(2003) WINTER SOLSTICE
YULE RITUAL

HP:  This is the eve of the Winter Solstice – the first night of Yule, the longest night of the year.   The sun is at the lowest and most southern point in the sky.  Tonight the darkness reaches the limit of its power over light.  From this night forward, the darkness wanes and the light will grow. 

HPS: This night, and the twelve nights which follow, fall in the space between one year and another, the border where the worlds overlap. All that happens during these days is mightier than at any other time of the year.  The Sun King has passed away and begun his journey through the Otherworld.  The world holds its breath waiting for the infant sun to be born. 

How have we prepared for the new light?  We have spent the dark months looking inward and being quiet. We have felt the Great Goddess, in her Crone aspect.  Now, we shall let go of those things which do not affirm life and love, and send them with the old sun to the womb of the Earth, to be born again as positive energies for us in the New Year. 

HP:  We survive, we endure, and we prosper because we depend on each other.   We share in the careful stores from all our harvests, which gives us physical, emotional, and spiritual sustenance. We keep the fires burning and affirm our support and love for one another.  But not only for each other, for we are interdependent with all of creation. We admire the animals and plants who thrive in winter. We honor them, and offer them sustenance, and wait, with them, for the coming of the spring. 

There are many tales concerning the solstice.  There are tales of the Holly King, who represents the waning year, being defeated by the Oak King who rules for the waxing year. Or of the mother goddess giving birth to the sun god, the child of light. A theme runs through all these tales:  the return of light, after the darkness – something most religions celebrate at this time of the year.  And so throughout the years, the shortest day came, and the year died.  And on this darkest night of all, people gathered, singing, dancing, to bid farewell to the old Sun King and to await his rebirth as the new infant sun.  The precursor of our New Year's Eve celebrations, this was once a holy rite.  Let us all proclaim together – Welcome Yule!

ALL: WELCOME YULE!!!

Invocation 

HPS: Lady, You who are the beauty of the snowy earth the white moon among the stars the mystery of the waters the desire in the heart of humanity.  We invite to you to come among us and attend this rite, for you are the soul of nature that gives life to the universe.

HP: Lord, You who are the freedom of the wild things the bright sun that lights the day, the mystery of the forest, the resolve in the heart of humanity.  We invite you to come among us and attend this rite, for you are the body of nature who gives life to the universe.

Calling the quarters 

East:   
Spirit of the East, Power of Air!
With your gifts of light and clarity
We hail you and invite you
To join our Circle
This Solstice Eve.
By the Air that is Her breath
Send forth your light
And bless us with your Presence! 

South:   
Spirit of the South, Power of Fire!
With your gifts of passion and love
We hail you and invite you
To join our Circle
This Solstice Eve.
By the fire that is Her spirit
Send forth your flame
And bless us with your Presence!

West:    
Spirit of the West, Power of Water!
With your gifts of depth and feeling
We hail you and invite you
To join our Circle
This Solstice Eve.
By the waters of Her living womb
Send forth your flow
And bless us with your Presence!

North:   
Spirit of the North, Power of Earth!
With your gifts of substance and life
We hail you and invite you
To join our Circle
This Solstice Eve.
By the earth that is Her body
Send forth your strength
And bless us with your Presence!

Consecration:

HPS: The symbols we use in this season affirm our connection and dependence on Mother Earth and the inherent connection to Spirit it brings us.  The ivy honors the Winter King and Queen, whose sacred tree is the Holly. The Druids have given us mistletoe for decorative and magical purposes; mistletoe grows atop the sacred oak-- the point nearest the sun. We welcome the spirit of Mistletoe and of Holly and Ivy to our altar tonight. 

Various traditions revere trees--evergreens, especially -- for their ability to stay green in the winter. We decorate them with all manner of lights and creatures to ensure the light's return and to celebrate the bounty of the year that is passing. The Yule tree is the center of the holy feast, the means of making the offering to the goddesses, gods, and ghosts as well as itself being a mighty spirit to whom offerings may be given. We welcome the spirit of this Tree to our circle tonight.

