Sabbats Almanac: Samhain to Mabon - Kristoffer Hughes 2018

Ritual for Yuletide by Peg Aloi
Yule

DECORATE THE AREA WITH evergreen boughs and holly. If you can, tie a branch of holly so that is hangs from the ceiling; you can use a simple tack to do this. You could also place the holly in a vase and put it on a high shelf. Place a cauldron in the center of the circle, and a seven day candle inside. Each directional altar should contain some candles in votive holders, but don’t light them until you’re ready to begin. You can use votive holders or candles in the colors of the four elements, or all white candles to signify the beginning of the new year. White cloths on the altars will also reflect light and enhance the look of the greenery. Place statuary or other decorations on the altar as you wish but keep your design simple to allow you to focus your energy. Before beginning the rite, you can enter into a ritual state of mind while decorating and preparing your ritual area. Perhaps put on some instrumental traditional Yuletide music that you enjoy. Wear robes appropriate to the season: white for winter, or silver or gold, or red or green to symbolize fire and evergreen, two important images in this rite. Have some frankincense and myrrh resins, if available, on the Eastern altar in an incense burner on a charcoal block, and start this charcoal burning before you begin the rite. Cakes and wine, or other simple food and drink, should be on the north altar.

Before beginning, light one candle on each altar. Cast your circle as you normally do. If you don’t belong to any specific tradition, you may trace a circle with a knife, wand, sword or branch of evergreen, visualizing a circle of light and protection around the space. Some witches call upon particular gods or goddesses for their circle casting; you can do that now if you wish. This rite will call upon the Lady of the Woods and the Horned God as her Consort. If you prefer to use specific names for these deities that is fine.

When the circle is cast, go to the cauldron in the center and light the candle, saying:

The center is the place of beginning. May my/our inner flames be rekindled with the rebirth of the sun.

Go to the eastern altar and invoke the Horned God in his eastern element. (If you have frankincense and myrrh resin, now is the time to add some resin to the burning charcoal) You may finish lighting the other candles on the altar before or while you do this:

God of light and of dawn, of newness and hope, of inspiration and endeavor, be with us now and kindle in us the fire of creativity and new beginnings.

Move to the southern altar, and invoke the Horned God in his southern element. Light the candles, saying:

Horned One, consort of the Great Mother, God of forest creatures and wild nature, god who sets the head alight with flames, god of desire and the will, be with us now and kindle in us the fire of imagination and passion.

Move to the western altar, and invoke the Lady in her western element. Light the candles, saying:

Lady of the oceans and of the stars, whose tears wash us clean with rain, wise goddess who governs all mysteries of the world, be with us now and kindle in us the fire of curiosity and compassion.

Move to the northern altar, and invoke the Lady in her northern element. Light the candles, saying:

Lady of the Woods, of the dark places within and without, goddess who gives us birth and grants us death, bringer of all joys and sorrows, giver of wisdom, be with us now and kindle in us the fire of courage and awareness.

Now move to the center of the circle, standing beneath the holly bough (or holding it above your head or another participant’s head), and look upon the candlelight all around, and in the cauldron. (You can adjust this part of the rite for the number of people present) Turn in place under the holly bough, and say:

By the candle flames burning bright, I release the strife and sadness of the year before. By the green life of the holly bough, I enter the year ahead with joy. By the starlight in the winter sky, I look forward with hope. By the warmth of the solstice sun reborn, I move forward with compassion.

Repeat this three times, or as many times as needed. You may choose to recite this slowly while moving around the circle to raise energy, holding hands with others. You may choose to play some instrumental music at this time to enhance the energy raising, or not.

To ground the energy and end the rite, it is traditional to have cakes and wine (or bread and juice or whatever you prefer). Your group may have a specific way you always do this. One general blessing that comes in handy:

Bless this spiritual food and drink unto our bodies, bestowing upon us health and strength and love and joy and peace. So mote it be.

You can now open the circle or close the right according to your practice. It is enough to put the candles out and bless each quarter and thank the God and Goddess for attending. Some choose to leave some food and drink for the fey folk overnight. Bring some of the greenery into other areas of your home to remind you of the rite and inspire you during the winter.