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 Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 5:27 pm
December 19-21st
The date varies yearly "Yule is celebrated at the Winter Solstice, so it can vary slightly from year to year. This Sabbat celebrates the Winter Solstice and the birht of the Sun God. This day (Yule) is the day with the least amount of sunlight fo the year.
http://www.amysticalgrove.com
(this site no longer works)
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Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 5:29 pm
Yule Information ~On Yule darkness reaches its depths and the year begins its journey back to the light, this is the longest night of the year.
~Yule is one of the four Lesser or Minor Sabbats.
~It is, in the Goddess worship, the time when she gives fourth again to the birth of the Divine Sun child who shall be both child and eventually lover and father of the next child in the cycle. The Winter Solstice for Pagans is yet another time for feasting. It is a time for exchanging gifts (usually hand made) and it is the original holiday that the Christian religions modified into their own Christmas, even though Jesus was not born at this time of the year. It was moved to this date to help induce Pagans to give up their old ways.
~Traditional adornments are a Yule Log, usually made of oak, and a combination of mistletoe and holly.
~Yule is when the dark half of the year relinquishes to the light half. Starting the next morning at sunrise, the sun climbs just a little higher and stays a little longer in the sky each day. It is known as Solstice Night, or the longest night of the year. Much celebration was to be had as the ancestors awaited the rebirth of the Oak King, the Sun King, the Giver of Life that warmed the frozen Earth and made her to bear forth from seeds protected through the fall and winter in her womb. Bonfires were lit in the fields, and crops and trees were "Wassailed" with toasts of spiced cider.
~Children were escorted from house to house with gifts of clove spiked apples and oranges which were laid in baskets of evergreen boughs and wheat stalks dusted with flour. The apples and oranges represent the sun, the boughs were symbolic of immortality, the wheat stalks portrayed the harvest, and the flour was accomplished of triumph, light, and life. Holly, mistletoe, and ivy not only decorated the outside of homes, but also the inside of homes. It was to extend invitation to Nature Sprites to come and join the celebration. A sprig of Holly was kept near the door all year long as a constant invitation for good fortune to pay a visit to the residents.
Wassailed: A salutation or toast given in drinking someone's health or as an expression of good will at a festivity.
Did You Know:
-The Christmas tree was also taken from the Pagans and adapted, it was originally a Yule tree that was lit with candles and decorations of nature, eg: garlend of nuts and dried berries, garland of holly/ivy and pine.
-The best Yule gift is a handmade gift, preferably having something to do with nature and such. Like a twig picture-frame, or god/dess statues.
-The exchanging of gifts symbolizes hope for the future and the gift that the Lady has bestowed upon the Earth by giving birth to the Lord who is also the Sun.
-The yule log being burnt is a symbol of the Lord being reborn and the return of the Sun.
-MANY parts of the Christmas (Yule) tree can actually be eaten, with the needles being a good source of Vitamin C (fact found online)
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Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 5:34 pm
Yule Correspondences Symbolism of Yule:
Rebirth of the Sun, The longest night of the year, The Winter Solstice, Introspect, Planning for the Future
Symbols of Yule:
Yule log, or small Yule log with 3 candles, evergreen boughs or wreaths, holly, mistletoe hung in doorways, gold pillar candles, baskets of clove studded fruit, a simmering pot of wassail, poinsettias, Christmas cactus, lights/candles, gifts, spinning wheels, bells, mother and child images
Herbs of Yule:
Bayberry, blessed thistle, evergreen, frankincense holly, laurel, mistletoe, oak, pine, sage, yellow cedar, moss, bay, ceder, ginger, ivy, juniper, myrrh, pine cones, rosemary, chamomile, cinnamon, valarion, yarrow
Foods of Yule:
Cookies and caraway cakes soaked in cider, fruits (dried/fresh), nuts, pork dishes, turkey, eggnog, spiced cider, wassail, ale, sugar, nutmeg, roasted apples, orange, hibiscus or ginger tea, fruitcake, mulled wine