Many fire-customs are important at Yule-time. The best-known of these is, of course, the Yule-log, which must burn the whole night through with someone keeping Yule-watch over it.  Pieces of the Yule-log are then kept through the year and thought to bring good luck; one year's Yule-log should be kindled with a piece of the last.  This fire in the darkest night embodies the ever-living fire of the clan and the soul, the ever-springing hope of the worlds. We welcome the spirit of this Yule log to our altar tonight.

Yule Consecration

HP:  Of all the high feasts of our forebears, Yule is by far the highest and the holiest.  During the thirteen nights of Yule, all the worlds meet in the Middle: the goddesses, gods, and the dead walk freely, trolls and elves come into the homes of humans, and those folk who are closest to the Otherworld may leave their human selves altogether to become the riders of the Wild Hunt, or werewolves, or the embodiments of various of the wights that wander the earth at Yule-tide.  Modern society has tamed the symbols; however, the holiness and strength of this season prevails.

Tonight on the Eve of the Winter Solstice, the Sun King has reached the end of his reign and bids us farewell. The sun of the old year sinks now into darkness and to rest.  We are not frightened of this dark, for it is necessary for the Wheel of the Year to turn to Winter and then to Spring.  The old solar year has run its course and completed its cycle.       So, too, have some of our habits or traits completed their cycles and outlived their usefulness.  This is a time for shedding that which is no longer needed. 

Take a few moments now to consider which things you would leave behind as you go into the coming year.  (pause)    If you wish, take your bark and put in it that which is over for you or that which you wish transformed and come to throw it on the Yule fire. 

(After those have thrown their bark on the fire:)

As the old year dies away, so, too, will these old ways will fade into memory. Those things which we have finished in this cycle, be it emotions, habits, or workings, we give up now to the Sun King who will take them to the Summerland, there to be returned to the cauldron of rebirth.

Lighting Candles of Blessing

HPS: We have rid ourselves of the burdens and obstacles which hold us back and weigh us down. Let us now light our candles in the world and speak our blessings, reflections, words of wisdom we wish to share with this Solstice circle.

(Go around circle lighting the votives-each person stepping to center, picking a candle, lighting it, holding it while s/he speaks and then setting it down again)

Blessing of Cakes and Wine 

HP: This food and wine is the blessing of the Goddess and God to our bodies. Let us partake in it freely.

(As the cup is passed, the person offering the cup says, "May you never thirst."  The person receiving the cup replies, "I offer thanks to the God.")

(As the food is passed, the person offering the food says, "May you never hunger."  The person receiving the food replies, "I offer thanks to the Goddess.")

Thanks and Devocations 

HPS: Great Goddess, Mother Earth. Your presence had held us, protected us, guided us, and blessed us this night in our celebration of the Sun's return.  We thank for your many blessings, for your grace and goodness, for your beauty and wisdom.  Stay if you will, go if you must.

Blessed be!

HP: Great Lord, Your presence has held us, protected us, guided us, and blessed us this night in celebration of the Sun's return.  We thank you for your many blessings, for your strength and courage, for your light and your protection.  Stay if you will, go if you must.

Blessed be!

Opening of the Circle:

North:   
Spirit of the North, Power of Earth!
Your presence with us this night has anchored and strengthened us.
We thank you for your many blessings.
Stay if you will, go if you must.

Blessed be!

West:    
Spirit of the West, Power of Water!
Your presence this night has soothed and cradled us
and connected us to our first home--the sea.
We thank you for your many blessings.
Stay if you will, go if you must.

Blessed be!

South:   
Spirit of the South, Power of Fire!
Your presence this night has opened our hearts to life and to love.
We thank you for your many blessings.
Stay if you will, go if you must.

Blessed be!

East:    
Spirit of the East, Power of Air!
Your presence this night has brought the first stirring of the new sun.
We thank you for your many blessings.
 Stay if you will, go if you must.

Blessed be!

