Yule Ritual For Solitary; Easily adapted for Group Ritual -by StormWing, ©1996 - 2021
Yule/Winter Solstice is celebrated December 19 - 23 for Northern Hemisphere and June 19 -23 for Southern Hemisphere. The Sun (in the Northern Hemisphere), at it's low time, the shortest day, longest night. A celebration known as Yule, Winter Solstice and even called Christmas. The cold and dark are celebrated as the Sun slowly begins to return.
Preparation & Set Up
This Ritual shall be performed during the evening hours, sometime after Sunset. Sweep area, starting in the North and moving deosil, with your magickal broom to cleanse the Circle area and "sweep away" any lingering negative energies. Set up the Quarter candles (North-Green, East-Yellow, South-Red, West-Blue) and/or other items symbolizing the elements at the Four Quarters.
Set up your altar as desired, and face it to the North, covering it with a red or green altar cloth. Place all of the items listed below in their proper places upon it. For this ceremony, decorate the altar with holly, mistletoe, evergreen, pine cones, ivy, berries, ribbons, and whatever else feels right. Having a Yule Tree nearby the altar will add a lot to the ritual.
Along with your usual ritual tools and items, have upon the altar:
- Red or Green Altar Cloth
- Holly Sprig (placed upon the altar)
- Mistletoe Sprig (placed underneath the altar, for use later)
- Three Candles in Holders for the Triple Goddess (1 White, 1 Red, and 1 Black - arranged around the Cauldron)
- Cauldron with a Green Candle inside
- Incense - Any of the following either alone or mixed together to make a Winter Blend: Cinnamon, Myrrh, Cloves, Frankincense, Aloes Wood, and Saffron
When all is set up, take a shower or bath for purification and don your Ritual Robe or other ritual attire. Be sure to wear your Magickal jewelry, if you have any. Sit quietly and meditate for a little while - to ground and center. When you feel ready to begin, play some quiet peaceful music for the ritual.
The Ritual
Cast the Circle... Light the God and Goddess candles. Leave all the other candles unlit until the appropriate time within the ritual. Have the green candle placed inside the Cauldron, surrounded by the white, red, and black candles. Also have the sprig of Holly upon the altar, and the Mistletoe sprig tucked away underneath the altar. Sit quietly meditating within the cast Circle for a little while... When you feel ready, begin your ceremony with these words:
"Blessed be the season of Yule. This is the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year. Darkness reigns triumphant, yet gives way and changes to Light. The Sun King has gone into the realms of Death --- yet, within the Sacred Cauldron of Rebirth, he is once again transformed into the Newborn Divine Child of Light. Blessed be the young Virgin Goddess who gives to her people tonight a Newborn God. Blessed be the Newborn Sun King."
Pause and reflect on the meaning of this spoke in the Wheel of the Year for a few moments, then continue... saying:
"All is cold, and I await the coming of Dawn. As the Sun rises, the Triple Goddess once more gives birth to the Divine Child. In silence and wonder I stand before the Sacred Cauldron of Rebirth, knowing that one day I too must pass through the Cauldron to be reborn. For this I now give honor to the Triple Goddess."
Light the White candle near the Cauldron, saying:
"White is for the Maiden. Blessed be the Virgin, innocent and fresh. May you plant your seeds of joy and new beginnings within my life."
Light the Red candle near the Cauldron, saying:
"Red is for the Mother. Blessed be the Mother, fertile and loving. May you grant me gifts of creative ideas and the strength to bring them to completion."
Light the Black candle near the Cauldron, saying:
"Black is for the Crone. Blessed be the Crone, powerful and wise. May you give me wisdom to understand the Magickal Mysteries."
Light the Green candle inside the Cauldron, saying:
"Green is for the Newborn Lord of the Forests, the Divine Sun Child who comes once more into the world. I welcome you, Child and Consort of the Triple Goddess."
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."
Take up your Athame and banish the Old Year by drawing a banishing Pentagram in the air, saying:
"Farewell to the Old Year. Farewell to the Holly King."
Now draw an invoking Pentagram in the air and say these words:
"Welcome to the New Year. Welcome to the Oak King."
When you are done, replace your Athame on the altar.
Next, remove the Holly from the altar and place it out of sight. Then place the Mistletoe, the symbol of the Oak King, on top of the altar in a place of honor. Say these words:
"Blessed be the King of the Waxing Year. I pray you will guide your children safely through to the season of warmth and light."
Take the Goddess candle in your left hand and the God candle in your right, saying these words:
"Tonight the Goddess and God are reunited. Tonight Life begins anew, and Light begins anew. Blessed be the One Light. Blessed be the Divine Force of Creation."
Move the candle flames together so that they are one. Spend a moment reflecting on its meaning, and then replace the candles side by side on the altar. Continue with these words:
"Hail, O God of the Woodlands and New Life! I give you honor and ask your blessing."
Sit in silence to receive His blessing... then continue, saying:
"Hail, Triple Goddess, bringer of Light out of Darkness and New Life out of the Cauldron of Rebirth. I give you honor and ask your blessing."
Again sit in silence to receive Her blessing. Drink from the Chalice, pour a Libation to the Lord and the Lady and save some to be put outside for the little people.
When you are finished, proceed with the Cakes and Ale Ceremony. followed by Releasing the Circle in your usual manner.