Incense/Oils of Yule:
Pine, cedar, bayberry, cinnamon, ginger, rosemary, frankincense, myrrh, nutmeg, wintergreen, saffron
Colors of Yule:
Red, green, gold, silver, while, yellow, orange
Stones of Yule:
Rubies, bloodstones, garnets, emeralds, diamonds, cat's eye
Activities of Yule:
Caroling, wassailing the trees, burning the Yule log, decorating the Yule tree, exchanging of presents, kissing under mistletoe, honoring Kris Kringle the Germanic Pagan God of Yule, lights, feasting, resolutions, new fires kindled, strengthening family & friend bonds, generosity, burning candles, Yule tree decorating, bell ringing sleigh bells
Spell workings of Yule:
Peace, harmony, love, and increased happiness, personal renewal, honoring family & friends, Festival of light, meditation
Deities of Yule:
Goddesses- Brigid, Isis, Demeter, Gaea, Diana, The Great Mother, Triple Goddess, Mother Earth Gods- Apollo, Ra, Odin, Lugh, The Oak King, The Horned One, The Green Man, The Divine Child, Mabon
Essence:
honor, rebirth, transformation, light out of darkness, creative inspiration, the mysteries, new life, regeneration, inner renewal, reflection/introspection
http://katybugdidit.tripod.com/id21.html
Animals/Mythical beings:
yule goat (Nordic), reindeer stag, squirrels, yule cat, Sacred White Buffalo, Kallikantzaroi-ugly chaos, monsters (Greek), trolls, phoenix, yule elf, jule gnome, squirrels, wren/robin
http://katybugdidit.tripod.com/id21.html
Dynamics/Meaning:
death of the Holly (winter) King; reign of the Oak (summer) King), begin the ordeal of the Green Man, death & rebirth of the Sun God; night of greatest lunar imbalance; sun's rebirth; shortest day of year
http://katybugdidit.tripod.com/id21.html
Purpose:
honor the Triple Goddess, welcome the Sun Child
http://katybugdidit.tripod.com/id21.html
Element/Gender:
earth
http://katybugdidit.tripod.com/id21.html
Threshold:
dawn
http://katybugdidit.tripod.com/id21.html
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Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 6:02 pm
Family Yule Ritual Because this is not a supper ritual we don't do the standard Circle casting and calling of the quarters for it. Instead we just establish sacred time and Welcome the Goddess and the God. The best part about this ritual is that the kids have such fun doing it.
SPECIAL NOTES: This is the Winter Solstice. Solstice means "sun stands still." This is the longest night of the year, the night that darkness rules. It also marks the turning though. From here on the days will slowly be getting a little bit longer and the light a little bit stronger as the Wheel turns back towards Springtime. Yule is halfway around the Wheel Year from Midsummer, which is the Summer Solstice. It's the first official day of Winter.
You Will Need:
Seasonal decorations
a bell
the Sun candle (we use a 9-inch yellow pillar candle)
a small votive candle for each person at the table (it's nice if your child can have their favorite color)
a safety lighter
Begin by having the children turn off all the lights all over the house, to simulate the dark of the year.
Be sure to explain to younger kids why you're doing this, before you start, so they don't get scared. If you have an upstairs have them start there first. Making sure you leave a light on on the stairs so they can find their way back down. Younger children will probably need an escort, since the dark is scary for them, even if this ritual is supposed to be fun. Work your way back towards the ritual table, turning everything off as you go. When you're ready everyone should be gathered around the table and the house should be in complete darkness, except for one candle to read by.
The Adult says quietly:
Tonight is the Winter Solstice
The night that we celebrate Yule.
Tonight is the longest night of the year
The night when darkness will rule.
Making sure the safety lighter is right at hand, the Adult blows out the last candle, plunging the room into darkness. Keep the little ones close so they don't get scared because the house will be very dark and very quiet. Sit there in the quiet and let the dark grow. After a minute the adult says:
But the light will turn this night
Click the lighter and let flame burn brightly for a second. Then end with:
To return
And turn the dark to light once more.
The adult then lights the Sun candle and says:
Tonight the dark time ends.
Pause for a moment and then continue:
Since Midsummer the Wheel has turned
Bringing us into the dark time.
But tonight the dark ends.
It is Yule, the Winter Solstice.