Benediction

ALL:
May the spirit of Yule
Remain with us all
For the whole next year.
May our obstacles and snares vanish
May our seeds take root and flourish
May we be blessed by spirit
Each and every one 

Now the circle is open, but unbroken.
May the peace of the Goddess be forever in our hearts
Merry meet, and merry part, and merry meet again.

                               —    Donna Hagen

                                   December 21, 2003

Copyright  2003, Circle of the Crystal Grove     All rights reserved

Winter Solstice 2006

HPS:

So the shortest day came, and the year died
And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world
Came people singing, dancing,
To drive the dark away.
They lighted candles in the winter trees;
They hung their homes with evergreen;
They burned beseeching fires all night long
To keep the year alive.
And when the new year's sunshine blazed awake
They shouted, reveling.
Through all the frosty ages you can hear them,
Echoing, behind us - listen!
All the long echoes sing the same delight,
This shortest day.
As promise wakens in the sleeping land
They carol, feast, give thanks,
And dearly love their friends, and hope for peace.
And so do we, here, now,
This year, and every year.
Welcome, Yule!

(The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper) 

ALL: Welcome, Yule!  (Pass out candles)   

HPS: Tonight is the longest night in the year.  We gather in the darkness to honor the Holly King’s sacrifice.  His time has come and gone and He falls into slumber once more, to await the turning of the Wheel for the next time he rules.  The Holly King is the Hunter, the God Who Rules the Underworld.  His face is Death and his breath the cold biting wind of winter.  Jack Frost is He, the severe God who instructs us in the lesson of mortality, whose unbending strength supports the world in winter’s grip.  He is Age and Knowledge, the Shaman whose wisdom is shared with His children.  He is the Storyteller.  He is the visible sign of the Divine in the world while the Goddess is in Her dreamtime.  He dresses in the weathered silver-grey of leafless trees and the white of snowfall.  He is the austere Father who must often be strict with His sons and daughters to teach them what they need to know.  We honor Him for all that He is and thank Him for all that He shares with us.  May He sleep sweetly until the Summer! 

Sleep well, O King! 

ALL: Sleep well, O King!  (pass flame from candle to candle) 

HPS:  We welcome the Oak King, the Lord of Light, who brings the golden sun back with tomorrow’s dawning.  He is the Farmer, the Tiller of the Fields and Keeper of the Vineyards.  His face is Life and his breath the warmth of the summer sun.  He is Pan and Dionysius, He who shows us growth and change.  He is the Mother’s most ardent lover and holds her body in his powerful arms.  He is Youth and Experience, the loving parent whose actions show us how to live fully.  He willingly stands in the shadow of the Goddess as she reaches Her fullest glory.  He wears the brown of the plowed fields and the greens of trees and grass.  He is the joyous Father who plays games, sings and dances with his children.  We honor Him for all the He is and thank Him for all that He shares with us.  May He be with us until the Summer!

Be with us, O King! 

ALL: Be with us, O King!  (Put all candles in one place) 

HPS:  The Winter Solstice, or Yule, is a Sabbat that very specifically honors the masculine aspect of the Divine.  It is the other side of the Summer Solstice, one more instance of the marvelous balance in the Universe.  Take a moment to think of the men you know or have known, men you are related to, men you work with, men who are your fathers, sons, husbands, lovers, brothers, uncles, friends.  Hold them in your thoughts and bless them for all that they are, all that they have taught you, all that they have done.  Honor them just for being a man, offering you a different point of view than you would have by yourself.  (Pause)

We could not know the Goddess except by knowing Her Lover and seeing Her through His eyes.  We could not know the God but for knowing the Goddess and Her love for Him.  They do not exist separately, but are forever and eternally two faces on one body, Perfect Love and Perfect Trust, complete only when they are together. 

We celebrate tonight with dance and song, with fires and feast.  The night is long but we shall see the sun once more and know that the Wheel turns.  We are born, live and die to be reborn again and again.  Thus it is with the seasons, each one passing in its own time. 

