winter solstice ritual

WELCOME TO WINTER

I hosted Spoken Word Salon in Ventucky monthly for over 5 years.

Our last reading was just before the winter solstice 2006.

These are my notes off various sources for the ritual we held:

ALTAR/ALTER set in north green cloth

Bring 6 candles, rosemary, holly, ivy, lemons, avocados

1. Yellow Cedar (Arborvitae) for cleansing and purity.

2. Ash, considered an herb of the sun, for protection.

3. Bay Laurel, to bring the light of the sun into the

house and ward off illness.

4. Blessed Thistle, an herb still used to cleanse the

blood, for protection, joy, and prosperity.

5. Chamomile, an herb still used for its ability to

soothe and cleanse, for love and purification.

6. Frankincense, an antiseptic herb, used symbolically

to bring purification and protection.

7. Holly, for protection and to symbolize the

co-existence of human and plant spirit and life.

8. Juniper, for love and protection.

9. Mistletoe, for healing, peace, and beautiful

dreams.

10. Pine, for peace, healing, and joy.

On this darkest of nights, according to some ancient

and contemporary traditions, the Goddess becomes the

Great Mother and once again gives birth. Thus, from

the longest, darkest night of the winter, there

springs the new spark of hope.

The winter solstice takes place on or about December

21 every year, and is the moment when the sun is at

its southernmost position. For those of us in the

northern hemisphere, this means that on the winter

solstice the sun rises the latest and sets the

earliest of the entire year.

The sun hangs low and weak in the sky during daylight

hours, and daytime shadows are the longest. Because

the day is the year’s shortest, the winter solstice is

also the time of the longest night.

Acknowledging this passage through solstice rites is

one of our oldest celebrations, dating back to the

dawn of modern civilization some 30,000 years ago and

practiced at one time or another by virtually every

culture in the world.

Many Native American groups held winter solstice rites,

including the local Chumash.

Possibly you too have seen some of their solstice rock art in

the hills about Ojai and Santa Barbara. Solstices Are very important

to them, and the winter solstice celebration last several days.

For ancient peoples, the winter solstice was an

awesome, mysterious, and powerful phenomenon and

represented the death of the old solar year and the

birth of the new. Yule festivities

marked this planetary turning point away from darkness

and the blessed return to light.

Some neo-pagans believe the dark nights of winter are

when the veil between the spirit world and the living

world is the thinnest. This night and this time of

year is therefore an appropriate time for

self-examination and meditation on hidden

energies–both the energies lying dormant within the

earth, and also those within ourselves. Yule traditions

celebrate nature’s renewal, and help affirm

our connection to the energy and power of the earth

and the cosmos.

Yule is a time of rebirth, of new beginnings and the

setting of new goals for oneself. It is a time of

putting aside regrets, resentments, and that which

causes us unhappiness.

Before we can rid ourselves of these feelings, we must know

them intimately: the season starts in the

silent darkness of the cold winter’s night; a time

when we cannot escape ourselves through pleasurable

outside diversions, a time of meditation and inward

thoughts; of recognizing the cold sorrows of the

season of barrenness as both those within the frosted

panes of our souls, as well as those raging outside

the frosted window.

CRONE looking at unlit candles

I sorrow not,

though the world is wrapped in sleep

I sorrow not,

though the icy winds blast.

I sorrow not,

though the snow falls hard and deep.

I sorrow not,

for this too shall pass.

Looking at the group, the Crone continues:

At this time do we know the dark of the year.

The season of life is past, and all is cold.

Emptiness and bleakness are all about.

In darkness we join to wait out this night

For the womb of the dark holds the birth of the light.

But the darkness of the season soon shall be broken.

(Crone lights 2 exterior candles using blue taper)

And new life be born once again!

MOTHER: In darkness do I learn and heal.

By this fire, my way to change I seal.

I light this fire in Your honor, Mother Goddess

You have created life from death;

warmth from cold;

The Sun lives once again;

the time of light is waxing.

Welcome, ever returning Sun!

Hail Mother of All!

Circle the altar and cauldron slowly, clockwise,

watching the flames.

YOUNG WOMAN first then MOTHER & YOUNG WOMAN then all 3 repeat

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

ourselves.

>> Honor childhood places

>> Honor elders and listen for them

>> Honor those who have passed on; re-establish your

bonds

>>Honor Green Standing People’s and see their “bones”

>> Honor the survival efforts and ingenuity of all living

creatures

>> Honor the stones who teach us to be

>> Thank the sun for staying longer each evening.

>> See the signs of growth, and rejoice in renewal.

>> Stand before your altar and candles. Say:

Great God of the Sun,

I welcome Your return.

May You shine brightly upon the Goddess;

May You shine brightly upon the Earth,

scattering seeds and fertilizing the land.

All blessings upon You,

Reborn One of the Sun!

Know that you are Blessed.