And from here the days will get longer
The Sun will start to grow stronger
Winter's hold will be loosened
And soon Spring will come back.
The adult lights his/her candle from the Sun candle and places it in the middle of the table saying:
The Wheel is turning
The light is returning!
Then each person at the table, starting with the adults and proceeding to each child from the oldest, lights their candle from the sun candle and repeats:
The Wheel is turning
The light is returning!
When everyone has had their turn and all the candles are lit, bask in the glow of the candle light. Now is a good time to talk about the importance of light to the different celebrations of this holiday season.
When you're ready send the kids hurrying through the house to turn all the lights back on -- and I mean ALL the lights. Every light in every room should be turned on (at least for a little while) to drive away all the darkness and shadows.
When everyone is back at the table the Adult says:
Winter is a time of darkness.
But it doesn't last forever.
It is only a stop on the Wheel
And soon the Wheel will turn again
And bring us back to Spring.
This is the lesson the Earth teaches us,
That no matter how dark it gets
The light always returns.
The night will always end
And a new day begin.
Now you can put out the Yule candles. The Adult goes first and says:
May the light of the Yule candles
Burn in our hearts
All throughout the Winter
And through the coming year.
Blessings of the Season on us all.
Each person extinguishes their candle (using a candle snuffer or long metal spoon for safety) in the same order they lit them. As they put it out have them say:
Blessings of the season on us all.
The ritual is over!Ritual courtesy of: http://www.goddessmoon.org/sabbats&esbats/yule/yule1.html If you want to find other yule rituals Google is an excellent place to find them smile
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Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 9:46 am
Yule Recipes Hot Spiced Wassail (non alcoholic)
4 cups cranberry juice
6 cinnamon sticks
5 cups apple cider
1 orange, studded with whole cloves
1 cup water
1 apple, cored and sliced
1/2 cup brown sugar
Mix juice, cider, and water in a large saucepan or crock pot. Add cinnamon sticks, clove studded orange, and apple slices. Simmer mixture for 4 hours, serve hot. Makes 12 servings.
Shortest Day Ham Loaf
1 pound ground pork
1/2 cup fine bread crumbs
1 pound ground ham
1 medium tomato, chopped
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
Mix all ingredients above and shape into 2 individual loaves. In a saucepan combine:
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup vinegar
1 teaspoon dried mustard
1/2 cup water
Bring sauce to a boil, pour over the loaves, place loaves in a 350 degree oven and bake for 1 hour, basting regularly. Makes 10-12 servings.
Recipe for Plum Pudding
1/4 lb. flour
1/4 lb. currants
1 tsp. salt
1/4 lb. sultanas (small raisins)
1 tsp. allspice
2 cooking apples, peeled, cored and chopped
1 tsp. ginger
1 ounce cut mixed (citrus) peel
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 oz. shredded almonds
pinch fresh grated nutmeg
Juice and grated rind of 1 orange and 1 lemon
1/4 lb. fresh breadcrumbs
1/4 lb. molasses (treacle)
1/2 lb. shredded suet
4 large eggs
1/4 lb. brown sugar
2 tbsp. brandy
1/4 lb. dried chopped apricots
1/4 lb. prunes
1/4 lb dates
Sift flour, salt and spices into a large bowl. Stir in breadcrumbs, suet and sugar.
Add fruits, peel and rind. Beat lemon and orange juice, molasses and eggs together and add to other ingredients.
Steam for 6 hours -- a coffee tin filled with the mixture and placed in a steamer in a covered pan does well.
A little vinegar and lemon juice in the water will prevent the pan from discoloration.
After steaming cover in a cool place and let age as long as possible - usually about 5 weeks.
To serve, re-steam for another 3 hours. Remove from tin, douse with warm brandy and set it ablaze!
If you haven't got six weeks before Yule to prepare a proper pudding a tinned one from Crosse & Blackwell will do fine. Just be sure to always heat the pudding first, no matter who made it, or all the warmed brandy in the world won't help. And don't forget the hard sauce!