So the shortest day came, and the year died
And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world
Came people singing, dancing,
To drive the dark away.
They lighted candles in the winter trees;
They hung their homes with evergreen;
They burned beseeching fires all night long
To keep the year alive.
And when the new year's sunshine blazed awake
They shouted, reveling.
Through all the frosty ages you can hear them,
Echoing, behind us - listen!
All the long echoes sing the same delight,
This shortest day.
As promise wakens in the sleeping land
They carol, feast, give thanks,
And dearly love their friends, and hope for peace.
And so do we, here, now,
This year, and every year.
Welcome, Yule! 

ALL: Welcome, Yule!

Feast!

Copyright  2006, Circle of the Crystal Grove     All rights reserved

Yule 2007

Hopi "Soyaluna" Ritual

Winter Solstice 2007

(Gathering music and Feather exchange)

Greeting: 

~~Our celebration today is based on the Hopi tradition.  Their winter solstice festival is called Soyal or Soyaluna.  It lasts for both the day and the night of solstice and is a time for purification and blessings as well as marking the turning of the year.  It is also called the "Prayer-Offering Ceremony" because this is a time for saying prayers for the New Year and for wishing each other prosperity and health.

 ~~The main purpose of the ceremony is to call the sun back from its winter sleep.  Tawa, the sun god, has traveled far from the tribe and must be coaxed into returning.  There is also evil that does not want to see His return, as symbolized by the plumed black snake.  The people make offerings of prayer and meal to the snake to appease it so that it will not swallow the sun.  The warriors and powerful members of the tribe offer gifts to Tawa to entice Him back to the tribe.

 ~~Even in our modern world with all of its technology, even as different as we are from the early tribes of The People who lived very simply by our standards, we still know the long winter and the darkness of the solstice.  We also long for the return of the sun, for longer days and warmth that we do not have to provide.  In this, we join with our ancestors and all mankind is one, waiting once more for the light.

~~And so I greet you in the name of Tawa, the sun god, He Who Was With Spider Woman Before The World, our Father Sky.  I also greet you in the name of the Spider Woman, She Who Made Us All, our Mother Earth.  I bid each of you welcome and together we shall honor the Winter Solstice and call the sun back from its travels. 

Casting the circle: 

Water: You have noticed that everything an Indian does is in a circle. That is because the power of the world always works in circles, and everything tries to be round. 

Salt: The sky is round, and I have heard that the earth is round like a ball, and so are all the stars. The wind in its greatest power, whirls. 

Incense: Birds make their nests in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours. Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing and always come back again, to where they were. 

Inscribe the circle: The life of a man is a circle, from childhood to childhood. And so it is in everything, where power moves. 

Calling the Quarters:

          EAST (air): Brother Eagle, creature of the air, with your keen eyesight and noble bearing:
          we ask you to watch over our ritual; bless us with your presence and guard us from harm. 
          Hail and welcome! 

          SOUTH (fire): Brother Horse, creature of the fire, with your sparking hooves and rapid
          movements: we ask you to watch over our ritual; bless us with your presence and guard us
          from harm.  Hail and welcome! 

          WEST (water): Brother Snake, creature of the water, with your glistening scales and deep
          wisdom; we ask you to watch over our ritual; bless us with your presence and guard us
          from harm.  Hail and welcome! 

          NORTH (earth): Brother Bison, creature of the earth, with your love of family and endless
          strength; we ask you to watch over our ritual; bless us with your presence and guard us
          from harm.  Hail and welcome!

~~The circle is cast and we are between worlds, beyond the bounds of time, where night and day, birth and death, joy and sorrow, meet as one.

Invocation:
 

        HPS:  I open myself to the power of the Spider Woman, Mother Earth.  I welcome Her to our
        ritual and I light this candle as a sign of Her presence.  Welcome, Mother!

        HP:  I open myself to the power of Tawa, Father Sky.  I welcome Him to our ritual and I light
        this candle as a sign of His presence.  Welcome, Father!

 

Soyaluna Playlet

èChild: Mommy, why is it cold?

èMother: Because Tawa is asleep, far away.

èOld Woman:  I am hungry.  Where is my dinner?

èOld Man:  No dinner.  No food unless the hunters find the bison.  Tawa has gone and we are starving!

