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Yule


Falling on December 21, the winter solstice, is the next sabbat. The days begin growing longer and the dark period begins to lessen. To Witches, now comes the birth of the Divine Child, the new solar year.

The Yule circle might be adorned with holly and oak, symbolic of the waning and waxing Sun, and evergreen boughs symbolic of rebirth. To celebrate the waxing Sun a Yule log is traditionally burned and its ashes kept as amulets of protection and fertility. The God is honored in his aspect as Divine Child and the Goddess as the Divine Mother.

Solitary Practice

Adorn the altar with evergreens such as pine, rosemary, bay, juniper and cedar. Dried leaves can also be placed on the altar.

Place a red candle inside your cauldron (If you do not have a cauldron, just use the candle and put it in a candle holder). Place the cauldron on your altar.

Cast the Circle and invoke the God/ess.

Stand before the cauldron and gaze within it. Say these or similar words:

"The long lazy days of Summer are gone
On this shortest day and night so long
Though the chill of Winter has covered the Earth
It is time for celebration on this night of rebirth!"

Light the candle. As the flames leap up say:

"I ignite this flame in Your honor, Earth Mother
You are the Giver of Life
The Sun lives again because of You
With pure heart, I welcome Thee, Sky Father!"

Circle the altar and cauldron slowly, clockwise, watching the flame. Say the following chant for some time:

"The wheel turns; the power burns."

Meditate upon the Sun, on the hidden energies lying dormant in winter, not only in the earth but within yourself. Think of birth not as the start of life but as its continuance. Welcome the return of the Sun.

After a time, cease and stand once again before the altar and flaming candle. Say:

"Sky Father
I welcome Your return
May you shine brightly upon Mother Earth
And always fill my heart with Your rays of light
So that I may continue to grow in Mind and Spirit
Hail Father of the Sky!"

Celebrate the Simple Feast and release the Circle.

* Adapted from the book "Witchcraft Today", an article by Pauline Campanelli, & "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner" by Scott Cunningham, and some of the Spoken Words were Personalized by Ambrosia Knight.