Cocoa Snowballs
3 eggs 1 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup powdered cocoa
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 containers of white frosting
2 3/4 cups flaked coconut
Beat eggs, gradually beat 1/2 cup sugar into the eggs and set aside. Combine remaining sugar, cocoa, milk and butter in a pan and cook on low heat until sugar is dissolved and butter is melted. Remove from heat and add vanilla and salt. Pour egg mixture into that. In a bowl, put remaining dry ingredients and slowly add the cocoa mixture, beating all the while.... fill 30 , 2 1/2" muffin cups about 1/2 full and bake 20-25 mins at 325 degrees. Cool completely and frost bottom, top and sides. Then roll them in the coconut. Let them stand at room temperature until the frosting is firm, then serve or store in a container.
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/7039/AshlinCE.html
Stollen
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
2/3 cup warm milk (110°F / 45°C)
1 large egg
1/3 cup white sugar
1/2 tablespoon salt
1/3 cup butter, softened
2 1/2 cups bread flour
1/3 cup currants
1/3 cup sultana raisins
1/3 cup red candied cherries, quartered
2/3 cup diced candied citron
6 ounces marzipan
1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions:
In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes. In a large bowl, combine the yeast mixture with the egg, white sugar, salt, butter, and 2 cups bread flour; beat well. Add the remaining flour, 1/4 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition. When the dough has begun to pull together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead in the currants, raisins, dried cherries, and citrus peel. Continue kneading until smooth, about 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl, and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
Lightly grease a cookie sheet. Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the marzipan into a rope and place it in the center of the dough. Fold the dough over to cover it; pinch the seams together to seal. Place the loaf, seam side down, on the prepared baking sheet. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C), and bake for a further 30 to 40 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow loaf to cool on a wire rack. Dust the cooled loaf with confectioners' sugar, and sprinkle with the cinnamon.
http://www.netglimse.com/holidays/yule/yule_recipes.shtml
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Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 9:48 am
Yule Activities/Crafts Yule Log Hike
Materials: Warm clothing, sense of adventure
This is an activity that can be done the weekend before Yule. On a bright crisp morning, dress for the weather, head for a park, the mountains, the forest, the beach. Select a proportionally sized log that will fit easily into your fire place. Adh, oak, or cedar make great Yule logs. Try to find one that has already fallen and is on the ground. On the beach, driftwood can be found and obtained for your log. As you are looking or on your way back home look for natural decorations to adorn your Yule log with to make it personalized by each member of the family. Traditional adornments are. pine cones, leaves, holly sprigs, mistletoe sprigs, rosebuds, winter flowers, wheat stalks, and corn husks. If you must cut anything from a living plant, remember to ask and thank the plant for its gift. If you don't have a fireplace, select a smaller log, slightly flat on one side so it doesn't roll (or make it flat when you bring it home).
As you adorn the log explain how the Yule log was set ablaze on Solstice night to help vanquish the dark and add strength to the returning sun. Explain how logs used to smolder for 12 days before there was another ceremony to put the log out. Then a part of the log was strapped to the plow the next spring to spread the blessings over the land, and another piece was saved to light the next years Yule log.
Adorning/Creating the Yule Log
Materials:
Holly, mistletoe, rosebuds, pine cones, evergreen sprigs, gold string/cord, gold bows, apple cider, flour (for dusting), ivy, cloves
After cleaning the log let the children decorate it how every they choose. Glue, wire, or small holes in the log will help adhere the decorations. Once the log is decorated "Wassail" (toast and douse) it with a libation of apple cider. Finally, dust the log with.
If you have a fireplace now would be the time to place the log in the fireplace and have parents set it ablaze. But if you DO NOT have a fireplace you would then drill three holes in the top side to hold either: red, green, and white candles to represent the season) OR green, gold, and black to represent the Sun God) OR white, red, and black to represent the Great Goddess).
Sun Welcoming Center Pieces:
Materials:
Flat or bowled wicker basket, Evergreen Boughs, Oranges and Apples, Whole Cloves, Walnuts, Hazelnuts, Wheat Stalks, Flour, Red, Green, and Gold Bows or String.
