Yule Ritual

[blueangel]

I was wondering what rituals people do for Yule... this is my first Yule that I will be celebrating as a pagan so I was hoping to get some ideas from you more experienced peeps out there!

Thanks and Happy Yule!
:santasmil

[skilly-nilly]

I was wondering what rituals people do for Yule... this is my first Yule that I will be celebrating as a pagan so I was hoping to get some ideas from you more experienced peeps out there!

Thanks and Happy Yule!
:santasmil


We like to have interactive, simplistic celebrations that include our Catholic and neutral friends (with their enthusiastic consent). We are hosting a dinner on Sunday and will, after dinner, distribute noismakers to all to drive away the dark. Then we will toast the turning of the year in mulled cider, and circle-talk about the changes we want to come with the bright.

Nothing too ritualistic.

[Silverwolfthorn]

i think it's important that solitary celebrations of the Sabbats are personal to you. How do you identify with the concepts of Yule? What does it mean to you? I'm going to go for a walk find a quiet place where i wont be disturbed and light a candle and meditate, perhaps say a prayer. Whatever you dicide to do enjoy it blessed be and merry Yule xxx

[blackroseivy]

Hi, I'm a solidary Druidess who doesn't know much as to what is "traditional", especially seeing as my question on the subject ("So what's a somewhat ignorant solitary to do?") opened up the can o' worms as to whether or not it's even a holiday for us. For me it is; in Rituals & Magick I summed up my today's experience, & I intend to step between the worlds tonight with a bath, & perform a little candle-burning for a deceased friend (with a green candle that *she* made!). Then I'll meditate on what I want to come about in the coming year. That's me!! ;)

[celticfire]

call together everyone...do a brief description of what yule is and what it represents...then ask for those who represent an element to speak about it's representation during the time of the winter solstice.

then light candles (one spirit, two each maiden, mother, chrone - for everyone in the coven) and then the spirit completed as the Goddess to light the fire of the Sun God, being reborn. from there, take turns writing down the negative aspects of the past year or things we would want to change for the new year down and then lit the paper from the spirit flame (kind of like to banish the bad/dark/shadows of the past for a rebirth to the dawn). then light a colored candle in representation of yule/celebration beginning with the flame of the Sun God flame going around the circle, from one to another each lights the other one's candle. then have meditation and upon 'awakening' close with honoring the Goddess and God with an offering (i used red, gold, green ribbon tied to rosemary, holly, mistletoe and pinecones on a grapevine wreath; along with an bread and cider - to represent the apple).

blessed yule!

NOTE: i've been solitary for 15yrs and am only 'student status' with a coven for the past 4mths...i was asked to host yule and was terrified of doing anything for the first time with/in front of others. you could also use the same ritual above, in a solitary form.;)

[Raven Reed]

Each ritual we do is different. This year, the coven had a battle between the Oak King and the Holly King, with the Oak King taking the throne. He gave us each blessings for the coming year and we sang to welcome him. Sang songs and danced to celebrate the returning of the sun... Each person recieved a bit of wisdom or a blessing from the elements and the center. We had a present exchange with each person giving a blessing to the person who recieved the present.

[Romani Vixen]

I'm going to be doing a simple ritual. The main active component is to turn out all the lights in the house then light a fire. I have a fireplace and will keep it going for some time... I'll also be firing my new hearth spirit (a sculpture) in said fire.

A friend summarised the meaning of Yule rather well ... "Yay!! We made it half-way through winter and we're still alive!!!"

[Tigerlily]

Last night, I lit a candle (along with the other things on my altar) and recited a poem/prayer about the cycle of rebirth....

And this boring when I woke up, I lit the same candle again.

[nia]

im a little concerned that there is a celebration o the new year being involved in the yule thing....new year happens at smahain, no? to each their own, i suppose. can see the new year ness of yule, too - the days get longer and we come out of the darkness.....maybe.

im going to be outside, with some form of bonfire, some huge pieces of rock, and some trees. and the rest will happen. general connectedness and thanks, and energy given to the land for the generation of a good harvest.
i wanted to go to avebury, but im now on the wrong side of the country (life conspired against me when i was in the right place), so at the end of january i shall make my pilgrimmage there, and do the same thing, but in a place of unbelievable power and history. yum.

[celticfire]

i'll assume you're talking about my ritual and observance. not all paths of wicca are the same, and yes, basically samhain is the ending of the year...but then i see the time in between as a time in darkness or shadows...stillness. why should this cause you any concern? it is my own observance...yule, although a 'minor' sabbat to some, is a very important time to me, personally. it is the time of rebirth, rejuvenation...RENEWAL. so then why should I not honor it as such with doing away with all the past...with banishing the negative energy that has lingered while the shadows have grown?

to each his own...her own...and all blessed be.;)

im a little concerned that there is a celebration o the new year being involved in the yule thing....new year happens at smahain, no? to each their own, i suppose. can see the new year ness of yule, too - the days get longer and we come out of the darkness.....maybe.

im going to be outside, with some form of bonfire, some huge pieces of rock, and some trees. and the rest will happen. general connectedness and thanks, and energy given to the land for the generation of a good harvest.
i wanted to go to avebury, but im now on the wrong side of the country (life conspired against me when i was in the right place), so at the end of january i shall make my pilgrimmage there, and do the same thing, but in a place of unbelievable power and history. yum.

[enchancea]

Im going to light the candles on my altar and meditate and say a prayer

[BrigidMoon]

I've lit several candles....Yellow for light and healing - dedicated to Aunt Ruth that has only one chemo treatment left thank the gods/goddesses. Pink for love and healing as well, light blue for house protection, silver to attract the mother and rid negativity and of course white. I will be doing a cleansing/protection ritual with my fiance and welcome the new sun king -- going to adlib a bit on that one and go with my heart as to what I'm going to say. I made a nice dinner as well :)

[nia]

im very sorry, i meant no offence.
i was not in any way criticising your ritual or beliefs - my understanding of samhain is as the ending of the old year and the arrival of the rest period, with the new year kicking in at yule or soon thereafter - i apologise profusely for having explained this poorly. i misunderstood your previous post, also, it would seem.

i did not mean a slant on your or your beliefs, just as i would not expect one from you for mine. we are each totally entiltled to our opinions and beliefs, and i did not in any way mean to encraoch upon yours. i was simply inarticulate in my reply.

NB im not wiccan.