail to Thee, Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East, the powers of Water. We thank you for being here this night of the Winter Solstice. As you depart to your mighty realms, we bid thee Hail and Farewell... and harm ye none on your way. So Mote It Be!

Hail to Thee, Guardians of the Watchtowers of the South, the powers of Air. We thank you for being here this night of the Winter Solstice. As you depart to your mighty realms, we bid thee Hail and Farewell... and harm ye none on your way. So Mote It Be!

Hail to Thee, Guardians of the Watchtowers of the West, the powers of Fire. We thank you for being here this night of the Winter Solstice. As you depart to your mighty realms, we bid thee Hail and Farewell... and harm ye none on your way. So Mote It Be!

Hail to Thee, Guardians of the Watchtowers of the North, the powers of Earth. We thank you for being here this night of the Winter Solstice. As you depart to your mighty realms, we bid thee Hail and Farewell... and harm ye none on your way. So Mote It Be!

(close circle)


Bibliography:

"Earth Prayers" edited by Elizabeth Roberts and Elias Amidon. pgs. 192-193

"Spokes of the Wheel" by Seleneicthon. pg.4

"Ancient Ways" by Pauline Campanelli. pg. 212-214

"West Country Wicca" by Rhiannon Ryall. pg.25

"The Crafted Cup" by Shadwynn. pg.250

"Eight Sabbats For Witches" by Janet and Stewart Farrar. pg.148


Email Lady Bridget at ladybrid@bc.seflin.org