Children of all ages will delight in both making and giving these delightful center pieces. Place the basket in the center of the table. Lay a couple of evergreen boughs (can be found at most Christmas tree lots) in bottom of basket so that the tips flow out from all sides. Spike the oranges all the way around with several whole cloves. Arrange the oranges and apples on top of the boughs. Arrange in a couple of the walnuts and hazel nuts. Place a couple of the wheat stalks standing up amidst the fruit. Lightly dust with flour. Tie bows to the handle and outside the basket. ( Tell children about each special part of the centerpiece. Explain that the baskets were used during the harvests during the season before. The evergreen boughs are symbols of immortality, reminding us that the Sun King is not dead, but reappears at Yule each year to lengthen, brighten and warm the days ahead. The oranges and apples are symbols of the Sun King, The nuts symbolize the seeds as they lay sleeping and awaiting the Sun King's return. The wheat stalks symbolize the yearly harvests and the flour represents the triumph of the forces of light and life.)
Sun Bursting Ornaments
Materials:
Ruler or Compass, Scissors, Thin Cardboard, Gold Foil Paper, Glue Stick, Heavy Thread and Needle.
Help child cut out a 4" cardboard circle. With this template, the child can then trace and cut out 14 circles from the foil paper. One by one, fold a circle in half, half, and half again. Unfold the circle and cut along the fold lines, stopping about 1/2 inch from the center. Repeat until all the circles are cut. Form the points of the Sun Burst by wrapping each of the eight segments around the point of a sharpened pencil. Point of pencil should face away from the center of the circle. Secure each point with a dab of glue. Thread a needle with 18" length of thread. Insert the needle through all the centers of the circles from the foil side of the first seven and the plain side of the last seven. Gently pull the circles together, bunching them into a ball. Tie off with a knot, and use the excess thread to form a loop for hanging the ornament. ( Hang up in windows to reflect the sunlight or on tree for decoration, explain to children how the sun gets stronger, climbs higher, and last longer in the sky each day starting at Yule.)
Welcome Sunshine Bells
Materials:
Thin Cardboard, Pencil and Scissors, One Light yellow and One Bright Yellow Felt Square (10"x10"), 7 Small Jingle Bells, 12" Gold String or Cord, White Glue, Buttons, Glitter, Sequins.
Help child to draw a circle 7" in diameter, and another circle 7" in diameter with eight 1" triangle rays on the cardboard. Cut out for patterns. Place circle on the light yellow felt square, trace and cut out. Do the same with the "rayed" circle on the bright yellow felt. Using a drinking glass as a guide, trace a circle in the center, on the back side of both felt cut-outs. Carefully fold each circle in half, and make a cut from one side of center circle to the other. Repeat 3 times for a total of 4 cuts per piece. This is how you will get the decoration over the doorknob. Next, line up the circles and the cuts so that the rays extend 1" from behind the light yellow felt circle. Glue together. Allow the child to draw designs on the front of the ornament with glue. Sprinkle with glitter and glue on some sequins and buttons. Cut gold string or cord into three 4" strands. Tie jingle bells (spaced) onto the gold string or cord. Glue string/cord to the bottom of the Sun decoration on the back side. Allow to dry. Place on a doorknob that the bells will jingle as the door is opened and closed. ( Tell children that more than just the sun brightens our lives everyday. Explain the way to welcome the Yule sun back into their lives is to keep the brightness in their hearts all year long. Jingle bells make a warm and inviting sound, and therefore should jingle each time someone enters or leaves a room.)
You Are My Sunshine Garland
Materials:
Pencil, Scissors, "Rayed" Circle Pattern (above), Bright Yellow Poster Paper, Glue, Glitter, Gold Garland, Gold Thread and Needle, Photos.
For each frame, trace and cut out 2 rayed circles from the poster board. Cut a 2" circle in the center of one of the cutouts. This will be the front of the frame. Decorate the cutouts with gold glitter. Place photo between the cutouts, with the face peering through the center circle. Trim photo to fit frame, if necessary. Glue the frame together. Allow to dry. Thread needle with gold thread, and poke needle through the top ray of the frame. Pull some thread through and tie frame to gold garland. Make enough Sunshine picture frames for all family members, including pets. Tie each to the garland, and place garland on tree, over a door, on the wall, or other prominent place. (Explain to children that each family member is like a piece of sunshine. Smiles and laughter brighten our spirits and warm our hearts.)