èThe People: Tawa tried to burn us with His warmth and so we danced for rain.  Now He has gone so far away, will he ever come back?  How will we live if He does not?  What made Him go so far?

èThe Shaman: I will seek visions to see if there is a reason Tawa does not return to us.

(Stares at candle…then snake rises up and dances.)

èThe Shaman:  My people, I have seen the snake that would swallow Tawa.  We must give it food and offerings so that it will not eat Tawa!

(Corn meal and pine nuts are placed in front of the snake, which seems to eat them and then lays down to sleep)

èThe People: We have made offerings to the snake but it is still dark, it is still cold.  Where is Tawa?

èThe Shaman:  I will seek another vision to find Him.

(Stares at the flames)

èThe Shaman: O mighty Spider Woman, who loves Tawa, tell me where we might find him, please!

(The Spider Woman is asleep in Her dreamtime but wakes up)

èSpider Woman:  Huh?  (snort) Oh, it’s the humans.  How do I know where He went?  He’s always traveling, always going somewhere.  You’d better send your warriors out to find Him.  He wasn’t happy at being asked to go away last summer and so it might take some convincing to get Him to return.  Got anything to give Him?  He likes that drink Dionysius gives him….snnnnzzzz.  (She goes back to sleep)

èThe Shaman:  Mother Earth has told me to send the warriors out to find Tawa.  They will take presents and drinks so that He will forgive us sending Him away and He will come back.

èThe Warriors: Do we really have to go?  We’re cold too…

èThe People: YES!  Now here, take these gifts and don’t come back without Tawa!

The Warriors “walk” around, looking for Tawa.  Finally they find him.  At first He ignores them but as they begin to give him the gifts, He slowly begins to walk with them back towards the tribe. 

èThe Warriors:  Hey, Tawa, we’re glad that you’ll come back.  Everyone is pretty cold and it’s really dark. 

èTawa: Hmmmph.  All you wanted was rain, so I figured, why hang around?

èThe Warriors: But we need you now, so…friends?

èTawa:  I don’t know…hey, is that some of Dionysius’ wine?

The warriors lead Him back to the tribe and everyone gathers around to celebrate.
 

Mysteries:

 ~~We have gathered today to mark the turning of the Wheel of the Year, to celebrate the Sabbat of Yule, the Winter Solstice.  This is the dreamtime of the Goddess; the Holly King is defeated once more by the Oak King and the entire world awaits the rebirth of the sun.  Every religion, every path has some sort of winter festival.  We all know that the Christians are celebrating the birth of the Son (optional spelling) of God; in Japan, Amaterasu is being lured out of her cave with a mirror to bring sunlight back to the dark earth.  This is the time of the week long festival for Dionysius or Bacchus, where our term Bacchanalia comes from.  This is also the festival of Saturn, a time when slaves were masters and the masters served them and where we get the Lord of the Misrule.   

~~All of our ancestors would be tired of the cold, the darkness, the sameness of diet as harvested foods were slowly being depleted.  There would be fear that these stores would not last until the sun returned to warm the earth into being abundant again.  Even hunting for meat at this point was almost not worth the energy it took, as the animals were sleeping or hiding and not in full flesh like they had been at the autumn hunts.  Starvation was a real and enduring fact for the tribes of ancient peoples.  We do not have any idea of how this feels in our modern, grocery stored-lives.  But our bones remember and if we open ourselves to the memories that are hidden deep within each cell, we can taste the reasons for fearing winter.  We miss the sunlight as surely as any primitive man.  We note the shortened days, we cook heavy foods like stews that our bodies don’t really need but old echoes of starvation encourage us to eat.  Everyone knows that many people gain weight in the winter and with gyms, home exercise equipment and a steady supply of “summer” type foods, there is no good logical reason for it except that lingering caveman mentality. 

