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The Old Ways

Teachings of the craft and the old ways


    A Yule Ritual

    AmythestMoon
    AmythestMoon
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    Posts : 48
    Join date : 2010-12-16
    Age : 38
    Location : In the Mists

    A Yule Ritual Empty A Yule Ritual

    Post  AmythestMoon Fri Dec 17, 2010 1:04 am

    Wiccan Yule Sabbat Solitary Ritual Guide

    A Yule Ritual Lg-share-en

    Supplies
    A Green Altar Cloth
    Altar Pentacle
    A Cauldron w/Lid or Cover Plate
    Mistletoe Sprig Wreath
    1 Black Votive Candle with a Holly Sprig Wreath around it
    1 Yellow Votive Candle
    1 Red Votive Candle
    1 Blue Votive Candle
    1 Brown Votive Candle
    1 Green Taper Candle and holder
    1 White Taper Candle and holder
    1 Gold Pillar Candle
    Athame
    Yule Incense
    Bowl of Water with a Pine Sprig in it
    Plate of Sand



    Preparation

    This ritual should be performed right after sunset. About an hour
    before, sweep the area moving in a deosil manner. Yule symbols, such
    as Poinsettias, Pine Cones, and even a decorated Yule Log nearby
    (if too big for the altar) add to the atmosphere. Place the proper
    candles and symbols at the four cardinal directions. Place the gold
    God pillar candle at right top of altar. Place the white Goddess
    taper candle at the top left. Place your Pentacle (or a plate with a
    Pentagram drawn on it) in the center of the altar. Place the black
    votive candle with the holly sprig wreath around it, inside the
    cauldron. Place your cauldron on the right side of the altar. Cover
    the cauldron with lid or cover plate. Place the green taper candle
    and mistletoe wreath where they will be behind you at the beginning
    of the ritual. Place the rest of your tools and props according to
    personal preference. Take a shower or bath for purity. Sit quietly
    for a period to ground and center. When ready put on some soothing music
    associated with the Sabbat and your ritual.

    Opening

    Step up to the altar and begin:

    "From
    the darkness is born the light. From the void, fulfillment emerges.
    The darkest night of the year is at the threshold. Open now the
    door, and honor the darkness."


    Take the
    lid/plate off the cauldron and light the black votive candle inside.
    Step back from the cauldron and give silent honor to the Holly King,
    the ruler of the dark half of the year.

    Casting The Circle

    Cast the circle, walking around the circle three times deosil:

    "Here the circle I do cast
    Call the elements to bind it fast
    Beyond the boundaries of Time and Space
    I create in here a Sacred Place
    Where none but love has entered in
    And with Love I now begin."


    Invocation Of The Elements

    Call the quarters, starting by lighting the yellow candle in the East:

    "Guardians of the East, Powers of Air
    I ask you convey your gift of thought
    To enlighten me with the wisdom of common sense
    Step forth from the darkness and
    Enter my circle, as dark gives way to light
    Bring along with you the essence of pine trees
    Remind me of Springtime
    As I face the Solstice Night
    Guardians of the East, be welcome."


    Light the Yule incense and place it on the pentacle.

    Light the red candle in the South:

    "Guardians of the South, Powers of Fire
    I ask you convey your gift of a warm and loving heart
    To spread love everywhere I go
    Step forth from the darkness and
    Enter my circle, as dark gives way to light
    Bring along with you the first glint of tomorrow
    Remind me of Summer
    As I face the Solstice Night.
    Guardians of the South, be welcome."


    Pick up the Athame and brandish it in the flame of the candle to reflect the light. Place it on the pentacle.

    Light the blue candle in the West:

    "Guardians of the West, Powers of Water
    I ask you convey your gift of strength
    To wash over me that I may always
    Offer a hand to those who need
    Step forth from the darkness and
    Enter my circle, as dark gives way to light
    Bring along with you bittersweet memories
    Remind me of Autumn
    As I face the Solstice Night.
    Guardians of the West, be welcome."


    Pick up the bowl of water, sprinkle water with pine sprig on the pentacle. Lay the pine sprig on the pentacle.

    Light the brown candle in the North:

    "Guardians of the North, Powers of Earth
    I ask you convey your gift of the joy of life
    So I can appreciate every day I have,
    And share that joy with all I love
    Step forth from the darkness and
    Enter my circle, as dark gives way to light
    Bring along with you the land that now slumbers
    Remind me of Winter
    And this cold Solstice Night.
    Guardians of the North, be welcome."


    Pick up the plate of sand and sprinkle it in a line around the other symbols on the pentacle.