Cup O' Sunshine
Materials:
Terra-Cotta Pot, Paints and Paintbrushes, Styrofoam Block, String, Scissors, 1 yd 2" wide Green Ribbon, Yellow, Red, and Orange Lollipops and Sugar Sticks, Jelly Beans.
Clean terra-cotta pot if necessary. Allow to dry. Paint outside and down to first lip of inside with a bright solid color. After this base coat dries, decorate with other colors. When completely dry, place a block of Styrofoam in the bottom of the pot. Cut green leaves out of the ribbon and tie to lollipops with string. Push the lollipop sticks into the Styrofoam block to anchor them. Add the sugar sticks and fill rest of pot with loose jellybeans. (Explain to children that during the dark part of the year, sometimes we need to make our own sunshine. Let them know that bright colored gardens and flowers will be back in the spring, and this little pot of sunshine will cheer up a sick friend or relative.)
Dough Art Decorations
Materials:
4 cups flour, 2 cups water, 1 cup salt, Cookie Cutters, Wire Ornament Hangers, Acrylic Paints.
Combine flour, salt, and water in a large bowl. Dough should kneed easily but not be sticky, if so, add more flour. On a flat surface, lay down some waxed paper. Take a handful of the dough and roll out with a rolling pin. Cut dough into shapes with the cookie cutters. Make a hole in top of "cookie" for wire hanger. Place on un-greased cookie sheet and put in oven at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until *slightly* brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool thoroughly. Paint with acrylic paints. Allow to dry, place hanger in hole and adorn tree, packages, or hang in windows. (Allow children to make-up Yule stories to go along with each decoration they are making.)
Sunny Disposition Wreath (For the older kids)
Materials:
1-2 Large Bundles Evergreen Boughs, 1 Bundle Holly, 1 Wreath Frame (Wire or Styrofoam), Garden Clippers, Spool of Fine Green Wire, 2 Yards Red Ribbon, Adornments.
Cut boughs into 6" to 8" pieces. Same with Holly. Cut about 20- 15" pieces of the wire. Gather a bundle of boughs together, thicker at the back and fanning out in the front. Wrap wire around the bundle about 2/3 from the top. Hold bundle in place and wrap wire around the bundle and the frame. Repeat this step, only adding a sprig of holly in front. Repeat steps 1 and 2, adding holly to bundle every other time. Make sure that all the bundles face the same direction. Where the last bundle meets the bottom of the first bundle is usually barer than the rest of the wreath, so that is where you can attach a large yellow, orange, red, or gold bow to symbolize the Sun King. Now you are ready to wire on all sorts of adornments, candies, pine cones, rosebuds, seashells, small bells, or anything to make it more personal. (Tell kids about how evergreen boughs and holly were hung both inside and outside of the homes to extend and invitation to the nature sprites to join in the Yule celebration.) http://www.wicca.com/celtic/akasha/yulechildren.htm
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Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 9:51 am
Yule Chants/Prayers/Blessings Yule Chant
Brightly burned the Yule log tonight
Magic dances in firelight
Hold my hand and join the song
Raise the Sun King bright and strong
Dark is giving way to light
As brightly burns the Yule log tonight!
Solstice Blessing
On this night so long,
My Lady keep me in your loving care.
I await the sunrise
My Lady and the Sun King who will bare
Light and Warmth and Love,
My Lady as he has in years before.
So guide me to the dawn,
My Lady this Solstice Night and even more!
http://www.wicca.com/celtic/akasha/index0.htm
Now The Darkest Time Of Winter
Now the darkest time of winter
Fire is burning in the hearth
Still the cold trees.
http://www.bardicarts.org/chants/Sabbats/Yule/nowisthedarkesttimeofwinter.html
See The Sun Arising
See the sun arising,
See the sun arising;
Darkness is gone!
http://www.bardicarts.org/chants/Sabbats/Yule/seethesunarising.html
The Sun Child
The Sun Child is born!
