Wicca Wiccan

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello, I am a newcomer to Wicca and am [slowly] finding my way – I wish I had the time I need to devote to my learning. Which brings me on to the reason for this posting. I would like to ask if anyone could help me out with a simple ceremony for the Winter Solstice/Yule suitable for a Solitary. Apologies too if I have blundered by combining both the Solstice and Yule – are they one and the same? Any help here or direct by email much appreciated. BB, David

Hi David, There are many groups who see Yule(Winter Solstice) in different ways. I think that depending on the continent you live on, determines the season as well. If you live in the same hemisphere that I do, it would signify the coming of Winter. Many people see it as sacred to Cerridwen and Cernunnos (if you like the Celtic pantheon), being an aspect of the Crone and the Lord of the Wood. Many see it as the sun being reborn, as the days become longer. Many people used this sabbat to ask the reborn sun to get them through the harshness of Winter. Whatever your take, it is pretty easy to create a reverent(sp?) environment for yourself and do the magick that seems appropriate for you at this point in your life. There are many books out there that have pre-written ceremonies in them for the sabbats, if any of them strike your fancy, don’t be afraid to adapt them a bit to fit your needs. Whatever the case, the best of luck and I wish you an excellent Yule! Lilly — Eastward sat the crone in the Ironwood, who farrowed there, the brood of Fenrir, of their get shall be seen, a certain one… He shall glut his maw with the flesh of men, and bloody with the gore… Dark grows the sun, storms rage in summer, weather’s a widdershins.

Response:

Many thanks for this. BB, David — ‘Eight words the Wiccan rede fulfil: an’ ye harm none, do what ye will!’ Visit my web site – Bloomsbury Cafe, The portal to my journey along the Wicca path! – The Bloomsbury Cafe URL is: http://www.bloomsburycafe.cwc.net/ – My ICQ is: 49716385

Response:

Yup Anytime

Many thanks for this. BB, David

– Talesin- The Bad Boy of Witchcraft ™ Never argue with an idiot. They will just drag you down to their level and beat you with experience ICQ 86535317 AIM Tales1n

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello, I am a newcomer to Wicca and am [slowly] finding my way – I wish I had the time I need to devote to my learning. Which brings me on to the reason for this posting. I would like to ask if anyone could help me out with a simple ceremony for the Winter Solstice/Yule suitable for a Solitary. Apologies too if I have blundered by combining bothYule Ritual the Solstice and Yule – are they one and the same? Any help here or direct by email much appreciated. BB, David

They are the same. Yule is the Anglo name given the Sabbat and Solstice is the more accurate astronomical name. I don’t have a Solitary ritual. This one covers the important aspects, see if you can adapt it: Yule Ritual  (Northern Hemisphere December 22nd: Southern Hemisphere June 21st) Preparation:  Let all be properly prepared and purified.  In the centre (or just south of centre) of the Circle stands the   Cauldron of Cerridwen wreathed about with pine boughs, holly,   ivy and mistletoe and therein is laid a balefire of nine woods:   rowan, apple, elder, holly, pine, cedar, juniper, poplar and   dogwood. The altar is decorated as is the Cauldron and bears two red candles  as well as an unlit red candle or torch for each covener present.  There should be no other light except the altar candles and those  about the Circle. HP casts the Circle, calling forth the Ancient Ones to bear witness. HP draws down the moon upon the HPS and then lights the balefire. HP then moves to the north, before the altar, as the HPS stands in the south with the coveners in a circle, alternately man and woman, about the Cauldron between them. The circle now moves slowly deosil once about the Circle. As each passes the HPS they kiss her upon the cheek; as they pass the HP, he hands each one a candle which is lit from the balefire. Coveners dance slowly deosil as the HP calls:            HP: "Queen of the Moon, Queen of the Sun,                 Queen of the Heavens, Queen of the Stars,                 Queen of the Waters, Queen of the Earth,                 Bring to us the Child of Promise !                 It is the Great Mother who gives birth to Him;                 It is the Lord of Life who is born again.                 Darkness and tears are set aside when the Sun                       shall come up early.                 Golden Sun of hill and mountain,                 Illumine the land, illumine the world,                 Illumine the seas, illumine the rivers,                 Sorrows be laid, joy to the world !                 Blessed be the Great Goddess,                 Without beginning, without ending,                 Everlasting to eternity.                 Io Evoe ! Heh ! Blessed be ! All raise their tapers high and repeat twice the last line. HPS joins the dance, leading it with a quieter rhythm. The burning cauldron is pushed into the centre and the dancers jump over it in man and woman couples.  The last couple over the fire should be well purified, three times each, and may pay an amusing forfeit as the HPS may ordain. Cakes and wine follows and, after the Circle has been closed, much merriment, feasting, dancing and games. — Talesin- The Bad Boy of Witchcraft ™ Never argue with an idiot. They will just drag you down to their level and beat you with experience ICQ 86535317 AIM Tales1n

Response:

Hello, I am a newcomer to Wicca and am [slowly] finding my way – I wish I had the time I need to devote to my learning. Which brings me on to the reason for this posting. I would like to ask if anyone could help me out with a simple ceremony for the Winter Solstice/Yule suitable for a Solitary. Apologies too if I have blundered by combining both the Solstice and Yule – are they one and the same?

Yule = Solstice, it is a solar holiday.  As for celebration the traditions vary some.  Most trads do refer to a yule log and the lighting of candles, (three having been cited by a few).  This is a day of the longest darkness, light often used to meet that darkness and perhaps to welcome/invite the coming longer daylight. I suppose it depends on how simple a ceremony you seek, I can offer one very simple one. On the day of Yule, gather with your friends and celebrate that this is the shortest day of the year, that winter  has reached it’s middle that spring comes but 6 weeks away, the time of rebirth of the earth.  If fire is not a problem,  light a candle, burn a Yule log, celebrate light at even the darkest times.  Share the time with friends. There is no set rule, what works for one does not feel right for another.  A web search on Yule should give you several ideas about how some have celebrated Yule in the past. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any help here or direct by email much appreciated. BB, David — ‘Eight words the Wiccan rede fulfil: an’ ye harm none, do what ye will!’

Response:

Hello, I am a newcomer to Wicca and am [slowly] finding my way – I wish I had the time I need to devote to my learning. Which brings me on to the reason for this posting. I would like to ask if anyone could help me out with a simple ceremony for the Winter Solstice/Yule suitable for a Solitary. Apologies too if I have blundered by combining both the Solstice and Yule – are they one and the same? Any help here or direct by email much appreciated. BB, David — ‘Eight words the Wiccan rede fulfil: an’ ye harm none, do what ye will!’ Visit my web site – Bloomsbury Cafe, – The Bloomsbury Cafe URL is: http://www.bloomsburycafe.cwc.net/ – My ICQ is: 49716385

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