    Invocation Of The God And Goddess

    "I welcome the God to my circle this Yule
    The Ivy King, the Winter King, the Sage.
    Bless my celebration and circle,
    Grace me with your presence this night.

    I welcome the Goddess to my circle this Yule
    The Mother Goddess, the Winter Queen, the Crone
    Bless my celebration and circle,
    Grace me with your presence this night."


    Step back from the altar for a moment and contemplate the seasons of
    the past year, and how their lessons have brought you to where you
    are today. When ready, begin again:

    "Dark my surroundings, and cold be this night
    But Thy labor, Blessed Mother Has reborn the Sacred Light
    The Child Divine, The most honored Sun
    Shall return with the sunrise
    Again, Two will be One."


    Remove the Holly wreath from around the black votive candle. Face the North and present the wreath, saying:

    "Powers of Earth, bid farewell to the Holly King!"

    Face the East and present the wreath, saying:

    "Powers of Air, bid farewell to the Holly King!"

    Face the South and present the wreath, saying:

    "Powers of Fire, bid farewell to the Holly King!"

    Face the West and present the wreath, saying:

    "Powers of Water, bid farewell to the Holly King!"

    Finally, in a clockwise motion, place the wreath behind you, to
    signify the passing of the Holly King. Bring forward the Mistletoe
    wreath and the green candle. Slide the wreath over the green candle
    and place the candle in its holder in the cauldron. Light the green
    candle with the black votive candle:

    "Hark! Behold the Rebirth of the King of the Woodlands!
    Behold the Oak King, strong and vital he rises!"


    Face the North, raise your arms and say:

    "Rejoice, O Powers of Earth
    Welcome the Divine Child!"


    Face the East, raise your arms and say:

    "Rejoice, O Powers of Air
    Welcome the Divine Child!"


    Face the South, raise your arms and say:

    "Rejoice, O Powers of Fire
    Welcome the Divine Child!"


    Face the West, raise your arms and say:

    "Rejoice, O Powers of Water
    Welcome the Divine Child!"


    Snuff the black votive candle and place it behind you. Turn back to
    the cauldron, close your eyes, and silently honor the Oak King.
    Begin again:

    "Awake now Thy Mother, Thy Lover, Thy Lady
    Awake now Thy Goddess of Life, Death, and Rebirth."


    Take the green candle out of the cauldron and light the white
    Goddess candle on the altar. Replace the green candle in the
    cauldron. Take the white Goddess candle with both hands and hold out
    at arm's length over the cauldron:

    "Awaken my Lady
    Look upon Thy Divine Child
    His rebirth while You slumbered
    Was subtle and silent
    The Stag King, the Green Man,
    Lord of Fertility
    Awaits Thy wakening
    Gentle and benevolent"


    Place the white Goddess candle back in its holder at the left top of
    altar. Step back and assume the Goddess position. In a bold voice:


    "All hail the Oak King
    His rebirth; a promise
    All hail the Divine Child,
    Giver of Life
    All hail the Blessed Sun,
    Reborn to the Mother
    For he retakes His throne
    At the end of Solstice Night!"


    Now is the time for meditation and any spell workings. Spell
    workings associated with Yule include those for peace, harmony,
    love, and happiness. Next celebrate with the Cakes and Ale ceremony,
    saving some for the wee Folks, outside.

    Thanks To The God And Goddess

    "Lord and Lady, I thank you for joining my circle this evening
    Bringing your love, joy and warmth to me.
    Stay if you want, go if you must.
    Blessed Be."


    Thanks To And Dismissal Of The Elements

    Thank and release the elements:

    "Carry sweet tidings,
    'round the world and beyond
    I charge thee as messengers
    Earth, Water, Fire, and Air
    Let all rejoice loudly
    In the Oak King's return
    Teach all that you meet,
    With the glad tidings you bear."


    Snuff each Quarter candle in a widdershins manner.

    Step back and face the cauldron and the green and white candles still burning bright.

    "Before my circle tonight I close,
    Blessings I ask for this hearth and my kin
    Tomorrow at daybreak, when I arise
    A special flame I will carry, within
    And a gold candle upon my altar I'll light
    Adding my will to the Sun King's intent
    To climb aloft in the vaulted skies
    And for strength back to me; three times, strength I've sent."


    Snuff the green and white candles. Take the Mistletoe wreath and
    place it on the other symbols on the Pentacle/Center Plate. Release
    the circle. Clean up, leaving the gold God pillar candle in the
    center front of the altar to light upon rising in the morning.


    Yule Incense

    • 2 parts Frankincense
    • 2 parts Pine needles or resin
    • 1 part Cedar
    • 1 part Juniper berries
    Mix & smolder at rites on Yule or during the winter months.

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