On wings of the Spirit,
Now come ye forlorn for the Spring shall return.
The Sun Child is born!
Come every one hear it,
Come from every corner for winter shall burn.
http://www.bardicarts.org/chants/Sabbats/Yule/sunchild.html
Winter Solstice Sunrise
We are the Earth
We are the Moon
Come rising Sun
Lead us from the tomb
(Descants by Deirdre Pulgram Arthen)
The frozen Earth,
The pale, cold Moon:
Come, Solstice Sun.
(We are reborn)
This longest night,
This darkest hour.
Come bring the dawn.
(We wait for you)
http://www.bardicarts.org/chants/Sabbats/Yule/wintersolsticesunrise.html
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Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 9:55 am
Yule Carols Wiccan Wonderland
by Stephanie Barclay, Storm Bear & Jimmy Williams
Tarot cards are you listening Crystal balls are you glistening
The quarters are charged, we're wizards at large
We're walking in a Wiccan Wonderland.
In the meadow we will cast a circle and pretend that its a geosphere
We'll have lots of fun upon the altar Until and evil spirit chances near.
Later one we'll perspire And get drunk by the fire.
We'll dance without clothes 'cause nobody knows
We're walking in a Wiccan Wonderland.
All you Pagans come on gather round us Raise your chalice and join in our cheer We'll have lots of cakes until the Sun comes
And chase it with another keg of beer.
After all is said and done Bye to Spirits that have come
Please stay if you will or go if you must
We're walking in a Wicccan Wonderland
All Hail Ye, Simple Pagans
Tune: "Oh Come, All Ye Faithful"
All hail ye, simple pagans Gather round the Yule fire
Oh come ye Oh come ye To call the Sun!
Fires within us Call the fire above us
Oh come let us adore him! Oh come let us adore him!
Oh come let us adore him! Our Lord, the Sun!
Yea Lord, we greet thee Born again at Yuletide!
Yule fires and candle flames Are lighted for you!
Come to thy children Calling for thy blessing!
Oh come let us adore him! Oh come let us adore him!
Oh come let us adore him! Our Lord, the Sun
We Three Crones
Tune: "We Three Kings"
We three crones of magic-past are, Bearing gifts, we traverse afar,
Fields & fountain, moor & mountain, Following each our star.
Chorus:
Oh, star of wonder, star of might,Star of radiant beauty bright,
Inward leading, still proceeding, Guide us with thy magick light.
Gold I bring, the Earth's hidden gleam, Guards our Mem'ry, draws forth our dream; Weary-curing, strong enduring,
Holding time's circling stream.
Chorus
Frankincense I carry with me. Incense aids the spirit to see;
Analyzing, wise, up-rising, Sense of the Earth, flow free!
Chorus
Myrrh is mine, it's bitter perfume Lifts new life, a magical broom;
Praying, flying, purifying, Away with old lingering gloom.
Chorus
Glorious gifts of magic (wimmin) we praise, Maiden, Mother, Ancient of Days; Strength, and sense, and energy; whence Return to our sacred ways.
Chorus
Silent Night, Solstice Night
Ellen Reed
Tune: Silent Night, Holy Night
Silent night, Solstice night All is calm, all is bright
Nature slumbers in forest and glen Till in Springtime She wakes again
Sleeping spirits grow strong Sleeping spirits grow strong.
Silent night, Solstice night Silver moon shining bright
Snowfall blankets the slumbering Earth
Yule fires welcome the Sun's rebirth
Hark, the Light is reborn Hark, the Light is reborn.
Silent night, Solstice night Quiet rest till the light
Turning ever the rolling Wheel Brings the Winter to comfort and heal
Rest your spirit in peace Rest your spirit in peace.
Hark the Neo-Pagans Sing
Tune: Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Hark the neo-Pagans sing, Glory to the Holly King!
Peace on Earth and mercy mild, God and Goddess reconciled,
Hear us now as we proclaim, We have risen from the flames,
Our ancient Craft now we reclaim, In the God and Goddess' names
Hark the neo-Pagans sing, Glory to the Holly King!