~~So for a few minutes I would like you to stop and think about the abundance you do have.  A roof over your head; three squares a day and the next meal no farther than the fridge or a restaurant.  Clothes on your back, that you didn’t have to weave and sew; a job that provides you with income sufficient to meet your needs.  The fact that none of us carries a knife or bow and arrow to provide ourselves with food is abundance unknown by many.  While we can complain about not having wealth, we are truly blessed with much that great portions of the world today would consider being very rich—and would astound our ancestors.  By placing our lives into the Universal context, we can see the abundance we have been given, the truths of bounty and generosity from the Divine and we are thankful for all that we have.  (Sharing time for what we have received) 

~~Now we are going to make pahos, or Hopi Prayer Sticks.  The Soyaluna is the “Prayer-Offering Ceremony” and is a time for offering prayers of thanks or asking for help as well as making offerings to the gods.  Remember, we are coaxing Tawa back, so that the sunlight will shine again on us and our offerings may entice Him to return.   

~~The traditional method of making a paho is to use two sticks, no longer than a man’s middle finger; one with a flat side that is called the female stick and another one, which is the male.  They are bound together with cotton string and a little packet of corn meal and honey, held in corn husk is tied on.  You can add other symbols if you wish, using whatever you find here or adding later from something you have.   

~~A feather is also tied to the stick and this is where your feathers come in.  As you all arrived today, I had you choose a feather and tie string to it, thinking good thoughts and blessings on it.  Then I had you give it to someone else.  So now each of you has a feather that has been blessed that you will add to your paho.     

~~As you complete your prayer stick, you may approach Tawa or the Spider Woman to have it blessed so that you can take it home and place on your altar or perhaps in a window as a welcome to Tawa. 

While you are making your paho, let me begin our New Year sharing as I tell you the hopes I have for this coming year.

Blessing the Pahos:

HPS: In the name of Spider Woman, Mother Earth, I bless this prayer stick.  Let all sacred goodness pour forth and cover the creator of these prayers like the waters of the earth.  Let joy and contentment warm the soul and may the light of love always burn within.  Blessed Be!

HP: In the name of Tawa, Father Sky, I bless this prayer stick.  Let all sacred goodness pour forth and cover the creator of these prayers like the waters of the earth.  Let joy and contentment warm the soul and may the light of love always burn within.  Blessed Be!

Cakes and Ale:

HPS: Mother Earth feeds us with Her Body, giving us life and sustaining our mortal form.  I share with you this food that you may never know the starvation of body, mind or spirit.  May you never hunger!
HP: Father Sky feeds us with His Body, giving us life and sustaining our mortal form.  I share with you this drink that you may never know the thirst of body, mind or spirit.  May you never thirst!
 

Bidding Farewell to the Quarters: 

NORTH (earth): Brother Bison, we thank you for your presence this day and we honor you forever.  Stay if you will, go if you must.  Hail and Farewell! 

WEST (water): Brother Snake, we thank you for your presence this day and we honor you forever.  Stay if you will, go if you must.  Hail and Farewell! 

SOUTH (fire): Brother Horse, we thank you for your presence this day and we honor you forever.  Stay if you will, go if you must.  Hail and Farewell! 

EAST (air): Brother Eagle, we thank you for your presence this day and we honor you forever.  Stay if you will, go if you must.  Hail and Farewell! 

Thanking the God and Goddess 

HPS: I thank Mother Earth, also known as Spider Woman, for being with Her children in their celebration.  May we walk together within the light, forever.  This is my will,

All: So Mote it Be.

HP: I thank Father Sky, also known as Tawa, for being with His children in their celebration.  May we walk together within the light, forever.  This is my will,  

All: So Mote it Be. 

~~We have joined in sacred space to honor the passing of the days, to mark this day of the longest night and to welcome the sun back to our lives.  Winter is ending, spring will come again.  Let go of your darkness and open your soul to the light, knowing that you will bloom and flourish again. 

Now let us share blessings with each other:

All, to each other: May the Goddess and God bless you in the New Year. 

Opening the Circle: 

~~I open the gate, I tear down the walls; I pull back the curtain, I remove the sacred barrier and we are once more back in the physical realm.  Join hands, and say: “The circle is open, but never broken.”  (Sing) 

All say:  Merry meet and merry ye part, and merry ye meet again.