Herne by highest love adored, Herne the ever-reborn Lord,
At all times behold Him come, Offspring of the Holy One,
Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see, Hail Incarnate Deity!
Our ancient Craft now we reclaim, in the God and Goddess' names
Hark the neo-Pagans sing, Glory to the Holly King!
Christmas is Pagan
Tune: Gloria in Excelsior Deo
Christmas time is here again, Decorations everywhere.
Christmas carols ringing out, Gentle pagans, we don't care.
Chorus:
Glorious! Christmas time is pagan!
Glorious! Christmas time is pagan!
Modern folks all celebrate What they learned in Sunday School.
In December, they don't know They are celebrating Yule!
CHORUS
Let them have their Christmas trees, Decked in red and green and blue.
We rejoice at every one! Christmas trees are pagan, too.
CHORUS
Bowls of bubbly Christmas cheer, Fill your cup and quench your thirst.
They think the tradition's theirs. Wassail bowls were pagan, first.
CHORUS
Every door and window bears Wreaths of holly, wreaths of pine.
Circles represent the Sun. Every wreath is yours and mine.
CHORUS
Christmas lights on Christmas trees, Candle flames burn higher and higher, Let us cheer along, my friends, As they light their Yuletide fire.
CHORUS
There's a possibility That this song is yours and mine
'Cause the tune was known to all Back in A.D. one-two-nine.
Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful!
Ellen Reed
Oh, come all ye faithful Gather round the Yule Fire
Oh, come ye, oh, come ye, To call the Sun!
Fires within us Call the Fire above us
O, come, let us invoke Him! O, come, let us invoke Him!
O, come, let us invoke Him! Our Lord, the Sun!
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee! Born again at Yuletide!
Yule fires and candle flames Are lighted for You!
Come to thy children Calling for thy blessing!
O, come let us invoke Him,O, come let us invoke Him, O, come let us invoke Him Our Lord, the Sun!
"O Holy Night, Pagan Style"
to the tune of "O Holy Night"
O Holy Night,
the stars are brightly shining.
It is the night of the Sun King's rebirth.
Long lay the world in darkness ever growing.
Til He appeared and the soul felt His Warmth.
The thrill of light,
the weary world rejoices
for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Rise up and sing!
O hear the glorious voices!
O night divine!
O night the Sun is born!
Dancing in a Wiccan Wonderland
"Alexander & Aarcher"
Pagans sing, are you listenin', Altar's set, candles glisten,
It's a Magickal night, we're having tonight, Dancing in a Wiccan Wonderland
Blades held high, censer smoking, God and Goddess, we're invoking,
Through Elements Five, we celebrate life, Dancing in a Wiccan Wonderland
Queen of Heaven, is in Her place, Triple Goddess, now the Crone Face,
Above and Below, She's the Goddess we know, Dancing in a Wiccan Wonderland
Now the God, is the Provider, Supplying game for our Fire,
Above and Below, He's the Horned One we know, Dancing in a Wiccan Wonderland
In a Circle we can light a Yule Fire, And await the rising of the Sun,
It's the Great Wheel turning for the New Year, loaded with abundance and great fun.
Later on, by the fire, Cone of Power, gettin' higher
It's a Magickal Night we're having tonight, Dancing in a Wiccan Wonderland
Moon of Silver
(We Three Kings)
CHORUS:
Oh, Moon of Silver, Sun of Gold, Gentle Lady, Lord so bold!
Guide us ever, failing never, Lead us in ways of old.
Maiden, Mother, Ancient Crone, Queen of Heaven on your throne,
Praise we sing Thee, Love we bring Thee, For all that you have shown.
Lord of Darkness, Lord of Light, Gentle Brother, King of Might,
Praise we sing thee, Love we bring Thee On this Solstice night.
These are just a few of the MANY carols out there, check out the site for MORE carols http://www.crystalforest3.homestead.com/Yulechantssongs.html
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Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 11:51 am
Stand in the rain, stand your ground...
This guide is awesome!!
I'm definately going to memorize the pagan "O Come All Ye Faithful"-- It's always been my favorite Christmas song!
Now when my family forces me to church, I can sing that instead! ninja heart
Stand up when it's all crashing down.
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